Cities

South Africa and Colombia

South Africa and Colombia, while geographically distant, share some notable similarities in their urban challenges. Both countries have undergone significant political transitions: South Africa moved from apartheid to democracy in 1994, while Colombia continues to grapple with a protracted armed conflict, the effects of which are still felt despite the peace agreement of 2016.

Cities in South Africa and Colombia face common issues such as inequality, violence, and socio-economic disparities. However, South Africa's urban landscape bears the distinct imprint of apartheid's legacy, resulting in stark racial segregation and inequality. Colombia's urban challenges, in contrast, are more closely tied to internal displacement due to conflict and recent influxes of migrants. 

Cape Town and Johannesburg

Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa's major urban centres, confront several critical issues. Both cities struggle with high unemployment rates, with the national average at 32.9% and youth unemployment at an alarming 45.5%. Infrastructure inefficiencies, particularly in electricity supply, have led to widespread "load-shedding" (planned power outages), severely impacting economic activities.

Water scarcity is another pressing concern, with Cape Town having faced a near "Day Zero" scenario in 2018 and Johannesburg experiencing regular water shortages. 

Both cities also grapple with high crime rates and persistent inequality, which are linked to the lingering effects of apartheid-era spatial planning. While Cape Town generally boasts better infrastructure than other South African cities, it faces significant challenges in providing basic services to self-built neighbourhoods.

Cali and Buenanventura

Cali and Buenaventura, located in southwestern Colombia, face distinct yet interconnected urban crises. Cali has experienced recurrent flooding due to its proximity to the Cauca River, particularly in self-built neighbourhoods. The city has also seen an increase in migration of people displaced by armed conflict, especially by Afro-Colombian communities from the Pacific region. Urban insecurity and social unrest, seen in 2021'snational strike, highlight deep-rooted issues of economic inequality and lack of opportunities. While Cali's inequality coefficient has shown some improvement, it remains a significant concern.

Buenaventura is an economically vital port and yet one of Colombia’s most neglected cities. Despite handling 30% of Colombia's imports, Buenaventura's poverty rate is 66%, the highest of any city in the country. Basic infrastructure remains severely lacking, with 65% of households lacking sewerage and 45% lacking drinking water. Additionally, Buenaventura's communities face ongoing threats from armed actors and state-led evictions, particularly affecting self-built waterside neighborhoods.