If you Imagine it, it's Possible

In 2012, Medellín, the city that is the traditional cultural capital of Colombia, was recognized as the most innovative city of the world.

Citi Group and the Marketing Services Department of WSJ. Magazine teamed up with the Urban Land Institute (ULI) to determine which city— wherever in the world— deserved the title “Innovative City of the Year.” For the first round, ULI produced a list of 200 contenders, we then asked readers of WSJ. Magazine and others to vote on the city that deserved the title. The original list of 200 was reduced to 25. We then asked readers and others to vote again and the list was narrowed to three finalists.

Events were held in each of the finalist cities where we encouraged civic leaders and business executives to use social media to spread the word.

Originally distinguished for its progress and potential, Medellín found new solutions to classic problems of mobility and environmental sustainability. Today, gondolas and a giant escalator shuttle citizens from steep mountainside homes to jobs and schools in the valley below.

As a result, travel time for the majority of its citizens has been cut from more than 2 hours to just a few minutes. The city has seen great advancement in public transportation, with more than 500,000 residents and visitors using its modern underground metro system each day. The metro system reduces Medellin’s CO2 emissions by 175,000 tons each year.

New facilities and landmarks include the España Library and a cultural center in Moravia.

The city’s crime rate has fallen significantly in recent decades, thanks to aggressive local policies.

Watch the short video here: City of the Year 2012 – Medellin, WSJ’s Most Innovative City in the World

Ruta N, the Center of Business and Innovation in Medellín, imagined that the spirit of innovation could change Medellín forever.

They are promoting new knowledge-based businesses with international participation, through the promotion, development and strengthening of a ecosystem of science, technology and innovation in order to increase the city and region’s competitiveness.

All of Ruta N‘s activities take place in Medellín, Cluster City. This last program completes the city’s strategy, with six clusters that evaluate the market and indicate wich direction other programs in education, entrepreneurship, science, technology and innovation must take.

Thus, Medellín is taking an important step in building a knowledge economy, in a comprehensive and articulated manner.

images credits: about.com; rutanmedellin.org

Wait! Before you go.

Choose how you want the latest innovation content delivered to you:

• Daily — RSS Feed — Email — Twitter — Facebook — Linkedin Today
• Weekly — Email Newsletter — Free Magazine — Linkedin Group

Geovanny Romero, is certified NPDP Plant Manager at Renovallanta-ContiLifeCycle, and Managing Director at NPD Strategy in Andean Region. A Member of PDMA International, his main interests are focused in Productivity, New Product Development and Lean In.