Urban waste management in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is a critical challenge for sustainable development. As populations and consumption continue to rise, so does the volume of solid waste, leading to environmental and social issues that directly affect cities. Managing solid waste is not only a logistical challenge but also a key strategy in combating climate … [Read more...] about Urban Waste Management for Cleaner Cities: Towards a Circular Economy in LAC
Karin Villarroel
Karin Villarroel is a Project Implementation Consultant at the IDB Cities Network in the Housing and Urban Development Division of the Inter-American Development Bank. She is an architect and urban planner specializing in cities and sustainable urban development, with expertise in development projects, urban planning and design, environmental sustainability, and transportation in cities. In her current position, she provides operational and technical support for dialogue opportunities to strengthen and enhance cooperation among cities in Latin America and the Caribbean. Previously, she was the head of the Urban Planning Section at the Municipality of Lo Barnechea in Santiago, Chile, where she led a multidisciplinary team implementing urban design and planning projects. Karin holds a Master's in Public Policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), a Master's in Real Estate Development and Investment from ESE Business School, Universidad de Los Andes in Chile, a Master's in Urban Project and a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC).
Recycling, Composting, and Air Quality: What’s Happening in Our Cities?
Cities in Latin America and the Caribbean are grappling with severe pollution problems due to inadequate waste management and poor air quality. In 2021, the region generated 230 million tons of municipal solid waste, half of which was not properly managed, leading to uncontrolled landfills and methane emissions (Alarcón, et al., 2023). Air quality is particularly alarming in … [Read more...] about Recycling, Composting, and Air Quality: What’s Happening in Our Cities?
How to Optimize Subsidies for the Development of Sustainable Housing Solutions?
Housing subsidies are financial aids provided by governments or private institutions to make housing more accessible to low-income individuals and families. These subsidies can include housing vouchers, direct rental subsidies, mortgage interest tax deductions, and funds for the development of affordable housing, thereby reducing costs and facilitating access to a decent … [Read more...] about How to Optimize Subsidies for the Development of Sustainable Housing Solutions?
Strategies to Promote Social Housing in Latin American and Caribbean Cities
Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) face a significant challenge in addressing social exclusion in urban environments. It is estimated that at least 105 million people in LAC currently live in informal settlements (World Bank, 2020), where one-third of households belong to the lowest income quintile. These neighborhoods are characterized by a lack of basic services and … [Read more...] about Strategies to Promote Social Housing in Latin American and Caribbean Cities
How to Finance Climate Action in Cities? Effective and Innovative Instruments for Latin America and the Caribbean
In the Housing and Urban Development Division of the IDB, we have organized the webinar series "Cities in Latin America and the Caribbean as Catalysts for Climate Action Post-COP28" to support municipalities in the region in understanding the opportunities and challenges of climate change management in the urban agenda, delving into aspects of governance, gender and equity, and … [Read more...] about How to Finance Climate Action in Cities? Effective and Innovative Instruments for Latin America and the Caribbean