Public Transport and Accessibility in Informal Settlements: Aerial Cable Cars in Medellín, Colombia

Abstract

The MetroCable in Medellín, the second largest city in Colombia, is perhaps one of the most prominent recent expansions of public transport infrastructure in urban Latin America. This article explores the question how and in what ways the MetroCable affects accessibility of the residents in two municipalities - Santa Cruz and Popular - where it operates since 2004. The presentation combines an analysis of the influence of the MetroCable on accessibility in general with a specific inquiry on female residents and the role of security. The paper adopts a differentiated conceptualization and indicators of accessibility. The analysis draws on statistical quantitative data from the Origin-Destination surveys for Medellín of 2005 and 2011/2 and about 30 in-depth semi structured interviews with female residents conducted in 2012. The paper concludes with a discussion on the possible lessons for planning interventions for improving accessibility of residents in low-income neighborhoods and a discussion on methodological implications.