Colombia is located in the northwest side of South America, it has an extension of 1'141,748 square kilometers and a population of 48 654,000, with a density of 43.9 per square kilometers (UNdata, 2016). Colombia is the second most unequal country in Latin America, where 10% of the richest population of the country earns four times more than 40% of the poorest population (The World Bank, 2016). And although poverty has declined since 2002, inequality has remained constant. More than two thirds of Colombians currently live in urban areas, area that generates 85% of Colombia's GDP. According to projections by the Departamento Nacional de Poblacion (DNP, 2016) Colombia's urban population will reach 86% in 2050. This creates an obvious need for better and higher water services, light, housing, transportation, among others.
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The increase in urban population in Colombia has not only been given by the common causes that have led to the urban growth around the world (Cohen, 2006), but also by the social and political violence that has affected the country for decades, which has generated the displacement of about three million Colombians increasing urban poverty and the growth of slums (Calderon, 2008). Colombia has been classified as one of the most violent countries in the world at international level countries (Cotte, 2011). The increase of violence in Colombia is due to the presence of armed groups and drug trafficking, which has caused great impacts on the political, economic and social situation of the country. In addition to this increase in violence, the volatility of the economy has affected the most vulnerable population, deteriorating their social welfare and their quality of life (Cotte,
The increase in urban population in Colombia has not only been given by the common causes that have led to the urban growth around the world (Cohen, 2006), but also by the social and political violence that has affected the country for decades, which has generated the displacement of about three million Colombians increasing urban poverty and the growth of slums (Calderon, 2008). Colombia has been classified as one of the most violent countries in the world at international level countries (Cotte, 2011). The increase of violence in Colombia is due to the presence of armed groups and drug trafficking, which has caused great impacts on the political, economic and social situation of the country. In addition to this increase in violence, the volatility of the economy has affected the most vulnerable population, deteriorating their social welfare and their quality of life (Cotte,