by Ophélie Chevalier The Pritzker Prize is architecture’s most prestigious award. The 2014 winner was Shigeru Ban. In announcing this year’s laureate, Tom Pritzker said, “Shigeru Ban's commitment to humanitarian causes through his disaster relief work is an example for all. Innovation is not limited by building type, and compassion is not limited by budget. Shigeru has … [Read more...] about Low-Income Housing is Hot
Ophélie Chevalier
Ms. Chevalier has almost 20 years of international development experience, including project management (identification, design, negotiation, execution, and evaluation), sector strategies, policy dialogue with authorities, and oversight of technical studies. At the IDB, she has worked on issues related to institutional strengthening, local development, housing subsidies, and neighborhood upgrading programs. Her current work also includes acting as focal point for climate change for the Housing and Urban Development Division. Ophélie is a lawyer by training and holds post graduate degrees from the University of Paris and Columbia University.
Urban Agriculture or Urban Ingenuity in Action
Up to 70 percent of urban households in developing countries participate in agricultural activities. More than half of all urban households in the poorest expenditure quintile rely in part on agricultural activities to satisfy their food needs (FAO, 2010). And it can save the day. During World War II, as part of the war effort, residents in every city and town in the … [Read more...] about Urban Agriculture or Urban Ingenuity in Action
Back from the World Urban Forum: Common Ground and Urban Future
Torre David, Caracas Joan Clos, the Executive Director of UN-Habitat, stated in the opening of the World Urban Forum (WUF) that “the antidote to slums is planned urbanization.” This is a challenge, as figures and history tend to show. Regardless of planning, slums keep growing as people find creative ways to secure shelters and income-generating activities. To further discuss … [Read more...] about Back from the World Urban Forum: Common Ground and Urban Future