Haidy Duque, one of Colombia’s most celebrated serial social entrepreneurs, has a new project: she is helping the urban poor build customized, affordable homes from environmentally sustainable materials.

Duque is an Ashoka Hybrid Value Chain Fellow. Her organization, Por Una Vivienda Digna, has improved the lives of thousands since 2004 by providing impoverished communities with access to credit, technical assistance, and personalized financial education to strengthen budget planning processes for both individuals and families.

For thousands of Mexicans like Rosa Magana, the dream of living in a home large enough to humanely accommodate her family hovered far on the horizon. Then an initiative by a local building supply company in Guadalajara gave her the tools to make her dream come true. “Now I have a house in which my family lives a much better and more dignified life,” she said.

“To be the owner of a house is part of people’s identity, and it gives them a place of belonging within society. We practice an ecological approach to housing that taps the enthusiasm of its owners.” - Francesco Piazzesi

By John C. Reinhardt, AICP - Program Manager, American Planning Association

After reviewing the many fantastic entries in the Sustainable Urban Housing: Collaborating for Liveable and Inclusive Cities competition, a number of key themes rise to the surface. These themes reflect my own experience as an urban planning professional, and I will try to reflect on how this particular professional perspective can help you form your own critical lens as you select your favorite entries.