Social Urbanism as Public Policy Global South Experiences in Informal Settlements in Colombia, Brazil, Mexico and Paraguai

The event aims to create a space for dialogue and connection among Global South cities and experts engaged in the transformation of slums and informal settlements, through the exchange of experiences in social urbanism as a public policy framework. Rapid urbanization has intensified housing deficits, tenure insecurity, and socio-environmental vulnerabilities in many cities, where large segments of the population lack access to adequate housing, infrastructure, and essential urban services. These challenges highlight the need for integrated, people-centered urban policies that move beyond eradication approaches toward inclusive urbanization and territorial integration. The event will present concrete experiences from Colombia, Brazil, Mexico and Paraguay, illustrating how local and subnational governments have implemented social urbanism strategies that combine housing policies, infrastructure investments, urban services, public space upgrading, mobility, security, social work, and community engagement. These cases demonstrate how informal settlements can be transformed, through coalitions and partnerships, into safer, more resilient, and better-integrated neighborhoods within the formal city. Through the exchange of experiences among public officials and experts involved in policy design and implementation, the session focuses on practical solutions, methodological approaches, institutional and participatory instruments that have enabled positive outcomes across diverse urban contexts. The discussion will address shared challenges, success factors, and lessons learned, with particular attention to how integrated interventions contribute to urban safety, resilience, social inclusion, and the incorporation of a gender perspective in social urbanism, including slum upgrading programs such as Integrated City in Rio de Janeiro, Comuna 13 in Medellín, and the Utopias projects in Iztapalapa, Mexico. Designed as an interactive panel, the session prioritizes peer learning and exchange among cities, encouraging reflection on the replication and adaptation of these approaches in other urban contexts. By fostering dialogue among local governments, international organizations, and experts, the event aims to strengthen cooperation networks and contribute practical insights to the global debate on housing, informal settlement upgrading, and inclusive urban development, in line with the New Urban Agenda and the 2030 Agenda, particularly SDG 11 and SDG 5.