The 5th International Urban Development and Social Inclusion Contest aims to improve quality of life in cities

The high urbanization rate in Latin America in the last few decades, driven by disorganized processes and lack of planning, has led to all sorts of far-reaching social and economic problems, including those linked to increasing social exclusion in the urban context.  Currently, one in four people in Latin America live in underprivileged areas with limited access to quality goods, services and job opportunities. Rapid urbanization also reduces access to decent housing, causes pollution, and creates problems regarding mobility on streets and highways, use of public space and the safety of the community.

Through its “Cities with a Future” program, CAF-development bank of Latin America- created the fifth edition of the International Urban Development and Social Inclusion Contest, which seeks to reward proposals that improve the overall standard of living in Latin American cities. Specifically, it is seeking to improve people’s quality of life and to incorporate irregular settlements into the city by coming up with and introducing innovative, relevant, justifiable and workable proposals.

Proposals, whichmay be ideas for projects, projects currently underway or completed projects, must consider the following aspects to be considered:

• Providing better accessibility for the community
• Promoting cohesion and social integration
• Strengthening human capital and productivity
• Improving basic utilities and housing and increasing urban resilience

Project departments for local authorities, city councils, community councils and state and regional governments, state departments, non-profit organizations, civil associations, community groups, universities, government agencies and the private sector may all take part in the contest. 

It is highly desirable that the teams be multidisciplinary and may include one or more members with the following backgrounds: architects, urban planners, engineers, sociologists, environmentalists, social workers, educators, ecologists, and economists, among others. The team must appoint an authorized representative who will act as the point of contact and as “Project Leader” (who may be of any nationality).

The winning team will receive a prize of USD 15,000.00 and may be asked to submit a request to CAF to develop its proposal. If this is the case and CAF and the winning team fail to reach an agreement, CAF may ask the second or third-place team to do so, in addition to receiving their prize of USD 7,000.00 and USD 3,000.00, respectively.

Registration for the contest is free. Participants may register from March 15 to June 15, 2018 at caf.com/desarrollourbano2018 and submit their proposals.