Sustainable Cities, understood as a theoretical model and action plan that brings together in an integrated way the initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life, coexistence, sustainability and efficient management of services, innovating in materials, resources and models. The 2030 Agenda proposes as its objective 11, making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

Cities are hotbeds of ideas, commerce, culture, science, productivity, social development and much more. At their best, cities have allowed people to progress socially and economically.

There are many problems that exist in maintaining cities so that jobs and prosperity continue to be created while conserving resources and peaceful coexistence. The latin american cities They have not been characterized by being the result of careful urban planning. They have experienced exponential growth, which today makes the region the second most urbanized on the planet (80% of urban population and, according to IDB projections, 86% in 2050).

It is necessary to rethink our cities so that they are sustainable, environmentally, socially, as well as governable. This phenomenon demands that the region address in each city, with different emphasis, problems of socio-spatial segregation, quantitative and qualitative deficits of green and public spaces, waste management, housing and transportation problems, incorporation of new technologies, generation and provision of public goods, noise pollution, air quality, transparent and efficient management, participatory budgets, among others.

Carlos Andrés Franco Pachón

Carlos Franco, specialist in issues of development of innovation ecosystems, was project manager of Ruta N, Medellín. This innovation center develops different programs and services to facilitate the economic evolution of the city towards businesses intensive in science, technology and innovation, in an inclusive and sustainable way.

At CILAC, Mr. Franco participated in the high-level session on Knowledge Cities and areas of innovation, and in the round table Science for urban development. In all his interventions he spoke about the importance of technology to achieve sustainable cities, one of the three thematic axes of the Forum.

The Regional Specialist of the Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Program, Guillermo Anlló, produced a report that addressed the phenomenon of innovation in cities, taking as an example the experience of Carlos Franco in Medellín.