One of the central themes of her analysis is the persisting social gap. According to Ardila, "the beautiful and attractive city for international investment was built by excluding the poor, who continue to suffer precarious conditions in peripheral neighborhoods without structural solutions." The author argues that visible achievements contrast with the invisible realities of poverty indicators.
In another section, the columnist warns that the model's priorities have favored high-impact projects over the population's basic needs. In her words: "The Barranquilla miracle prioritized urban aesthetics over guaranteeing rights such as housing, employment, and quality public services for all its inhabitants."
The article also emphasizes the lack of community participation in the definition of the projects implemented. Ardila points out: "Decisions about the city's direction have been made from the top down, without incorporating the voices of the communities that suffer the most from the consequences of inequality." This calls into question the social sustainability of the adopted model.
While the official narrative portrays Barranquilla as an example of transformation, data on multidimensional poverty, informal employment, and housing shortages show that the benefits do not reach the entire population. The columnist points out that, despite national and international recognition, urban success does not necessarily translate into social justice.
The text concludes that the city's real challenge lies in rethinking its public policies so that investment in public works is not incompatible with inclusion. According to Ardila, Barranquilla needs to move toward a model that combines modernization with equity, "because it's pointless to have a gleaming city if a large portion of its population remains excluded from well-being."
In this way, the analysis provides a call to critically review the idea of the "Barranquilla miracle," remembering that comprehensive urban development must measure its success not only in concrete and parks, but also in its ability to improve the living conditions of those who have historically been marginalized.