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?
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?
Cities on pedals: The IDB Group’s commitment to cycling infrastructure
Using the bicycle, instead of motorized vehicles, to move around our cities is becoming more and more popular around the world. The health restrictions of the pandemic were, in many cases, the main incentive for some us to discover the benefits of this vehicle. Nevertheless, at the moment, the increase in fuel prices, as a result of the war in Ukraine, is making of cycling … [Read more...] about Cities on pedals: The IDB Group’s commitment to cycling infrastructure
The cities of Latin America and the Caribbean: spaces of contrasts
The cities of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) are full of contrasts. They are the place where poverty and extreme poverty rub shoulders daily with wealth and extreme wealth. Without going any further, 184 million (equivalent to 30% of the total population) of people live in poverty in the region, and 1 out of 4 people who live in urban areas live in informal … [Read more...] about The cities of Latin America and the Caribbean: spaces of contrasts
Urban Green Infrastructure in Latin America and the Caribbean: the case of San Salvador
The cities of our region are called to play a key role in the fight against climate change and achieve the Paris Agreements and COP26 goals. As we mentioned in the first blog of this series, the Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI) is one of the best tools through which the municipalities of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) can adapt and mitigate the climate crisis in line … [Read more...] about Urban Green Infrastructure in Latin America and the Caribbean: the case of San Salvador