CAF launches “Pro-inclusion” policies, a practical guide to inclusive urban development

CAF - Development Bank of Latin America presented its publication on policies of "Pro-inclusion. Practical tools for the comprehensive development of Latin American cities," in the context of the CAF day at Habitat III, the global UN conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development, held in Quito, Ecuador, from October 17-20.

The publication aims to be a pragmatic and referential contribution from CAF for the development of inclusive and productive cities in Latin America, in light of the fact that it is the world's most urbanized region. Indeed, cities currently generate 65% of the region's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and are home to 80% of its population.

"We are convinced that the success of the urban development process depends on close coordination among the various actors: national and local governments, the private sector and civil society, with a long-term vision," stated CAF Executive President, Enrique Garcia. "Comprehensive urban development is no longer sectoral, but rather, it is systemic in order to project a set of initiatives that solve society's problems in a comprehensive manner."

The objective of the "Pro-inclusion" policies is to provide authorities and those in charge of urban management with practical tools that facilitate planning, financing and execution of inclusive and sustainable urban development actions. Exclusion halts and reduces the enormous development potential that cities have, for which reason inclusion must be a priority and transversal element in all interventions in the urban sphere.

The document is divided into two sections. First, it presents the conceptual framework composed of a set of policies that have proven effective in promoting greater social inclusion in Latin American cities.

For this, it takes four working bases as a starting point, which, at a minimum, must be comprehensively addressed and articulated among themselves in order to allow for inclusive urban development: 1) Increase in accessibility through public transportation; 2) Promotion of social cohesion and integration through public and green space; 3) Creation of human capital through education and skill-building; and 4) Improvement in the quality of life through basic services and environmental protection.

The second part of the publication shows how these bases can be successfully articulated in a city, promoting greater inclusion.

The document amasses a set of interventions that the entity has financed or identified in four sample cities that, due to their number of inhabitants and geographical location, are representative of the region. The cities are Fortaleza (Brazil), Guayaquil (Ecuador), Medellin (Colombia) and Panama City (capital of Panama). Long-term planning and continuity of policies, as well as streamlined coordination among the actors, are common elements of the four experiences gathered.

The merit of the "Pro-inclusion" policies is that, although they offer a conceptual framework, they are based on concrete and real experiences that have successfully worked in the field. Due to their planned and comprehensive approach, the practices gathered have the potential to be replicated in other urban centers, adapting themselves to the particular characteristics of each place.

Further, the document provides a series of maps which clearly and dynamically show how different urban practices have impacted and evolved in the development of cities.

Because of its accessible language, data systematization and practical emphasis, the publication positions itself as a signficant referential work for actors in the public and private sector who are involved in urban development, whether at the local or national level.  

The publication's official launch took place on October 17 at Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana (CCE) Benjamin Carrion, official headquarters of Habitat III. CAF Executive President, Enrique Garcia, and Corporate Vice President of Social Development at CAF, Jose Carrera, participated in the presentation panel. The mayor of Medellin, Federico Gutierrez, the mayor of Loja, Jose Bolivar Castillo, Patricia Alencar de Macedo of the Fortaleza Prefecture and the mayor of Panama City, Jose Blandon, also participated in the panel.