Cities at the crossroads of economic growth Cities are the economic engine of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), generating more than 75% of the regional GDP. Their prosperity and growth lead to that of the entire region. For this reason, the economic recovery of metropolitan areas after the COVID-19 pandemic must be rapid, long-lasting, socially inclusive, and … [Read more...] about How will cities thrive? The strategic role of Local Economic Development Agencies
urban development
How to develop public policies based on evidence? BIG DATA for sustainable urban development
Citizens, despite we may not be aware, generate enormous amounts of data every minute. Our cell phones and computers, traffic sensors, or video surveillance cameras are continuously producing and storing information. If municipal administrations would process, analyze, and use this data correctly, many of the common challenges in our cities, such as traffic jams, pollution … [Read more...] about How to develop public policies based on evidence? BIG DATA for sustainable urban development
Six reasons to nurture urban parks
Walking through the park with leafy trees is one of the most pleasant sensations someone can enjoy when wandering around a city. Behind this feeling of well-being, there is not just perception but also science. It is proven that green spaces generate multiple benefits that improve our overall wellbeing. On the celebration of World Tree Day (established in 1969 by … [Read more...] about Six reasons to nurture urban parks
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?
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