A global building network research for advancing healthy and affordable housing

It is widely acknowledged that buildings that are well designed, constructed and operated can generate health, well-being and prosperity benefits. Inadequate ventilation, poor indoor air quality, chemical contaminants from indoor and outdoor environments and poor lighting can generate negative health outcomes such as cardiovascular, pulmonary, respiratory and ocular diseases. The current COVID-19 global health crisis has resulted in an increased interest in strategies that can be used to generate these outcomes. This notwithstanding fundamental research questions related to the unique built environment-related attributes that increase our vulnerability at both the local, regional, and global level are being overlooked. We need to evaluate the inherent socio-economic, environmental, and anthropogenic factors. The emerging Global Building Network seeks to address this need through efforts that transcend disciplines, sectors, and geographies.