October 09, 2023
From October 6th to 11th, a delegation of 23 people from Rio Grande do Sul embarked on a mission to Medellín, Colombia. This mission was coordinated by the POA Inquieta Collective and Pacto Alegre, movements dedicated to fostering transformative projects in the city of Porto Alegre. The host for this gathering was the anthropologist Santiago Uribe, who serves as a consultant for Pacto Alegre.
Representing Aerom in this mission was CEO Marcus Coester, alongside participants from the Porto Alegre City Hall, Unisinos, PUCRS, Tecnopuc, the State Department of Education, Fundação Gerações, and various entities committed to regional development.
The primary goal of this journey was to deepen the work being carried out in the Colombian capital through the Resilience Office, directed by Santiago Uribe. Medellín stands out as a remarkable example of urban and social transformation, having transitioned from being one of the world’s most dangerous cities to being recognized as one of the most creative in just over two decades. This transformation was made possible through a profound participatory process in which innovation and inclusion played pivotal roles. During this mission, participants had the opportunity to experience and better understand the process of transformation and territorial development that took place in Medellín.
The ideas and inspirations generated during the trip will be applied to the “Territórios Inovadores” (Innovative Territories) project of Pacto Alegre. The project aims to establish innovation hubs in peripheral regions of Porto Alegre. The first hub is already operational in Morro da Cruz, transforming the community by offering space for innovative initiatives and providing free Wi-Fi in the area.
The Importance of Urban Mobility as a Tool for Social Inclusion
Medellín has undergone significant transformations in transportation infrastructure, housing, and education. A notable strategy has been the integration of different modes of transportation, making the most of sidewalks and public spaces.
Some of the city’s main transportation modes include:
Metro: Two operational lines, Line A and Line B, with a total of 27 stations and 34.5 km of track.
Light Rail (Tranvia): An exclusive line with 4.3 km in length and 9 stations.
Metroplús (BRT): Two operational lines, Line 1 and Line 2, with a total of 28 stations and 26.0 km of track.
Integrated Bus Services: Offering 33 services operated by a fleet of 370 vehicles.
Cable Cars (MetroCable): A cable car system with 13 stations and 10.7 km in length.
Encicla: A public bike-sharing system with more than 50 stations throughout the city.
In Medellín, promoting non-motorized transportation and public transit has been crucial. The success of Medellín’s public transportation system demonstrates that innovative and effective solutions can be achieved to address urban mobility challenges in cities.
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