Urban planning and transport indicators

a comparative analysis of three Brazilian experiences

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18830/1679-09442025v18e59408

Keywords:

Indicator systems, Sustainable Urban Mobility Index (IMUS), Social Perception Indicator System (SIPS), Indicator Project

Abstract

This article compares three Brazilian experiences in using indicators for urban and transport planning –  Índice de Mobilidade Urbana Sustentável (IMUS), Sistema de Indicadores de Percepção Social (SIPS), and Projeto Indicadores from the Ministry of Transport. The assessment considers thematic representativeness, methodological structure, data-collection feasibility, measurability, and practical applicability in public management. The analysis indicates that IMUS offers a broad view of sustainable urban mobility but requires a large volume of data and lacks clear operational guidelines. SIPS captures citizens’ perceptions; however, its discontinuity and lack of standardization limit time-series comparisons. The Indicator Project stands out for conceptual consistency, a well-defined semantic network, and precise guidance, aligning with results-oriented management. The conclusion is that effectiveness depends on technical quality and the institutional capacity to update and apply data throughout the policy cycle.

Author Biographies

  • Carlla Brito Furlan Pourre, Universidade de Brasília; Faculdade de Arquitetura e Urbanismo; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Arquitetura e Urbanismo

    Architect and Urban Planner (ITPAC) and a PhD candidate in Urban Design and Planning at the University of Brasília (UnB), where she is a member of the “Novas Cidades” (New Cities) research group. She holds a Master’s degree in Urban Design and Planning from UnB and has complementary training in smart cities, geoprocessing, and spatial analysis from institutions such as Harvard University, ESRI, and the University of Groningen. She has participated in research projects such as Brasília Living Labs – Urban Efficiency Center and New Cities, Sustainable Cities?, developing frameworks that articulate indicators, spatial analysis, value chains, and evidence-based public policies. She is a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and a member of the American Planning Association (APA) and WTS International, in addition to serving as a reviewer for academic journals and as a volunteer lecturer in the field of urban planning.

  • Marcos Thadeu Queiroz Magalhães, Universidade de Brasília; Faculdade de Arquitetura e Urbanismo; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Arquitetura e Urbanismo

    Associate Professor at the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism at the University of Brasília (UnB), where he also served as Director (2019–2023), Graduate Program Coordinator (2015–2019), and Department Head (2010–2013). He previously served as a professor in the Department of Transportation Engineering and Geodesy at the Polytechnic School of the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA). He is an Architect and Urban Planner (UFBA), holding a Master’s and PhD in Transportation (UnB) and a Specialization in High Defense Studies (ESD). He was a fellow of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the Urban and Transportation Planning and Design course in Tokyo. He has served as a Senior Consultant for UNDP/INFRA S.A. and as a Project Manager at the Ministry of Transport. At CEFTRU/UnB, he participated in projects with the National Fund for Education Development (FNDE), the Institute for Applied Economic Research (IPEA), the Ministry of Cities, ESAF, and others, focusing on planning, mobility, policy evaluation, regulation, GIS, modeling, and simulation. He has published over 30 articles, books, and book chapters in the fields of transportation and urbanism.

References

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Published

2025-12-08

Issue

Section

Design and Planning