Here's a formula for successful cities: Keep it simple. Begin it now. Work with imperfection. Oh - and beat all those complexity sellers with slippers.

That's the advice of Jaime Lerner, one of the world's most successful mayors. His hometown of Curitiba, Brazil, became a showplace of livability during his three terms as mayor and then he spread his magic to the entire state as governor. Now, he is taking on the world, as president of theÊInternational Union of Architects, where he has launched an internationalÊCelebration of CitiesÊto generate thousands of ideas to improve cities. Jaime Lerner is our guest this week on Smart City.

Jaime was responsible for the creation of the Institute of Urban Planning and Research of Curitiba in 1965, where heÊparticipated in the preparation of the Master Plan for the city, then became its mayor for three terms. The result was the physical, economic and cultural transformation of the city, most notably its Mass Transport System, acknowledged worldwide for its efficiency, quality and low cost.

Elected Governor of the State of Paran? in 1994, Jaime Lerner promoted an economic transformation that made the state the new industrial hub of Brazil. He has helped draw urban and mass transport plans for Caracas (Venezuela), San Juan (Puerto Rico), Shanghai (China), Havana (Cuba), and is a United Nations consultant for urban issues.

Jaime Lerner is now serving a three-year term president of International Union of Architects. He named his term Celebration of Cities, in an attempt to start a worldwide movement to improve cities. He is the recipient of many awards including the UN's highest environmental award, the World Technology Award for Transportation, and UNICEF's Child and Peace award.

Also on the program is Jeff Speck, director of design at theÊNational Endowment for the Arts. Jeff is a man on a mission to conquer sprawl in America. He, too, is an architect, a New Urbanist, and co-author of the best-selling book, Suburban Nation.

Jeff Speck is Director of Design at the National Endowment for the Arts, where he supervises the panel selection and grant-making process in design, as well as oversees the Mayors' Institute on City Design and Your Town programs. Jeff is an architect, a noted New Urbanist and co-author of the best-selling book, Suburban Nation. He was formerly director of town planning at Duany Plater Zyberk.

We'll talk to Jaime Lerner and Jeff Speck on Smart City.