Video

How the dictatorship shaped Brazilian cities

For 21 years, Brazil lived under a military regime that centralized power, suppressed freedom, and redesigned the national territory based on political and economic interests. What few people discuss, however, is how this period directly influenced the way cities were built, and how this logic still shapes today’s urban reality.

The militarization of urban space, the consolidation of road transport as a national priority, the use of concrete as a language of power, and mass forced removals were not accidents of development, but part of a strategic project of control and expansion.

The problem? This model produced segregated, inefficient, and deeply unequal cities. What once appeared as progress revealed itself as an urban legacy that benefits a few and penalizes millions.

Interested in this topic?

Watch the full video and understand how the military regime structured this exclusionary urban model and which scars still remain in our cities.

Disclaimer: The video is in Brazilian Portuguese, but simultaneous translation and subtitles are available in multiple languages.

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News

UN-Habit positions green architecture as critical urban infrastructure

Green architecture is no longer seen as an aesthetic choice. It is now treated as essential infrastructure for the survival of cities. This is the central message from UN-Habitat as the global conversation on urban development shifts from isolated energy efficiency to comprehensive climate resilience. In the lead-up to the 13th World Urban Forum, to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2026, urban planning strategies are moving beyond emissions reduction toward the urgent task of protecting people from the direct impacts of climate change.

The New Urban Agenda outlines four priorities: integrating nature-based solutions into core urban infrastructure, adapting buildings and neighborhoods to withstand climate extremes, using sustainable construction as a local economic driver, and ensuring that green technologies are accessible to vulnerable communities, not just urban elites. In this new framework, housing is reframed as a climate right, not a market commodity.

Materials like mycelium and bamboo are gaining traction as viable alternatives to concrete and steel. Mycelium, grown from agricultural waste, offers high insulation, natural fire resistance, and a carbon-negative footprint. Bamboo, when processed using Cement-Bamboo Frame Technology (CBFT), can structurally replace conventional materials while cutting emissions by up to 60 percent and reducing construction costs.

The selection of Baku as the forum’s host city raises concerns. Despite its green urban projects, Azerbaijan remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels, prompting criticism over potential greenwashing. Still, UN-Habitat aims to leverage the event to encourage real commitments to sustainable urban and energy transitions.

Real-world case studies underscore these strategies. In Burkina Faso, schools built with laterite and passive cooling prove that vernacular design can outperform industrial methods. In Medellín, Colombia, green corridors lowered urban temperatures by up to 4.5°C while creating green jobs. In Lagos, Nigeria, the collapse of the Makoko Floating School exposed the risks of innovation without long-term maintenance. In India, low-cost cool roofs have helped reduce indoor temperatures by up to 5°C, saving lives during extreme heatwaves.

The message from UN-Habitat is clear. Green architecture must be scalable, inclusive, and practical. Without that, cities will remain unprepared for the growing challenges of a warming and increasingly unequal world.