HABITATION FOR THE PLANET

As the ongoing preparations for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games slowly but surely gain pace, the city of Rio de Janeiro remains in limbo – on the one hand benefitting from an unprecedented level of growth but on the other, lagging in terms of embracing a more socially inclusive society.  Serving as a global example of the intensive effects of rural-urban migration that much of the developing world witnesses today, the city is well-characterised by huge housing wealth [Read More]

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The Brazilian Institute of Geography & Statistics (IBGE) conservatively estimates that 52% of the 2.14 million Belém population (located in the north of Brazil) live in what are broadly considered as “subnormal” living conditions – as demonstrated in the map below.  The municipality is indicated as having the worst standards out of all the 26 metropolitan regions of Brazil and characterised by a fundamental lack of sufficient water supply, drainage, sewage and asphalted roads.  According to Paulo de Castro Ribeiro, planning [Read More]

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Bought in conjunction with the the Brazil Real Estate & Land Investment Guide, the Fez Tá Pronto Construction System© and Habitation for the Planet, please click on the link below to view the 2013 Brazilian Affordable Housing Report: “A Brazil without Favelas” (click here to read in English) “Um Brasil sem Favelas” (para ler em português, clique aqui) The report addresses a range of issues related to the current landscape of the Brazilian housing sector (including the magnitude of the deficit, [Read More]

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Yet another emerging nation with a contradictory socio-economic backdrop, India´s 2012 growth-based track record has noticeably subdued in relation the aggressive patterns witnessed in recent years (slowing to its slowest pace in a decade).  Looking at the base of the pyramid (BoP) housing market specifically, on the back of what has been a complex mix of speculation and plain neglect of what is truly necessary, the formulation of a positive outlook is becoming increasingly challenging.  To highlight some of the very [Read More]

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A guest post written by Franziska Mey based on a recent study conducted by the BCI Fellowship Program in collaboration with ASEI (Asian Social Enterprise Incubator).  The full study – accessible here – provides a comprehensive picture of the current socio-economic situation of the slum dwellers in Metro Manila, outlining several case studies whilst highlighting the ever-rising critical needs and requirements of urban poor housing in South East Asia and, indeed, throughout the developing world. The BCI Fellowship Program is part [Read More]

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A report recently published by the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) – in partnership with the Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC) and Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) – essentially outlined that existing urbanisation trends are likely to bring a number of positive and negative implications for biodiversity and ecosystems. The “Cities and Biodiversity Outlook” drew on the contributions of over 123 scientists across the world and indicated that over 60% of land projected to become urbanised has yet to be [Read More]

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Whilst some 8 million Venezuelans showed their support for the unprecedentedly extended term of Hugo Chávez to continue this month, the increasingly apparent emergence of a despondent electorate eager for change was demonstrated by the notable support for opposition leader Henrique Capriles Radonski. Nonetheless, more so than in previous elections, Chávez was able to use his recent track record of addressing critical social issues such as housing to capture the confidence of the Venezuelan public.  Yet now, of course, with expectations [Read More]

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Mientras este mes cerca de 8 millones de venezolanos dieron su apoyo a un plazo ampliado sin precedentes para la continuidad de Hugo Chávez, también quedó demostrado el surgimiento cada vez más evidente de un electorado desanimado y ávido de cambio, a través del notable apoyo que recibió el líder opositor Henrique Capriles Radonski. Sin embargo, y aún en mayor medida que en elecciones anteriores, Chávez logró hacer gravitar sus antecedentes recientes de haber abordado cuestiones sociales críticas como la vivienda [Read More]

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A post written for the Next Billion Brazil blog exploring the true impacts of “My House, My Life” (Minha Casa, Minha Vida) base of the pyramid focused housing initiative, including some broad suggestions of how its management could be moved in the right direction – the original (in Portuguese) can be read by clicking here. Confronting the housing deficit is no easy task for the Brazilian government.  Whilst attempts are being made to achieve a level of sustained development, the reality [Read More]

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Below is a translation of a promotional article published in the Portuguese “Impulso Positivo” magazine on the Fez Tá Pronto Construction System© (covering the various benefits and its real time application in confronting the global base of the pyramid housing deficit) (see the original by clicking here). Seven years ago, Exitus Administration, Conservation and Construction Ltda created and copyrighted the Fez Tá Pronto Construction System (implemented in Rio de Janeiro state) which has since grown to receive attention both in Brazil and [Read More]

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