Housing is a fundamental human right and a key factor for human development. However, many households in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) face difficulty accessing adequate and affordable housing. One of them are those led by women, also known as female-headed households (FHHs). In a FHH, the primary breadwinner and decision-maker is a woman. They are more common than some … [Read more...] about How gender inequality affects access to housing credit?
Nora Libertun
Nora Libertun de Duren is a leading expert on sustainability, social inclusion, and affordable housing in urban areas. She has experience working in multilateral development banks, local government, and academia. She has managed a portfolio of $2,000 million in sovereign loans for affordable housing and urban development projects in Latin America, $1,000 million in federal and municipal funds for urban parks in New York City, and $2.8 million in research grants for climate change, gender, and diversity. She has published 20 peer-reviewed papers and more than 30 chapters and monographs and is a member of various technical committees. Currently, Nora leads the Inter-American Development Bank research and knowledge agenda on cities, and mainstreams gender and diversity issues in urban projects. Nora is also a lecturer in Urban Planning and Design at Harvard University. Previously, she was the Director of Planning and Natural Resources for New York City and has taught urban planning and international development at various universities, including Columbia University and the University of Buenos Aires. She is a member of various technical boards, including the Steering Committee of the Harvard Mexican Cities Initiative, and the World Resources Institute Ross Center Prize for Cities. Her publications focus on social inclusion in cities, sustainable development, and affordable housing. Her papers have been published in a range of academic journals, counting the Journal of Planning Education and Research, Housing Policy Debate, International Journal of Urban & Regional Research, Cities, Urban Studies, World Development Perspectives, and City & Community, among others. Nora holds a Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning from MIT with honors, a Master's in Urban Design from Harvard University, and a Master’s in Architecture from the University of Buenos Aires.
Eight strategies to adapt our cities to climate change
Cities are critically vulnerable to climate change. In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), one of the world's most vulnerable regions to climate change, cities are already facing the growing risks of water scarcity, sea level rise, and extreme weather events such as heat waves and floods. These climate events increase mortality and morbidity, cause asset and economic losses, … [Read more...] about Eight strategies to adapt our cities to climate change
How to design a house considering the needs of people with disabilities?
Every day, many people find it difficult to move around their city, use public transportation, enter a building and even move independently in their own homes. Do you know why? Because the majority of public and private spaces are not accessible for people with disabilities. Building a housing stock that adapts to the needs of people with disabilities not only … [Read more...] about How to design a house considering the needs of people with disabilities?
How to measure urban poverty?: a multidimensional approach for segregated cities
For decades, the eradication of poverty has been the goal of Latin American and Caribbean countries. Even so, 32.1% of the population has an income below the poverty line and 13.1% below the indigence line. Measuring poverty is vital to eradicate it. Therefore, it is relevant to ask why the most widely disseminated data on poverty are based on income level despite the fact that … [Read more...] about How to measure urban poverty?: a multidimensional approach for segregated cities
How does the IDB Group support the development of women in cities?
In March, the IDB Group celebrates Women's Month and it is a good opportunity to highlight our work to contribute to an inclusive development model that allows us to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly as they relate to gender equality and inclusive cities. As a result of the IDB's commitment in this matter, the Bank was invited to participate, on March … [Read more...] about How does the IDB Group support the development of women in cities?