Jorge Bela, Bogotá Community Manager
Bogota’s historic center is spectacular. Beautiful and surprisingly well-preserved colonial buildings flank the narrow, cobbled streets. At the end of the steep ascent one can see the Cerros Orientales, the imposing mountains that rise abruptly 600 meters above the city. This sight is unusual in a city that, despite being located in the Andean range, tends to focus its attention on the flat savanna where most of its urban sprawl is located. Unfortunately, the historic district has suffered from gradual but steady decay during the last few decades. The main colonial and republican landmark buildings are generally well maintained, but most of the area suffers from problems such as severe lack of economic development, crime, near total lack of green spaces, degradation of low-income homes, and strong social inequality.
In order to reverse this decay, the City of Bogotá, through its Instituto Distrital de Patrimonio Cultural (IDPC, the local government branch dedicated to the preservation of the City’s historic heritage), is in the final stages of the elaboration of the Plan de Revitalización del Centro Tradicional (PRCT, meaning “Plan to Revitalize the Traditional Center”). This plan encompasses not only the colonial district, but the entire area of the consolidated city as of 1920, a total of 471 hectares. For about a year, the Institute has been seeking the advice of experts and has involved the affected communities in the dialogue. Bogotá is not alone in this process: many other Latin American cities have faced similar issues with their historic districts. The IDPC has therefore been able to explore other successful solutions adopted in neighboring countries. Experts from Lima, Guatemala and Bahía dos Santos (Brazil) have already been consulted. But this is not only a one-way street: Bogotá has been invited to participate in the 4th Cultural Landscape conference, organized by the Peruvian cultural ministry, to be held in Lima in December 2013. The IDPC is also seeking technical and financial support from the Inter-American Development Bank.
There are many reasons behind the need for cooperation between cities at the regional level, says Miguel Hincapíe, deputy director of the IPDC. Quito, for instance, undertook a very successful historic center rehabilitation project. And they were able to do so while keeping 70 percent of the original population. This is not a small feat, since generally, when funds start to flow into derelict colonial areas, gentrification rapidly ensues. “Traditional inhabitants constitute the life of a neighborhood,” added Miguel Hincapié. It is also important to seek models that allow for continuity despite political change. Mayors in Colombia are limited to one four-year term (re-election is allowed in non-consecutive terms, but it is exceedingly rare). It is clear that four years are not enough to undertake reforms such as those needed by Bogotá’s city center. Since in Europe and the US, term restrictions are either less severe or do not exist, it is necessary to find models in cities with similar political constraints, mostly in the same region.
The PRVCT includes a structure of independent and differentiated programs, each with a manager, under a model of public and private financing. This scheme allows for proper distribution of resources, mitigating the effects of political change. Among the urgent actions identified in the plan are the development of a housing program, the creation of a subsidy system for current inhabitants, and the signing of agreements geared to rehabilitating cultural and historical landmarks.
Latin America offers excellent examples of historical centers’ rehabilitation. Lima and Quito, both widely considered to be very successful, are in the same Andean region as the Colombian capital. Bogotá is showing foresight in seeking cooperation with its neighboring cities as it prepares its own conservation and rehabilitation plan.
Photo credit: Pedro Szekely