English | Español Last week, 195 nations took an important step towards avoiding the most dangerous impacts of climate change when laying out a framework to cut global greenhouse gas emissions at the 21st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris. While the biggest challenges lie still ahead, many observers see the agreement as a clear signal for change in how … [Read more...] about Creating Momentum for Change in Latin American and Caribbean Cities
Back to School for the People, Planet and Profit
Barbadian children went back to school a few weeks ago, but while they were on vacation, a group of Barbadian adults also went back to school to the soundtrack of a catchy calypso jingle: “Emerging and Sustainable Cities Initiative, Everyone has a voice Let’s improve where we live.” Residents and business people answered the call to let their voices be … [Read more...] about Back to School for the People, Planet and Profit
BID UrbanLab: an urban laboratory for Latin America
English | Español The Panamanian neighborhood of Curundú will emerge, connect, and become the model of a sustainable city. This statement reflects the future envisioned by the three projects that made it to the final round of the IDB UrbanLab, an international competition organized by the Inter-American Development Bank with a focus on this strategic site that connects the old … [Read more...] about BID UrbanLab: an urban laboratory for Latin America
The Renaissance of Old Havana
Español | English Strolling through Havana’s historic city center during a recent vacation in Cuba, I was intrigued by the two contrasting worlds that coexist in this place. In the beautifully restored parts of Habana Vieja (Old Havana), tourists and street artists fill cobbled streets, and countless restaurants advertise Caribbean delicacies in bilingual menus. Only a couple … [Read more...] about The Renaissance of Old Havana
3 ways to make people-friendly cities
Español | English David Sim is a partner and Creative Director at Gehl Architects in Copenhagen. He and his team are currently working with the Emerging and Sustainable Cities Initiative (ESCI) in Xalapa, Mexico to improve its public spaces and make the city more sustainable. From his experience in Xalapa, Sim tells us about three ideas to make people-friendly … [Read more...] about 3 ways to make people-friendly cities