How to help, and how not to help, the poor in the megacities of the South

Abstract

Generalising about urban governance and the urban poor across most of the globe is unhelpful. Unfortunately, I see far too many current examples of that disease. Latin America is not China and is most certainly not like most of Africa or the Indian subcontinent. A recent paper in this journal argued that every city in the South suffers from poor and corrupt management. While accepting that such a diagnosis is true of too many cities, this paper offers an antidote. It explains how Bogotá, Colombia, was transformed from a bankrupt and excessively politicised city into one that is quite well run. Unfortunately, Bogotá also demonstrates that progress follows an uncertain path and corruption reappeared in spectacular form when the electorate voted in a dishonest mayor. If Bogotá is no longer quite the model of competent management it once was, it demonstrates that decent government is possible in the South. That is a vital ingredient if the quality of life of poor people is to improve. © 2013 Taylor & Francis.