INSIGHTS

By: Elizabeth Parra.

Medellín won the award as the most innovative city in the ‘City of the Year’ competition sponsored by the Wall Street Journal, City Group and the Urban Land Institute.

The city managed to change a trade mark associated with drug trafficking into one linked to innovation by promoting technological, social, and educational solutions. The alliance of the local government with the main actors was fundamental to implement innovative projects, among them:

Innovation over necessity: The escalators of Commune 13 are a solution for its inhabitants, who must climb the equivalent of 28 floors.

Technology in structures: the intelligent building of the companies symbol of innovation and development.

Parks become library: an innovative strategy to awaken culture with an inclusion model.

The only city with a Subway in the country: it mobilizes half a million people and has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by more than 175,000 tons.

Modern cultural infrastructure: Moravia Cultural Center contributes to development and equality built in one of the city’s poorest sectors.

Less crime: 80% reduction.

To achieve the city’s sustainability, these efforts had to be accompanied by long-term social programs supported by the communities

Source: https://www.urnadecristal.gov.co/gestion-gobierno/por-qu-medell-n-es-ciudad-m-s-innovadora-mundo