UCL Graduate Receives Highly Commended Recognition for Dissertation on Urban Inequality in Columbia

This acknowledgment, presented in October this year, is an accolade for the Royal Geographical Society’s Latin American Geography Prize for the 2022/23 academic year. 

Supervised by Professor Ann Varley and Professor Ben Page, Iñaki’s research critically examined the Encircled Garden project designed to curb the expansion of informal settlements on Medellín's urban-rural periphery. 

It sought to challenge the assumption that "green policy [is] a win-win solution to urban issues," emphasising that such initiatives can exacerbate existing inequalities if they overlook considerations of equity or justice. 

Focusing on El Faro in Comuna 8, Iñaki highlighted the community's resistance regarding the planned project which arose from it being implemented in a “unilateral” manner and without a comprehensive resettlement scheme. 

The research revealed how when projects like the Encircled Garden neglect to address the internal dynamics of urban growth (i.e. lack of affordable housing and internal displacement) they can inadvertently mark desirable areas for development, stimulating growth and potentially lead to community displacement.  

There were numerous challenges while conducting fieldwork in high-risk areas with the presence of narcotic and paramilitary groups. Iñaki credits the support of local community leaders and the Global Urban Research Collaborative for facilitating access. 

Reflecting on the experience of fieldwork, Iñaki remarked, "It was in Medellín that I began to come into close contact with poverty. 

“In a moment, people’s homes could be suddenly swept away in a heavy rain. It is then when you come face to face with people whose furthest horizon is tomorrow, you begin to understand the profound tragedy circumscribing the life of people on the continent.  

“I began to see there was something that, at that time, seemed way more important than doing a research project which was to help in any way.  

“In my personal engagement in research, I continue to wrestle with how to be human first and foremost with people who are in great need.”  

Receiving the highly commended status for the Latin American Geography Prize, Iñaki hopes the recognition contributes to amplifying the voices of community groups in Medellín advocating for social justice in urban development. 

After graduating, Iñaki moved to Hamburg, Germany, and now leads the Felix Jud Bookstore at the New Institute, fostering cultural exchange and interdisciplinary discussions on ecology, new forms of economy, democratic innovation and concepts for a better world.  

He plans next to begin a masters exploring post-extractive futures in Latin America. 

More information 

• Find out more about Royal Geographical Society’s Latin American Geography Prize 

Images

• Top: Photo of Iñaki at Parque del Rio in Medellin, Colombia
• Middle: Photo of viewpoint of the city of Medellin in El Faro, Comuna 8 during a tour by community leaders and residents