A person's zip code affects their life expectancy more than their own genetic code. We often relate chronic diseases to habits such as diet, lack of physical exercise, smoking or heredity. However, the factor that most influences health is the environment in which we live and circumstances such as poverty, lack of decent housing, overcrowding, environmental safety or exclusion … [Read more...] about Healthy Cities: your zip code influences your health more than your genetic code
Emerging cities
Latin America and the Caribbean is the second most urbanized region on the planet, with 8 out of 10 people living in cities. Between 1950 and 2014, the region was urbanized at an unprecedented rate, its urban population increased from 50 to 80 percent (as a percentage of the total); a figure that is expected to reach 86 percent in 2050. Moreover, regional economic growth was mainly developed in medium-sized cities, which are expanding exponentially. How to accompany the growth of these cities? Learn more by reading our blog and downloading this publication.
World Hunger Day: How and why should we integrate urban agriculture into city planning?
Four out of ten Latin Americans and Caribbeans live in food insecurity, that is, they lack regular access to food. The pandemic, and the war in Ukraine, have sharply pushed back already poor malnutrition rates. Transforming agrifood systems will be the main strategy for ensuring food security in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). However, the planning of our cities can play … [Read more...] about World Hunger Day: How and why should we integrate urban agriculture into city planning?
IDB Mayors Forum: How to finance the sustainable development of cities?
Our region is the most urbanized in the developing world, concentrating close to 6.4% of the global population. Eight out of every ten people in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) live in cities, and data indicate that the urban population will continue to grow in the coming decades, reaching 85% by 2050. This means that municipal governments must prepare to respond to the … [Read more...] about IDB Mayors Forum: How to finance the sustainable development of cities?
Ten blog posts to celebrate ten years of Ciudades Sostenibles
Ciudades Sostenibles just celebrated its 10th anniversary this year. Since May 2012, more than 800 blog posts have informed our loyal readers every week about the challenges, opportunities, trends and urban projects with the greatest impact on urban development in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). From the IDB's Housing and Urban Development Division, we would like to … [Read more...] about Ten blog posts to celebrate ten years of Ciudades Sostenibles
IDB Mayors Forum 2022: four lessons to address climate change in cities
October 31, World Cities Day Today is World Cities Day (WCD). While many people will read, or hear, about the importance of commemorating this day, few may know what exactly it is being celebrated. Let's take a look to some history. In 2013, the United Nations established the WCD with the aim of fostering cooperation among countries to address the challenges posed by … [Read more...] about IDB Mayors Forum 2022: four lessons to address climate change in cities