Международная архитектурная премия «World Habitat Awards» была учреждена в 1985 г. Награда присуждается ежегодно за проекты, предлагающие практичные и новаторские решения, направленные на удовлетворение текущих потребностей в доступном, экологичном, качественном жилье. Традиционно вручается два приза по 10 000 фунтов стерлингов: один для северного полушария, а другой – для южного.
The World Habitat Awards were established in 1985 by the Building and Social Housing Foundation as part of its contribution to the United Nations International Year of Shelter for the Homeless.
Two awards are given annually to projects that provide practical and innovative solutions to current housing needs and problems.
Every year an award of £10,000 is presented to each of the two winners at the World Urban Forum (even years) and UN-Habitat Governing Council (odd years).
Housing projects and approaches are sought that
demonstrate practical, innovative and sustainable solutions to current housing issues faced by countries all around the world
can be transferred or adapted for use as appropriate
are already being implemented or are completed ie not at design stage or very early stages of development
view the term habitat from a broad perspective and bring other benefits as well, such as energy or water saving, income generation, social inclusion, community and individual empowerment, health benefits, capacity building or education.
All entries are assessed and up to 12 projects are shortlisted by an assessment committee. These shortlisted projects are then evaluated by an independent advisory group.
Evaluation visits are made to some of the shortlisted projects before recommendations are put forward to a panel of external judges, including the Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT).