Medellin “most innovative city in the world”

Only twenty years ago its name was synonymous worldwide with drug cartels, violence and Pablo Escobar. Yesterday though, the transformation that Colombia’s second city Medellin has undergone in the past twenty years was unmistakable as it was named “Innovative City of the Year” by the Urban Land Institute, who carried out the contest in conjunction with the Wall Street Journal Magazine and the Citigroup bank.

Medellin beat off the competition from 200 cities worldwide that were originally shortlisted by the ULI, eventually being whittled down to a final three where it faced Tel Aviv and New York, with members of the public worldwide being able to vote on the winner.

The WSJ Magazine claimed Medellin’s “progress and potential” distinguished it for the award. It said it has “found new solutions to classic problems of mobility and environmental sustainability” with its gondolas, giant escalator and modern underground metro system, and that “glistening new museums, cultural centres, libraries and schools enrich the community”.

Unlike the District Capital, Medellin is a shining example of how good planning and sensible leadership from city hall can benefit a city, and its transport systems and housing programmes make it a desirable place to live for its citizens. What is more, the city has earned the reputation as the “Silicon Valley” of Latin America through its high concentration of high-tech industries.

Asked by WSJ Magazine what he felt made Medellin deserving of the award, mayor Anibal Gaviria said that “innovations in urban development, but also innovations of social programmes with a high content of equity and social justice.” He added: “The people of Medellin…love our city very much. They are proud of our city.”