Urban development

In one of our classes of development economics, we studied the Industrial Revolution. One of the consequences of the Industrialization of UK was the displacement of rural workers into more productive activities in the cities.

The cities were not only the beautiful boulevards, with women dressed in silk and chariots on the pavements. The poor lived a miserable life – crammed into dark rooms, with no water or heating. It was a Dickens world, as one of professors put it.

And yet, they kept coming.

The world today is an urban world – over 50% of the world population currently lives in urban areas. In Latin America, the urbanization rate is even starker – it’s not uncommon to find urbanization rates of 85%. Adding urbanization, medium-low income per capita and high inequality of income distribution and you have a Latin-American average city. Now, imarrrine (little MPA/ID joke...) providing public services for 20 million people, dealing with local, provincial and federal government. The track record of efficiency is very poor in the region.

Chaotic, crammed, huge traffic jams, potholes, violent, scary place. Lively, energetic, beautiful, fun, creative, welcoming people. This summer, I have immersed myself on yet another huge Latin-American city – Mexico City.

I know myself better than to promise daily posts but I will try to have a little discipline this time.