Three keys to increase social inclusion in Latin America
May 19, 2015
UN Habitat states that in the past ten years, the region is the place where the rate of equity among its population increased the most.
The way in which cities are built and lived may positively influence the integration of society. It is precisely public spaces that lead to social interaction and the recognition of others.
The report Inclusión de habitantes en la ciudadanía plena. Experiencias de desarrollo urbano e inclusión social en América Latina (Inclusion of inhabitants into full citizenship. Urban development and social inclusion experiences in Latin America) mentions three points that help in this respect:
- Spatial connection. In populations where
there is easy and public access, with affordable transportation
rates, citizens have more possibilities of accepting certain jobs
that may be farther away from their homes. Opportunities in cities
are greater. Connectivity and mobility, a decent, wide, and
efficient transportation system implies greater equity.
- Training and education. In the short term,
training may be carried out by public and private initiatives. In
workshops, and support for entrepreneurs from informal sectors so
they can formalize their businesses or acquire certain qualities
that will enable them to find a job in the city. It is a vehicle
for insertion that has already given results, for example in Quito
with the Con Quito (With Quito) program. In the
medium and long term, education is undoubtedly one of the
significant projects that help achieve greater social equity. For
example, the program 'Buen Comienzo' (Good Beginning) in Medellín
fits out centers for mothers to take their small babies. The idea
is to help their minds have the greatest possible capacity,
something that is decisive in the first years of life, as well as a
good nutrition, which is key for their development.
- Social cohesion. These are the opportunities that the city gives to individuals from different social classes and different ages, to share a common space. The core is the public space. It may be a plaza, parks, or even streets and sidewalks, including services such as public transportation. These places lead to social interaction and allows for people to recognize each other. Cities such as Bogota, Medellín, Quito, Guayaquil or Buenos Aires have increased the square meters of public spaces per inhabitant as a way to increase social interaction.
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