Buenaventura : how can "New City" dreams meet existing local needs?

Abstract

This thesis explores the perspectives and development needs of Afro Colombian communities in Buenaventura, Colombia. These perspectives and needs are used to analyze a megaproject proposed for the city, known as the Economic Activities Complex of Buenaventura (CAEB). I argue that in order for the CAEB project to improve social and economic conditions within the municipality, its structure and implementation will have to look beyond macro economic growth and private sector profits to integrate community based knowledge and create real benefits for the local population. Based on this argument, I offer recommendations for strategic policy, programmatic and project based responses to the challenges for realizing the project's mission.