Imagine a city of roughly 7 million people with over 180 miles of bike paths, an efficient rapid bus system, and walk-able sidewalks lining every street. The first impression that comes to mind may be a well-heeled European city or you may say to yourself “This doesn’t even exist!” What surprises many Americans is that this city is found right here in the western hemisphere. Bogatá, the capital of Colombia, recently experienced an urban renaissance that was spearheaded by Enrique Peñalosa, mayor from 1998 to 2001.

Previously a city many associated with violence, chaos, slums and traffic, Peñalosa spent his three-year mayoral term bringing in initiatives to make Bogotá an enjoyable, livable space for all citizens, rich and poor. His philosophy differs greatly from the worldwide model. Instead of relying on conomic growth, GDP, import/export, per capita income, etc. as a basis for progress. Peñalosa uses happiness as a progress indicator and eschews the false notion that money can buy contentment.

Every person needs to be able to walk, to be around other people, to enjoy beauty, to be in contact with nature and to not be excluded. Cars, by nature, are excluding. Roads exclude people who would rather not be run over. Peñalosa’s programs succeeded in reducing overall car use in Bogotá and created greenways and quieter streets for children to ramble and play. Bogotans now have something to boast of, whereas before Bogotá was just another sprawling, pollution-spewing third-world city.

After finishing his term as mayor, Peñalosa now spends his time traveling the world and teaching city planners, activists, mayors, and anyone else who will listen the “Bogotá model”. Parts of this model have been adopted by many cities in Latin America. The most common aspect implemented is the Bus Rapid Transit system. BRT achieves the same capacity as most metro/subway systems but at a fraction of the cost by taking the space normally congested by cars and giving it to large buses. Even Los Angeles has adopted a BRT route, dedicating highway lanes for busses.

Car-free Sundays, a tradition in Bogotá begun by Peñalosa, have also sprung up in cities around the world. Jakartans enjoying a stroll through usually congested streets can imagine their brethren on the other side of the globe in Quito doing the same.

What can Peñalosa teach us? That restricting car use does not restrict transportation freedom. Rather, creating more bike paths and pedestrian greenways creates freedom of access for all – from the average car driver to the disabled, to seniors, to low-income folks and to children. It does not cost a dime to walk to work or school nor is it terribly expensive to acquire a bike. Remember Peñalosa’s vision with hope – and imagine a cityscape that isn’t filled with horns honking, engines gunning and the associated dangers that come with car saturation.

 

Written with the help of Carbusters Issues #11, 20, and 17. Prague, Czech Republic: World Carfree Network.

 

Intrigued? There’s more on the web:

“10.13.06: Enrique Peñalosa” from David Byrne’s Journal, yes, Talking Heads David Byrne

“Putting Cars Behind” by Enrique Peñalosa in the Gotham Gazette, October 16, 2006.

Local orgs that promote transportation equity and walkability: Humboldt Partnership for Active Living (HumPAL). See also: “Arcata’s Walkability Audit,” Spring ‘06 Community Wheel newsletter article on HumPAL.