CASE STUDY - Medellin Columbia

Question 1

What is the purpose of the Medellin case study?

Answer 1

To explore how endogenous investment has affected continuity and change in the area.

Question 2

What were the major problems in Medellin?

Answer 2

1. Highest murder rate in the world - in the 80s and early 90s it was the headquarters for Pablo Escabar and his homocidal drug cartel.
2. Extreme high levels of poverty - 1 billion people living in poverty in South America.
3. Slums filled by migrants too poor to find work in the city, (similar to the Santa Marta slum in Rio).

Question 3

What endogenous investment has there been in Medellin?

Answer 3

1. Schools and libraries built to increase education levels and literacy - these offered free internet access.
2. Escalators built to enable access to all areas of the slums
3. A cable car, Metro bus system, tram system and ride sharing programme were created to increase the ease of access from the slums to the city centre.

Question 4

How did Medellin change as a result of the endogenous investment?

Answer 4

1. Population decreased to 2.2 million people - less people inhabiting slums.
2. Became a model for urban regeneration and sustainable city planning through long-term investments.
3. Transport access significantly improved allowing people to access employment.

Question 5

How has Medellin remained the same?

Answer 5

1. Still has a large population of 2.2 million people.
2. Inequality has increased and cultural/geographic barriers remain.
3. New shanty towns like Nueva Jerusalem are growing - these continue to experience gang violence and drug crime.
4. The state has limited control over the gangs in the area due to their influence - little police pacification.

Question 6

What are endogenous factors that shape a place?

Answer 6

Factors which originate internally, starting points or underpinning elements of a place. E.g, topography, infrastructure, demographic characteristics.