Wood has been one of the most used building materials since the beginning of history. Although the use of steel, concrete or iron has brought significant advances to construction, wood has never lost its popularity. In fact, the number of wooden buildings around the world may surprise many readers. Did you know that countries such as Japan, Scotland or the United States are … [Read more...] about Wood as a housing construction material: what are its benefits?
Housing
Access to adequate housing is one of the universal human rights. Having access to quality housing improves the health, educational performance and family coexistence of citizens. At the IDB, we believe that all citizens must have access to decent housing, which is why we promote and work to expand access to public and private financing for services and access to housing for the most needy. How to promote more and better housing policies in Latin America and the Caribbean? Learn more by reading our blog and downloading this publication.
How does housing design affect people’s well-being?
Have you ever wondered how, aspects of the design of a home and its neighborhood, affect people's well-being? Elements such as the height and architectural style of a building, the construction materials of a house, the density of the city, and the presence of public spaces, among others, are an elementary part to be considered by anyone working in urban planning and … [Read more...] about How does housing design affect people’s well-being?
IDB´s role revitalizing heritage housing in the Colonial City of Santo Domingo
A climatic approach for economic and social development The Colonial City is the oldest urban nucleus of Santo Domingo, capital of the Dominican Republic. It was the first permanent European settlement on the continent, serving as an urban model to be replicated in other colonial cities in America. On December 8, 1990, the Colonial City of Santo Domingo (CCSD) was declared a … [Read more...] about IDB´s role revitalizing heritage housing in the Colonial City of Santo Domingo
Urban Resilience in Informal Settlements in Paraguay: a sum of long-term efforts
It is essential to address the problem of informal settlements in our cities. Issues such as the effects of climate change, migrations, health crises, the exorbitant transformations of the territory and the change in socio-urban dynamics makes it more necessary than ever to take action to address urban informality. During the last weeks we have addressed the situation of … [Read more...] about Urban Resilience in Informal Settlements in Paraguay: a sum of long-term efforts
How does a home influence the health of its occupants?
The quality and location of housing has direct implications for the health of those who inhabit it. There are many studies that support how the fact that residing in an adequate housing unit contributes to improving household’s health. That a home has access to water and sanitation services, in a safe area, and located close to health care and education services greatly affects … [Read more...] about How does a home influence the health of its occupants?