Sustainable development opportunities associated with urban mobility are the subject of dialogue carried out by ECLAC and GIZ

On June 4 and 5, 2024, the event “Opportunities to advance towards inclusive, sustainable and intelligent cities” was held at the ECLAC headquarters, part of the ECLAC-BMZ/GIZ 2022-2024 cooperation program. The meeting systematized the results of research in conjunction with the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) and of ECLAC’s technical assistance to local and national governments of Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica and Uruguay, on various associated topics. to urban mobility.

Important technical and ministerial officials from institutions such as the Ministry of Housing and Human Settlements of Costa Rica participated in the tables; São Paulo Metro; Transmilenio of Bogotá; Faculty of Social Sciences of the Alberto Hurtado University of Chile; Government of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires; Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining of Uruguay; Ministry of Industry, Foreign Trade and Services of Brazil; Productive Colombia; District Secretary of Mobility of Bogotá; Ministry of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica; Ministry of Environment and Energy of Colombia; Ministry of Energy of Chile.

During the event, there was discussion about the current urban development of Latin American cities and the need to carry out governance strategies that revolve around benefits to the population. Specifically, the analysis of the cases of Asian cities versus Latin American cities gave signals about the relevance of creating conditions for the development and financing of mass transportation and associated real estate projects.

In addition, there was discussion about the strong interrelation between circular economy strategies and sustainable mobility in the near future. Some examples discussed were the recyclability and second life of batteries, along with the regulation of the “Retrofit” technical process. Not only this, the importance of supporting the expansion of the electric mobility value chain through public policy was also discussed: regulatory frameworks, investment requirements, renewal of the electric energy distribution system and the conditions of concession of the public transportation system.

The different contributions of the panelists reflected multisectoral and interdisciplinary ideas to advance towards more sustainable urban development in Latin America. To reach this scenario, it is necessary to promote leadership within the public sector and disseminate the good practices necessary for a great push for sustainability.

This meeting also promoted a discussion with the presence of the German ambassador in Chile, Irmgard Maria Fellner, on the consolidation of the Germany-ECLAC strategic alliance and the future perspectives of this common effort to support sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean. During the closing, the invaluable support of Manfred Haebig, who will soon leave the position of Coordinator of the GIZ Cluster at ECLAC, was celebrated.