2025 Award "Best Practice in Citizen Participation"

The Urban Development Institute (IDU) aims not only at infrastructure but also at building human connections, revitalizing communities, and laying the groundwork to ensure the sustainability of projects. "Infrastructure with Purpose in Action: A Model for Social Transformation on Avenida 68" is a good practice that exemplifies this approach, transforming the construction of 17.07 kilometers, spanning 10 localities and 58 neighborhoods, into a social impact engine for over a million residents of Bogotá.

This project is based on the premise that infrastructure not only transforms landscapes but also the lives of those around it. By integrating infrastructure with purpose, the IDU demonstrates that large urban interventions can be agents of change that strengthen social fabric, promote space appropriation, and generate citizen co-responsibility.

The first phase, "Memories of My Neighborhood," was based on respect and transparency of information with the community in urban development processes. Through discussions organized by the nine project groups, residents shared anecdotes and memories. The resulting photographic gallery, composed of images contributed by neighbors, strengthened local identity, highlighting the importance of the work within the community fabric.

Under the motto "I Build My City," the second phase aimed to create a direct connection between the work and the citizens, highlighting the active participation of the community. Photography workshops and on-site tours allowed both residents and workers to document and reflect on the positive impact of the intervention.

"I Commit to My City" was the final phase, in which the goal was to preserve and enhance the positive impacts of the work. Awareness-raising sessions brought the community together around public spaces and supported the workers on the project, strengthening the sustainability of the infrastructure as part of conscious urban living.

With "Infrastructure with Purpose in Action: A Model for Social Transformation on Avenida 68", the IDU reaffirms its commitment to a more integrated Bogotá, where each project is an opportunity to enrich the urban experience through citizen culture.

For more information: https://www.idu.gov.co/page/participa (External link)