Colombia | The Urbanization Craft

Cities can adopt either sprawling or compact designs, and their growth trajectory is determined by land disposition and zoning regulations. This can impact livelihoods, health, and mobility patterns. In Colombia, capital cities tend to exhibit a more concentrated design. Other municipalities tend to be more widespread.

Key points

• Key points:
• Urban design is heavily influenced by soil type, which dictates spatial utilization, as well as by the city's location, allowing for expansion into certain areas over others. Zoning regulations (POT) govern this degree of expansion and set growth limits.
• High population densities are responsible for 70% of the world's carbon emissions, exacerbating mobility challenges. Consequently, the environment can impact physical and mental well-being by up to 25%. Moreover, city design can determine job availability and access to public services.
• Globally, there is a push towards developing more sustainable cities. This trend is also evident in Colombia, where an increasing number of projects are pursuing sustainability certifications, particularly those led by major construction firms.
• In Colombia, departmental capitals (and their agglomerations) harbor larger populations and offer better access to employment and public services, albeit facing pollution and mobility issues. Conversely, in other municipalities, access to public services is severely limited, often leading to higher levels of poverty concentration.

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