ABSTRACT
A comprehensive analysis of the challenges and opportunities of infrastructure construction in the developing world is the subject of a book on its own, or probably, of a collection of books. Infrastructure development is affected by lack of political will, which should not be taken for granted, even in richer, more developed nations. There are several reasons that justify the choice of prioritizing infrastructure for new developments rather than for existing slums. A common argument is that developing infrastructure in vacant land facilitates achieving economies of scale and mass production. Infrastructure accelerates economic development in informal settlements, notably because it facilitates the development of home-based income-generation activities. This chapter provides an example of how infrastructure and core-housing were developed in a recent project in Colombia. The provision of infrastructure in Juan Pablo II became an opportunity for including attractive urban features, such as the park on the existing hill, green areas within clusters of houses, sports courts and pedestrian paths.
