This month’s newsletter is presented by Kerri, taking us to Cartagena, Colombia, a diverse city rich in history, growing economy, vast wealth disparity and abundant free Wi-Fi.

I’m standing in the middle of an ancient walled City in Colombia reading my emails, accessing my Facebook, enjoying the wonders of yet another easily accessible and free Wi-Fi hotspot, and bemoaning the pitiful standards of our internet availability back in Australia.  Whilst we pride ourselves on our standard of living at the expense of developing economies, it is ludicrous to me that when travelling in Australia, the best I can expect for free Wi-Fi is the Qantas lounge or McDonald’s restaurant.

 

Credited as the first city in the Americas with an operational fire fighting squad, it is perhaps not surprising that necessity continues to be the mother of invention in Cartagena, driven by strong economic and population growth, but this internet experience was replicated throughout the Caribbean ports we visited.

Developing as a bustling and vital economy, the city found itself continually invaded and under threat, resorting to developing a series of castles and walls from which to defend itself.  Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, the old town of Cartagena with its walls encircling the city and entry via the Clock Gate (Puerta del Reloj) is a magical urban space of cobblestone streets, squares, churches, and views over the sparkling Caribbean Sea.  The old town continues to be a bustling environment, with emeralds as prized and as sparkling as the azure Caribbean Sea, and as a testament to the town’s rich history and diverse cultural background, the old town and the entry to the old town is adorned with statues, cool green spaces, ornate architecture, cannons, as well as an eclectic mix of modern sculptures.

 

The City of Cartagena has attracted strong population growth, although statistics varying from 30% to 54% have been quoted as to the proportion of the population of Cartagena living below the poverty line.  Considerable population growth during the 1990’s was attributed to the forced migration of rural inhabitants, fleeing the effects of the civil war.  The City is projected to experience considerable ongoing growth, almost tripling its population between 2005 and 2033, continuing to challenge the wealth creation opportunities for the local community.

The City’s opportunities do appear to be diverse, as the country’s most significant export and domestic cargo port, a strong tourism market attracting some 118 passenger ships in 2008, increasing foreign investment as a result of improved security in Colombia, and developing as an affordable destination in the global medical tourism market, particularly for plastic surgery, weight loss operations and dental treatments.

 

Colourful, vibrant, diverse and engaging, Cartagena was surprising and my time there altogether too short.  Its proximity to the US, its natural attributes, deep sea port, diverse and innovative economy and underlying population growth, suggest that Cartagena will continue to exert its influence on the South American economy and attract foreign investment activity.  The challenge will continue to be planning for growth that is cognisant of the City’s historic development, has the capacity to absorb change and capitalises on its economic position – and free Wi-Fi completes the picture for a tourist!

WE ARE MOVING!!! Urban Economics will be in the new office, Level 10, 87 Wickham Tce, Spring Hill QLD 4000, as at Monday 4th July 2011. Please note we will be closed on Friday the 1st of July for the big move! Our new phone and fax numbers are: (P) 07 3839 1400 (F) 07 3839 1411