During the International Union of Architects (UIA) 2020 International Forum, “Affordable Housing Activation: Removing Barriers,” the Higher Council of Spanish Architects’ Colleges (CSCAE) developed the first dynamic atlas on access to housing. The platform aggregates over 4,000 economic, urban, and development indicators into a single interface, making them easy to analyze and interpret. The data is sourced from major international organizations, including the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Health Organization.
Developed by the consulting firm 300,000 Km/s, the tool maps all of the world’s metropolitan areas at a 250-meter resolution, enabling a city-by-city analysis of urban expansion over the past 50 years. The UIA 2022 International Forum identified six barriers to housing access: mismatches between housing production and demand, policy and regulation, finance, design, development and production, and ownership. The data is categorized accordingly, allowing users to query and explore correlations between different indicators dating back to 1976. The atlas integrates data from the Global Human Settlement Layer (GHSL), featuring detailed information on more than 16,000 metropolitan areas worldwide.
Its advanced capabilities and user-friendly interface make it an essential tool for governments, institutions, and universities to analyze global housing access. The technical platform presents vast amounts of data in a simple and intuitive format, offering guidance to address housing challenges.
The tool was launched at the UIA 2022 International Forum, accessible to both in-person and virtual attendees. The forum’s primary objective was to propose solutions and holistic perspectives to bridge the gaps between architecture and urban planning. Key stakeholders capable of shaping long-term action plans participated, working toward an international agreement backed by organizations, governments, businesses, and institutions. This collaborative effort is crucial for building consensus and achieving livability and sustainability.
Promoted by the CSCAE and the UIA, the UIA 2022 International Forum featured dozens of parallel events across five continents in March, culminating in Madrid on May 18, 19, and 20. The event was attended by over 70 international experts and representatives from major global institutions and organizations. Supported by the Spanish Government, the forum was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda (MITMA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Community of Madrid, the Madrid City Council, and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).
Translated by Wu Zhenghao
This article was written by Mili Sánchez Azcona. The translation is powered by AI.
