In the era of Smart Cities, Medellin is making steady progress toward a smart city model that prioritizes technology, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration to improve the quality of life of its citizens.
As part of the Smart Cities Latam 2025 fair, where Ruta N and the Mayor’s Office of Medellin participated with four plenary sessions and a stand to showcase advances in the transformation into a District of Science, Technology, and Innovation, the panel “Medellin, Smart District: Innovation, Technology, and Partnerships for Development” took place. In this space, moderated by Carolina Londoño, Executive Director of Ruta N and experts from different public entities shared strategies, success cases, and expectations for the city's future.
Urban Management and Public-Private Collaboration
Daniel Felipe Escobar Valencia, General Director of the APP Agency, highlighted the potential of the public conglomerate and asset management: “The Medellin District owns around 3,520 public properties and now understands their management as an opportunity to create economic models for sustainable development.” These assets include public spaces, heritage, and fiscal properties, which—through legal mechanisms—can be entrusted to private entities to generate both economic and social value.
The APP Agency is a unique case in Colombia. While other national-level agencies promote public-private partnerships for strategic government projects, Medellin has recognized that strengthening these mechanisms allows the city to provide essential services such as mobility, education, and health in an efficient and profitable way. Escobar also emphasized the use of geospatial data to create impactful projects in partnership with the private sector, optimizing the planning and execution of key initiatives for urban development and utilization.
Digital Transformation and Data as a Pillar of Governance
Santiago Restrepo Arroyave, Secretary of Digital Innovation of Medellin, highlighted the District's commitment to data-driven decision-making: “We are increasingly working to manage high-quality, open data accessible to everyone, benefiting both citizens and public servants.”
One of the most innovative strategies in this area is Ciudadano 360, that places citizens at the center. Using technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence, and others, it identifies their needs and improves service delivery. This approach not only enhances the user experience but also contributes to public spending efficiency and the resolution of urban challenges through predictive data analysis.
Expectations for the Future of Medellin
Looking ahead, the APP Agency proposes the creation of a “corporate vehicle” to develop a business model that ensures sustainability and adds value to the city. Meanwhile, the Secretariat of Digital Innovation emphasizes the need to continue building strong data governance to ensure its protection, profiling, and optimization—improving the quality of public services and enhancing decision-making for the city.