Lina Martínez | Universidad Icesi (original) (raw)
Papers by Lina Martínez
Sustainability, 2022
Street vending is one of the most important economic activities of the informal sector. This pape... more Street vending is one of the most important economic activities of the informal sector. This
paper highlights the diversity of street vending. We extend the previous analysis of the informal
economy in one city, Cali, Colombia, with data on informal workers in two public spaces: Downtown
and Santa Helena, and workers in the mass transit bus system. We show how the informal economy
varies greatly within one city. Provided the lack of data in the study of the informal economy, most
studies describe the dynamics of the informal sector as uniform across the urban space. In this
analysis, we present evidence about the spatial segmentation and diversity of street vendors by their
socioeconomic conditions, profits, and earnings. We further explore the spatial segmentation by
analyzing the large indebtedness and financial exclusion of street vendors. We report that workers
in the mass transit system are the most vulnerable and indebted and how the large indebtedness to
illegal payday lenders is a major barrier for street vendors to move out of poverty. We conclude that
it is important to understand the granularity of the urban informal economy in order to craft suitable
public policies.
Data in Brief, 2022
This report presents survey data about the socioeconomic conditions and governance of informal wo... more This report presents survey data about the socioeconomic conditions and governance of informal workers in Cali, Colombia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conducted with 750 street vendors via telephone, the survey explores eight interrelated topics: demographics, households and children, economic activities, income and expenses, access to finan- cial services and debt, institutional trust, health, and subjec- tive wellbeing. These data are valuable for two reasons. First, they allow for an analysis of the social and economic conse- quences of the pandemic for a population group that remains understudied and neglected by social policy. Second, they al- low for an understanding of the governance of informal work during crises and possible paths to promote greater inclu- sion. Taken together, the data presented here provide tools for conducting academic and policy-relevant analysis about informal workers, the long-term consequences of COVID-19 in the global South, and how recovery from the pandemic can be made more inclusive and sustainable.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021
Ciclovía Recreativa is a program in which streets are closed off to automobiles so that people ha... more Ciclovía Recreativa is a program in which streets are closed off to automobiles so that people have a safe and inclusive space for recreation and for being physically active. The study aims were: (1) to compare participant’s spatial trajectories in four Ciclovía Recreativa programs in Latin America (Bogotá, Mexico City, Santiago de Cali, and Santiago de Chile) according to socioeconomic characteristics and urban segregation of these cities; and (2) to assess the relationship between participants’ physical activity (PA) levels and sociodemographic characteristics. We harmonized data of cross-sectional studies including 3282 adults collected between 2015 and 2019. We found the highest mobility for recreation in Bogotá, followed closely by Santiago de Cali. In these two cities, the maximum SES (socioeconomic status) percentile differences between the neighborhood of origin and the neighborhoods visited as part of the Ciclovía use were 33.58 (p-value < 0.001) and 30.38 (p-value < ...
Citation: Mejia-Arbelaez, C.; Sarmiento, O.L.; Mora Vega, R.; Flores Castillo, M.; Truffello, R.;... more Citation: Mejia-Arbelaez, C.; Sarmiento, O.L.; Mora Vega, R.; Flores Castillo, M.; Truffello, R.; Martínez, L.; Medina, C.; Guaje, O.; Pinzón Ortiz, J.D.; Useche, A.F.; et al. Social Inclusion and Physical Activity in Ciclovía Recreativa Programs in Latin America. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 655. https://doi.
Cities have a significant influence on people's mental and physical health. City planning has the... more Cities have a significant influence on people's mental and physical health. City planning has the potential to change behaviors and incentivize a healthier lifestyle through the provision of public goods and urban infrastructure. The bulk of the evidence correlating city configuration and population health comes mostly from cities in the global north, with little evidence from cities in developing countries. This analysis seeks to contribute to bridging this evidence gap. This empirical analysis presents an insight into population health conditions (phy-sical health and overweight-obesity) and its correlation with gender and socioeconomic conditions. Data comes from an extensive annual population survey conducted in Cali, Colombia. Results show that women and the poor report a higher probability of poor physical health and a higher number of days reporting poor mental health. Overweight and obesity are slightly increasing in the city, particularly amongst women, but there is no clear pattern by socioeconomic conditions. Overweight and obese people are more common amongst married couples, with lower educational attainment and lack of physical activity. This analysis aims to provide insights that can better inform urban policies and city planners to contribute to the global agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals to make cities sustainable, equitable, and livable.
