Off the wire
• Botswana, Malawi sign agreement on avoidance of double taxation  • Ghana reviews security measures after attacks in surrounding nations  • Obama to visit Saudi Arabia, Britain next month  • Urgent: Obama nominates new Supreme Court justice amid partisan fight  • Guangzhou Evergrande face elimination after 2-2 draw in AFC Champions league (updated)  • Liaoning taste spice and bitterness in Sichuan  • Air India flight evacuated after bomb threat  • Africa's growing middle class a sign of investment opportunities: expert  • IMF willing to support Vietnam in realizing development goals: IMF chief  • Relocation serves as means, not end in poverty elimination: vice premier  
You are here: 　 Home

Colombia's Medellin wins Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize 2016

Xinhua, March 16, 2016 Adjust font size:

Colombia's second largest city Medellin won the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize 2016, announced Singapore's Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and Center for Liveable Cities in a joint press release on Wednesday.

Jointly organized by URA and the Center for Liveable Cities, the biennial Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize aims to honor outstanding achievements and contributions to the creation of liveable, vibrant and sustainable urban communities around the world. The award seeks to recognize and celebrate efforts in furthering innovation in urban solutions and sustainable urban development.

Selected from 38 nominated cities, following a rigorous two-tier selection process comprising a Nominating Committee and a Prize Council, this year's prize laureate stands out for its remarkable transformation over the past two decades, according to the release.

Through bold leadership, long-term plans and social innovation, Medellin's leaders have tackled issues of uncontrolled urban expansion and years of violence due to social inequalities, with the economy improved and its citizens' employability and quality of life enhanced, the release said.

Kishore Mahbubani, chairman of the Nominating Committee, said Medellin's transformation has been extraordinary, as it has become a liveable and innovative city from being one of the world's most dangerous cities.

"Its success gives hope to many cities in developing countries, where the next wave of massive urbanization will take place. Medellin can become a Mecca of learning for them," Kishore said.

Mayor of Medellin Federico Guitierez Zuluaga felt proud for the city, saying a spectacular city that has come a long way also has a long way to go.

Medellin is no stranger to the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize. The city has been accorded a Special Mention in 2014 for its creative and non-conventional urban solutions. Auckland, Sydney, Toronto and Vienna were selected for this year's Special Mention to facilitate greater sharing of urban practices with other cities around the world. Endit