The cities of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) face enormous challenges and opportunities. Two-thirds of the Latin American population reside in cities of at least of 20,000 inhabitants and 81% live in urban areas. By 2050, it's projected that over 86% of the region's population will be urban dwellers. In terms of challenges, LAC cities are responsible for around 70% of … [Read more...] about Cities in Latin America and the Caribbean as Catalysts for Climate Action Post-COP28
Sustainable development
Between 1950 and 2014, Latin America and the Caribbean urbanized at an unprecedented rate, increasing its urban population from 50 to 80 percent (as a percentage of the total); a figure that is expected to reach 86 percent by 2050. On the other hand, Latin American cities are extremely vulnerable to extreme weather events, droughts and floods: three-quarters of Latin Americans live in low-lying coastal areas. How to promote sustainable urban development? Learn more by reading our blog and downloading this publication.
Resilient Urban Planning to Climate Change, the IDB’s Commitment to the Colonial City of Santo Domingo
The proximity of urban centers to the coast makes our Caribbean cities vulnerable to rising sea levels and the increasingly devastating effects of storms. In the Dominican Republic, 25% of the built-up area between 1995 and 2015 is located within three kilometers of the coast, making these areas highly exposed to climate events such as hurricanes and floods. This affects not … [Read more...] about Resilient Urban Planning to Climate Change, the IDB’s Commitment to the Colonial City of Santo Domingo
Preserving the past and building the future: Green heritage buildings in Paramaribo
Suriname can be considered a privileged country. It does not only host great biodiversity, but it also has a vibrant and diverse population as a result of multiple waves of immigration throughout the centuries. Suriname's capital, Paramaribo, is home to 44% of the national population and holds the historical and cultural wealth of the country. Walking through its streets is an … [Read more...] about Preserving the past and building the future: Green heritage buildings in Paramaribo
From Urban Jungles to Biodiversity Havens in Latin America and the Caribbean
Picture yourself stepping into the heart of the urban wilderness in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), where towering skyscrapers and an array of new and old buildings stand tall amidst a cacophony of city sounds and frantic activities. From the busy streets of some metropolises such as Buenos Aires, Mexico City, or São Paulo to other vibrant capitals in the Caribbean like … [Read more...] about From Urban Jungles to Biodiversity Havens in Latin America and the Caribbean
How can cities mitigate the impacts of climate change?: green and gray infrastructure
Climate change is no longer an abstract concept but a current challenge in our cities. As we analyzed in the previous article of this series, the rise in average temperatures and intense heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, and floods are some of the extreme weather phenomena that increasingly affect densely populated urban centers. What can cities in Latin America and the … [Read more...] about How can cities mitigate the impacts of climate change?: green and gray infrastructure