This paper analyses the dynamics of the informal economy in Cali Colombia. In particular it detai... more This paper analyses the dynamics of the informal economy in Cali Colombia. In particular it details the working lives and characteristics of street vendors in the main food market of the city, Santa Helena. It compares them with formal merchants in the same area and uncovers a major difference in income. Street vendors make more money. Government interventions to revitalize the area and create a linear park that requires the market's transformation and street vendors' relocation may be undermined due to the high earnings and expectations of street vendors.
The current policy emphasis on data-driven decision-making is creating the right incentives for g... more The current policy emphasis on data-driven decision-making is creating the right incentives for government agencies around the world that have not traditionally disseminated their administrative data to do so. The literature on statistical disclosure control focuses on the technical aspects of a variety of methods designed to protect data confidentiality. There is, however, a void in the literature in regard to what other elements are necessary to create and sustain a successful initiative. This paper examines six case studies of individual-level datasets. It reviews current
practice in several domains and summarizes recommendations from expert practitioners including challenges for future initiatives.
In this paper we present data from a recent survey of residents' satisfaction levels with a range... more In this paper we present data from a recent survey of residents' satisfaction levels with a range of urban public goods and government performance in Cali, Colombia. The more affluent report higher levels of satisfaction, especially with regard to security, public space, utilities and government performance, compared to the poor. The low scoring on satisfaction with civic norms and government performance, especially amongst the poor, undermines the notion of an aspirations paradox, suggests a lack of social capital and distrust of government, and indicates a social capital deficit. Our survey results indicate that strengthening the bonds of social capital, improving urban public space and working to improve public safety should be important areas of concern for urban and national governments.
Sustainability, 2022
Street vending is one of the most important economic activities of the informal sector. This pape... more Street vending is one of the most important economic activities of the informal sector. This
paper highlights the diversity of street vending. We extend the previous analysis of the informal
economy in one city, Cali, Colombia, with data on informal workers in two public spaces: Downtown
and Santa Helena, and workers in the mass transit bus system. We show how the informal economy
varies greatly within one city. Provided the lack of data in the study of the informal economy, most
studies describe the dynamics of the informal sector as uniform across the urban space. In this
analysis, we present evidence about the spatial segmentation and diversity of street vendors by their
socioeconomic conditions, profits, and earnings. We further explore the spatial segmentation by
analyzing the large indebtedness and financial exclusion of street vendors. We report that workers
in the mass transit system are the most vulnerable and indebted and how the large indebtedness to
illegal payday lenders is a major barrier for street vendors to move out of poverty. We conclude that
it is important to understand the granularity of the urban informal economy in order to craft suitable
public policies.
Data in Brief, 2022
This report presents survey data about the socioeconomic conditions and governance of informal wo... more This report presents survey data about the socioeconomic conditions and governance of informal workers in Cali, Colombia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conducted with 750 street vendors via telephone, the survey explores eight interrelated topics: demographics, households and children, economic activities, income and expenses, access to finan- cial services and debt, institutional trust, health, and subjec- tive wellbeing. These data are valuable for two reasons. First, they allow for an analysis of the social and economic conse- quences of the pandemic for a population group that remains understudied and neglected by social policy. Second, they al- low for an understanding of the governance of informal work during crises and possible paths to promote greater inclu- sion. Taken together, the data presented here provide tools for conducting academic and policy-relevant analysis about informal workers, the long-term consequences of COVID-19 in the global South, and how recovery from the pandemic can be made more inclusive and sustainable.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021
Ciclovía Recreativa is a program in which streets are closed off to automobiles so that people ha... more Ciclovía Recreativa is a program in which streets are closed off to automobiles so that people have a safe and inclusive space for recreation and for being physically active. The study aims were: (1) to compare participant’s spatial trajectories in four Ciclovía Recreativa programs in Latin America (Bogotá, Mexico City, Santiago de Cali, and Santiago de Chile) according to socioeconomic characteristics and urban segregation of these cities; and (2) to assess the relationship between participants’ physical activity (PA) levels and sociodemographic characteristics. We harmonized data of cross-sectional studies including 3282 adults collected between 2015 and 2019. We found the highest mobility for recreation in Bogotá, followed closely by Santiago de Cali. In these two cities, the maximum SES (socioeconomic status) percentile differences between the neighborhood of origin and the neighborhoods visited as part of the Ciclovía use were 33.58 (p-value < 0.001) and 30.38 (p-value < ...
