Cali - 100 Resilient Cities

Cali’s Resilience Story

Cali has one of the fastest-growing economies in Colombia, and a burgeoning population to match, due in part to thousands who have been forcibly displaced by armed conflict. Many of these new residents are concentrating in high-risk, informal settlements, with limited access to health and other basic public services. These settlements often face increased exposure to flooding due to the vulnerability of the Cauca River dike.

To protect and integrate these residents, officials have relocated thousands of households. The national government has provided funding to improve the waterway containment infrastructure. Cali is also working on methods to increase equitable access to affordable housing as part of an effort to address crime, violence, and inequality.

SHOCKS AND STRESSES

Crime / Violence
Displaced Populations / Migrants
Earthquake
Economic Inequality
Fire
Infrastructure Failure
Lack of Affordable Housing
Rainfall Flooding

Meet The Chief Resilience Officer

Vivian Argueta serves as the Chief Resilience Officer (CRO) or Directora de Resiliencia for the city of Cali. Prior to her appointment as CRO, Vivian coordinated the Inclusive Territories and Opportunities Strategy in Cali (Territorios de Inclusión y Oportunidades-TIO). Before settling in Cali, Vivian spent several years in diverse countries ranging from Paraguay to China and Israel driving urban development. Vivian is a passionate, energetic developer, committed to the transformation of societies through the empowerment of individuals through their access to services and resources.

Vivian holds a master’s degree in Public Administration, specializing in Urbanization and Social Planning from Tsinghua University – Beijing, and studied at Harvard University – USA and Landegg International University – Switzerland.