All large cities face the challenge of managing growth, expansion, and, above all, functioning as an integrated system. In Bogotá, one of the main issues is the mobility of both the commuter and resident populations. We spoke with urban planner and architect Liliana Mejía González, Director of the Projects Division at the Urban Development Institute (IDU), who shared insights into the District Development Plan 2020-2024 for the capital district.
While the Development Plan covers several areas, this article focuses on those related to urban infrastructure, with an emphasis on mobility.
Mejía shared the vision of the plan, which is currently in the pre-feasibility study phase and builds upon existing infrastructure. The IDU's Projects Division is responsible for designing and supervising proposals for the road network, public space, bike paths, regional connection corridors, and the improvement of preexisting roads and urban environments.
We cannot lose sight of the fact that we are working in a built city. And when intervening in the pre-existing fabric, we must do everything possible to generate the least possible impact. With the road network, the intention is for them to act as articulating axes across the city. This will function integrally, just like the human body does, taking into account the main elements that feed urban mobility, and how through the joints -where other systems converge- they are distributed and collaborate in an integrated manner.-Liliana Mejía
Regarding the priority of mobility, the plan envisions the city as an inverted pyramid that prioritizes pedestrians, followed by cyclists, public transit, and, lastly, private vehicles.
To realize this proposal, the development and improvement of public space serve as the common denominator across all projects, whether along the route of the Regiotram or in the areas connecting the aerial cable transit systems.
The Regiotram will utilize preexisting railways. Its first phase—which has already been tendered—will connect the population living to the west, from Facatativá to downtown Bogotá. The second phase—currently undergoing feasibility and design studies—will connect with the northern municipalities of Chía, Cajicá, and Zipaquirá.
To the east, the steep slopes of the Eastern Hills (Cerros Orientales) have historically hindered the development of road connections to neighboring municipalities. To serve these populations, an aerial cable car system is proposed. Following the model of Ciudad Bolívar's TransmiCable, two new lines are planned: the San Cristóbal cable in the southeast of the capital, which complements the Carrera Décima corridor, running from 20 de Julio to Altamira—with a potential branch to Juan Rey currently under study for recreational use. In the southwest, the Potosí cable will connect the border of Soacha, departing from the Transmilenio Portal Sur station. Finally, in the northeast, the Usaquén cable would link that sector of the Eastern Hills through one of two potential routes—via El Codito or Santa Cecilia—to connect either directly or virtually with the Northern Regiotram. According to the architect, if it is a virtual connection, public space interventions will be implemented to transform the disconnected segment.
Part of the strategy is to prioritize sustainability and the environment, which is why the use of bike paths is promoted as a primary mode of transit. Bogotá currently has 550 km of bike paths currently in operation. The development plan aims to add 35 km of semi-temporary routes to gradually promote bike use, create 226 km of new paths, and maintain 110 km of the existing network. One of the most ambitious proposals is the Medio Milenio bike path corridor, which will connect the city from south to north, running from El Tunal to 170th Street.
Finally, Mejía highlighted the effort behind the already-approved article for the green corridor along the iconic Carrera 7, known for its heritage and mixed uses. This corridor will act as a permeable boundary, connecting the city with the Eastern Hills.
This article was written by Santiago Baraya. The translation is powered by AI.
