UNDP Turns to 3D Printing to Build in Colombia

We have heard it time and time again, one of the biggest crises facing different regions in the world is the lack of housing in different areas. Whether in the US, India, the EU or anywhere else, many countries are facing what is known as a housing deficit, wherein there is a lack of the number of houses needed for the population of an area. And in South America, one of the worst hit is Colombia. Luckily, there may now be a solution. It seems that the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) will be turning to 3D printing to help build in the country.

In Colombia, as of 2023, 3.7 million households (more than a quarter of the country’s total) face a household deficit. This is further aggravated by the fact that two out of every three of these families also need to carry out structural improvements to homes, according to the World Bank. The problem has grown so severe that the government of Colombia has been actively working to close the gap, notably through National Development Plan 2023-2026, and increase access to housing in lower-income households. This is where the UNDP also plays a role, marked now with the acquisition of a Crane WASP 3D printer that will be used for the construction of buildings and services.

UNDP is turning to 3D printing for construction in Colombia

For those who may not be familiar, the UNDP is a United Nations agency that works to eliminate poverty and achieve sustainable economic growth and human development. Currently, it is active in 177 countries and territories, including Colombia. And the decision to turn to 3D printing through the Crane WASP is a significant milestone for work in the region.