Glossary

Action research:

Action research is a research methodology that seeks, from the moment the project is formulated, to continue it into action, i.e. to get actively involved in transforming the reality that is observed to the benefit of and together with the most disadvantaged people. The action research methodology is thus based on interdisciplinarity, participation, immediate effectiveness and iteration.

Habitat:

Related to the material and immaterial elements that allow people to inhabit a place (housing, infrastructure, services, sanitation). We understand habitat as physical shelter that requires a certain amount of space-consuming infrastructure to be appropriated, as well as policies, opportunities to move around, various advantages, individual capabilities, expert knowledge and funding.

Poverty:

Poverty is defined as a person's material deprivation, either absolute (compared with a standard that is the same for every society) or relative (compared with the situation within a particular society). It is nonetheless necessary to consider not just the situation of deprivation but also other aspects (such as social, cultural and interpersonal aspects and the direct and indirect impact of poverty on health, food, education, etc., which is what links poverty to the concept of vulnerability.

Social disparities:

We understand social disparities as any form of social, economic or political inequality between individuals or groups. This inequality can express itself concretely in terms of differences in property, rights or access to material, cultural and symbolic goods. Social disparities generally translate into differences in power. The gap between those who decide and those who are affected by their decisions causes numerous problems and a great deal of disorder.

Urban development:

The rapid growth of cities around the world over the last few decades has had extremely negative social and environmental impact. This phenomenon has assumed dramatic proportions in cities in the South, where even inhabitants' most basic needs are not satisfied. It is therefore imperative to check this urban "evolution" and to reduce its negative effects so as to make the most of the urban development potential.