International Journal of Development and Sustainability Online ISSN: 2168-8662 – www.isdsnet.com/ijds Volume 1 Number 2 (2012): Pages 120-134 ISDS Article ID: IJDS12071301 A case study of sustainable urban planning principles in Curitiba (Brazil) and their applicability in Shiraz (Iran) Ali Soltani 1* , Ehsan Sharifi 2 1 Faculty of Art and Architecture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran 2 School of Art, Architecture and Design,University of South Australia, Australia Abstract This paper investigates sustainability principles in the city of Curitiba, in Brazil, as a pioneer which has commenced its sustainability journey since the 1960s. Analyzing sustainability principles in Curitiba, the paper aims to study their applicability in the case of Shiraz in Iran. Considering the complexity of physical, social, cultural and environmental systems in urban planning, the research underlines the vitality of contextual studies, integration and implementation strategies in sustainability achievement in urban scale. It shows how and to what extent sustainability principles in a city can be adapted to other contexts. This comparative study benefits from interpretive methods of data collection and analysis based on primary and secondary resources. A theoretical framework of planning based on equity, economy and ecology is being utilized in data collection and analysis. The investigation indicates that Curitibaǯs sustainability agenda is based on a set of integration and implementation strategies which combine decision making, education, transportation, public welfare, heritage conservation and waste management. It is argued that although every urban environment has its specific opportunities and constraints, still there are many things to learn from others. Keywords: Sustainable City, Integrated Approach, Curitiba, Shiraz Copyright © 2012 by the Author(s) – Published by ISDS LLC, Japan International Society for Development and Sustainability (ISDS) Cite this paper as: Soltani, A. and Sharifi, E. ȋʹͲͳʹȌ, DzA Case Study of Sustainable Urban Planning Principles in Curitiba (Brazil) and Their Applicability in Shiraz (Iran)dz, International Journal of Development and Sustainability, Vol. 1 No. 2, pp. 120–134. * Corresponding author. E-mail address: soltani@shirazu.ac.ir