Input tags: Learn Spanish in Medellin, Innovation, Medellín

Medellin, The city of eternal spring, of flowers, of the mountains and capital of the department of Antioquia, is pride and happiness for all Colombians, who received the positive news of being the most innovative city in the world, a recognition that competed with cities like Tel Aviv and New York.

Initially, 200 cities applied for the contest. Then they became only 25. Two Latin American cities entered that privileged group: Sao Paulo and Medellín. In the end, the capital of Antioquia was among the three finalist cities.

The distinction is awarded in the framework of the City of the Year contest, organized by The Wall Street Journal, together with the Urban Land Institute and Citigroup. The decision depended on an online vote.

Medellín won this mention thanks to the progress it has made in terms of innovation and social transformation in recent years. According to the organizers, Medellín has managed to position itself on the innovation map thanks to the promotion of technological, educational and cultural projects that have allowed the awakening of an entrepreneurial and thriving mentality of its inhabitants.

The Urban Land Institute (ULI) considered that the construction of integrated public transport infrastructures, which reduce CO2 emissions, have supported the social development of marginalized areas, the reduction of crime rates, the construction of cultural facilities and spaces. , and the management of public services.

Some of the reasons why the city is the most innovative in the world are: its innovative policy, its good finances, its business policy, the continuity in its form of government and the civic behavior of its people. The important personalities of the region explain it to us.

Leadership. We dared to change brands

It is the result of the work of recent years, because of the way we dared to change society and the city based on education, urban renewal, entrepreneurship and culture. It was possible to change a brand associated with drug trafficking for the brand of innovation, which means that we know how to solve problems and we are able to unite as a society.

Sergio Fajardo Valderrama. Governor of Antioquia

Sustainability It was innovated with social impact.

“The contribution of the metro was with sustainable mobility, friendly to the environment and socially inclusive; and with innovation that seeks new modes of transport that radiate benefits to surrounding communities such as cables. Another is the metro culture that does not exist anywhere else, even if they have bigger trains and more buses ”.

Ramiro Marquez. Metro Manager

Security. Everyone's work reduced deaths

“It is the best recognition that can be given to a city that makes great efforts to get ahead, to end stigmatization. The comprehensive effort that was made with the administrative and judicial authorities and the community in the capture of leaders, the decrease in homicides and having worked with everyone. That is success ”.

General Yesid Vasquez. Former Metropolitan Police Commander

Vision. The metrocable was born in Medellín

“It is a recognition to all the mayors that we have carried out projects that were not very credible at first, but that later have made a distinguished city in the world. Metrocables as mass transport, which were born in Medellín, are a revolution for transport and the environment, in addition to bringing a social revolution ”.

Luis Pérez Gutiérrez. Former Mayor of Medellín

Services. EPM's innovative model

“I feel enormous pride and enormous happiness for what it represents for Medellín to consolidate its good image in the world. I am satisfied because EPM has promoted innovation from its management model and has established itself as a provider of integrated public services with a social focus for the vulnerable population ”.

Juan Esteban Calle. EPM Manager