Citation: Mejia-Arbelaez, C.; Sarmiento, O.L.; Mora Vega, R.; Flores Castillo, M.; Truffello, R.;... more Citation: Mejia-Arbelaez, C.; Sarmiento, O.L.; Mora Vega, R.; Flores Castillo, M.; Truffello, R.; Martínez, L.; Medina, C.; Guaje, O.; Pinzón Ortiz, J.D.; Useche, A.F.; et al. Social Inclusion and Physical Activity in Ciclovía Recreativa Programs in Latin America. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 655. https://doi.
Cities have a significant influence on people's mental and physical health. City planning has the... more Cities have a significant influence on people's mental and physical health. City planning has the potential to change behaviors and incentivize a healthier lifestyle through the provision of public goods and urban infrastructure. The bulk of the evidence correlating city configuration and population health comes mostly from cities in the global north, with little evidence from cities in developing countries. This analysis seeks to contribute to bridging this evidence gap. This empirical analysis presents an insight into population health conditions (phy-sical health and overweight-obesity) and its correlation with gender and socioeconomic conditions. Data comes from an extensive annual population survey conducted in Cali, Colombia. Results show that women and the poor report a higher probability of poor physical health and a higher number of days reporting poor mental health. Overweight and obesity are slightly increasing in the city, particularly amongst women, but there is no clear pattern by socioeconomic conditions. Overweight and obese people are more common amongst married couples, with lower educational attainment and lack of physical activity. This analysis aims to provide insights that can better inform urban policies and city planners to contribute to the global agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals to make cities sustainable, equitable, and livable.
This paper analyses the dynamics of the informal economy in Cali Colombia. In particular it detai... more This paper analyses the dynamics of the informal economy in Cali Colombia. In particular it details the working lives and characteristics of street vendors in the main food market of the city, Santa Helena. It compares them with formal merchants in the same area and uncovers a major difference in income. Street vendors make more money. Government interventions to revitalize the area and create a linear park that requires the market's transformation and street vendors' relocation may be undermined due to the high earnings and expectations of street vendors.
The current policy emphasis on data-driven decision-making is creating the right incentives for g... more The current policy emphasis on data-driven decision-making is creating the right incentives for government agencies around the world that have not traditionally disseminated their administrative data to do so. The literature on statistical disclosure control focuses on the technical aspects of a variety of methods designed to protect data confidentiality. There is, however, a void in the literature in regard to what other elements are necessary to create and sustain a successful initiative. This paper examines six case studies of individual-level datasets. It reviews current
practice in several domains and summarizes recommendations from expert practitioners including challenges for future initiatives.
In this paper we present data from a recent survey of residents' satisfaction levels with a range... more In this paper we present data from a recent survey of residents' satisfaction levels with a range of urban public goods and government performance in Cali, Colombia. The more affluent report higher levels of satisfaction, especially with regard to security, public space, utilities and government performance, compared to the poor. The low scoring on satisfaction with civic norms and government performance, especially amongst the poor, undermines the notion of an aspirations paradox, suggests a lack of social capital and distrust of government, and indicates a social capital deficit. Our survey results indicate that strengthening the bonds of social capital, improving urban public space and working to improve public safety should be important areas of concern for urban and national governments.