ICHAB Instituto Cooperación y Habitabilidad Básica

ICHAB (Instituto de Cooperación y Habitabilidad Básica) was established in 1995 within ETSAM (Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura de Madrid) at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM). Its primary purpose is to address the global issues of human settlements and basic habitability, particularly in marginalized areas. Recognized by UPM since 2004 as a "Group of Cooperation for Development in Basic Habitability," ICHAB has over two decades of uninterrupted work. Its activities span postgraduate teaching, development cooperation projects, action-research, and public awareness campaigns. The institute aims to deepen understanding of "Basic Habitability" as a critical global challenge and disseminate this knowledge through education, applied research, publications, and project implementation, primarily in South America and Africa. ICHAB also emphasizes linking teaching with real-world projects, working with counter-partners on urban planning, housing projects, technological advice, and project evaluations, without being an NGO itself.