Ekurhuleni and Medellin take hands for sustainable mobility
The City of Ekurhuleni and its Colombian counterpart, Medellin, have joined forces to strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest and the establishment of a mechanism to address pressing challenges affecting both cities.
This is according to metro spokesperson Themba Gadebe.
Both cities are supporting the core objectives of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in 2013.
“On April 21, this year, this association between the two metros was cemented at a round table discussion on urban planning, hosted by city manager Khaya Ngema, at the Kempton Park Civic Centre,” said Gadebe.
“The meeting was attended by a delegation from the City of Medellin, which was led by the ambassador of Colombia in South Africa, Martha Cecilia Pinilla Perdomo.”
Speaking at the meeting, the city manager emphasised the importance of nurturing the relationship between the two cities, for the realisation of goals such as urban development and sustainable mobility.
“The recent study tour we undertook to Medellin, in February, is set to yield positive results in the development and the advancement of Ekurhuleni’s urban planning strategy,” explained Ngema.
“Important focus areas of the study tour included urban acupuncture projects, modalities of planning, executing and implementing urban infrastructure, exposure to social and economic effects of locating infrastructure in poorer areas and exploring partnership and city-to-city relationships and exchange programmes.”
“Jorge Perez, the director of urban planning in Medellin, delivered an insightful presentation, tackling issues such as social processes and collective leadership, planning as a tradition, land management plans, urban redevelopment, Medellin’s transformation, the multi-model master plan and integrated multi modal transport system, as well as the city’s projects.”
Gadebe said both cities have committed to working together to promote programmes of mutual interest and development, share knowledge and skills in the area of service delivery and help each other in the area of institutional development.
A plan to sign a new MoU between the two cities is in the pipeline, so as to resuscitate the currently existing agreement, as well as to further strengthen relations for the benefit of their citizenry.
Ambassador Perdomo used the opportunity to extend an invitation to Ekurhuleni to attend the First Cities for Life meeting, in Medellin, from the August 31 to September 1. – @NalediBoksburg
