Intermediate cities gain ground in development and competitiveness

For years, urban development in Colombia has been dominated by the shadow of large metropolises like Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali, which have dominated political, economic, and business attention, leaving intermediate cities as mere followers. However, two recent surveys show that this narrative is beginning to change.

Both the Modern Cities Index (MCI) of the National Planning Department and the City Competitiveness Index (CCI) 2025 of the Private Competitiveness Council and the University of Rosario agree that regional leadership no longer depends exclusively on size or economic weight.

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These reports, released over the past two weeks, highlighted that today, the engines of development are also beating strongly in mid-sized cities, which are combining innovation, sustainability, and good public management to close the gap with large capitals, despite the challenges posed by development gaps.

A new urban map

First, the Modern Cities Index (MCI), which assesses the performance of more than 1,100 municipalities based on 36 indicators grouped into six dimensions: governance, productivity, security, sustainability, science and technology, and equity and social inclusion, showed widespread progress by 2025, with a national average of 47.9 points, compared to a possible maximum of 100.

The most important aspect is not only the overall progress, but also who is leading that progress. According to the DNP, Floridablanca (Santander) and Manizales (Caldas) lead the national ranking with 71 points, followed by Tocancipá (Cundinamarca) with 70; while among the departmental capitals, Manizales, Bogotá, and Bucaramanga share the podium with the highest scores.

These results demonstrate that territorial development is not a monopoly of large cities, and that the presence of municipalities like Floridablanca and Tocancipá in the top spots is proof of the local processes of modernization and strategic planning that are transforming regional dynamics.

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"The index allows us to understand how territories are evolving and guide public policies toward more balanced and sustainable development," the DNP explained in the report.

The intermediate ascent

On the other hand, intermediate cities, those that are not large capitals but concentrate a significant population, services, and innovation, stand out especially in this indicator for their progress in science, technology, and innovation (STI), since National Planning indicates that this dimension was the one that grew the most in 2025, with Tunja, Pasto, and Manizales exceeding 90 points.

“In total, 41 municipalities (3.6%) achieved high performance, while 82.8% were in medium performance and 13.4% in low performance. The national average was 47.9 points, showing sustained progress, although challenges remain in territorial equity,” the report states.

At the departmental level, Atlántico (62 points), Caldas (61), and Santander (60) lead the way. Caldas was also the department with the greatest progress compared to the previous measurement, driven by its commitment to education, technology, and citizen participation.

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Competitiveness: a more open game

The outlook is complemented by the results of the City Competitiveness Index (ICC) 2025; a measurement focused exclusively on the 32 departmental capitals that offers a more economic perspective, as it analyzes 13 pillars including institutional environment, infrastructure, innovation, health, education, labor market, and environmental sustainability.

In the overall ranking, Bogotá DC holds first place with 7.47 points out of 10, followed by Medellín (6.67), Tunja (6.24), Cali (6.18), and Manizales (6.08). Although large cities continue to lead, the rise of intermediate cities is undeniable.

Tunja retains its third place thanks to its strong financial system and institutional environment, while Manizales and Montería are recognized for their emerging competitiveness performance. Montería, in particular, has the largest jump in the ranking, climbing three places between 2019 and 2025, driven by economic diversification and infrastructure improvements.

"We want this exercise to contribute to enriching the debate on the country's major issues from a subnational perspective on competitiveness," said Ana Fernanda Maiguashca, president of the CPC.

Gaps that still weigh

Despite the progress, both studies agree that territorial inequalities remain profound. For example, the ICM shows a 12-point gap between cities and dispersed rural municipalities, and while urban agglomerations reach 56.1 points, the most remote territories barely reach 44.4.

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For experts, this difference reflects inequalities in access to services, connectivity, and productive opportunities, which prevents urban progress from being translated uniformly throughout the country.

A similar situation exists in the ICC; while Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali remain above 6 points, the lagging cities, such as Inírida (2.87), Puerto Carreño (3.11), and Mitú (3.13), show a very low level of competitiveness, marked by weaknesses in infrastructure, financial access, and the labor market. This makes it clear that the narrowing gap between the best and worst cities in seven of the thirteen pillars is a good sign, but the challenge remains enormous.

With this data, it can be said that both the DNP and the CPC agree on a shift in focus that takes into account that urban development is no longer measured solely in terms of economic growth, but also in terms of environmental sustainability and quality of life.

Read together, the two reports paint a picture in which Colombia is becoming more polycentric, with development hubs emerging in different regions. While major capital cities maintain their influence, intermediate ones are consolidating as strategic nodes of territorial coordination.

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Manizales, Tunja, Floridablanca, and Montería have become examples of efficient management, urban planning, and the connection between knowledge and productivity; each, at its own scale, is helping to balance the national economic landscape. The challenge, however, is to turn this momentum into sustained convergence. DANIEL HERNÁNDEZ NARANJO

Portfolio Journalist