Giving Compass' Take:

• TriplePundit reports on the rise of Medellín, Colombia’s second largest city, and a technological blueprint for what's possible in Latin America.

• From education to transportation to the environment, Medellín embraces innovation in many forms. What can other countries learn from its journey over the past several decades?

• Here's how smart cities can build more trust in government.

Is your company or NGO looking to open a regional office in Latin America, but you’re not sure which of the region’s dynamic cities makes the most sense for your employees and operations?

If your organization wants to send a message that it respects the region’s drive to grow sustainably, while taking an active role in what the future could hold for Latin America’s estimated 640 million people, there is one clear choice: Medellín, Colombia’s second largest city.

Forget that show on Netflix and the city’s troubled past; Pablo Escobar’s been dead for 25 years, and Medellín’s citizens are moving forward at a rapid pace that would make many cities in the “developed world” blush. Many Colombians, along with the foreign travelers who keep visiting the country in increasing numbers, will be quick to say this city home to 2.5 million people and the capital of the Department of Antioquia is their favorite city south of the Panama Canal. The reason? Time and time again, you’ll hear the word “vibe” being attributed to Medellín.

There are several underlying reasons that explain Medellín’s vibe while contributing to its emergence as one of the world’s leading “smart cities.” Medellín has had no shortage of awards that herald the city’s innovative approach towards politics, social innovation and sustainability. The city’s leadership in the following areas only tell part of the story behind Medellín’s transformation.

Read the full article about Latin America's leading smart city by Leon Kaye at TriplePundit.