New POT and Peak and Plate restriction for Bogotá

In recent days, the Mayor of Bogotá, Claudia López, adopted several important measures that significantly affect the lives of millions of inhabitants of the Colombian capital: issued by decree the Land Management Plan (POT), ordered changes to the vehicle restriction del Pico y Placa and decreed an increase in the city’s public transport rates.

The measures generated controversy. The expedition via decree of the POT was rejected by the Opposition and various social sectors that accused the Mayor of authoritarianism for not arranging the measure, despite the fact that the law gives her the power to go to said figure if the Council does not approve it. In her defense, Claudia López assured that her determination was forced by the inactivity of the councilors who had 90 days to discuss, modify, approve or reject the POT and did not fulfill that function.

The POT that was in force was approved in 2004 and for seven years it had to be modified, but it was not done due to different circumstances. Gustavo Petro approved by decree the Special Modification of the POT (Mepot), but a judge overthrew him due to procedural errors. On his side, Enrique Peñalosa took him to the council in his last year in office, but they denied him.

In the case of the modification of the Peak and Plate, the argument of the Bogotá administration is that the measure is taken to face the vehicular chaos that is expected for 2022 due to factors such as the gradual opening of 500 work fronts throughout the city, as well as the traffic congestion that occurs at the entrances of the city during public holidays.

Another measure in terms of mobility that affects the economy of the inhabitants of Bogotá was the increase in the rates of Transmilenio and the Integrated Transportation Service SITP. In addition, the registration of bicycles was ordered as a mechanism to fight against the increasing theft of these vehicles in the city.

Here is the ABC of POT and the new Pico y Placa for Bogotá:

Territorial Organization Plan (POT)

The POT is a territorial and land use instrument under which the guidelines of how and where Bogotá will grow in the next 12 years are defined. It has four fundamental pillars:

– Environment: establishes the creation of two new wetlands, green corridors and more public space, greening deteriorated areas. The rural part of the north of the city is maintained and protects the Van der Hammen reserve. It envisages a network of parks on the Bogotá River and an ambitious decarbonization project for both public and private transport.

The environmental projects include the extension of the Suba-Cota and Boyacá roads; the rescue of the Southern Media Luna (which will connect the ecological parks of the

oriental; the Entreubes park; and the recovery of the rural area of ​​Usme, Ciudad Bolívar and the Tunjuelito river. Also cancel the North ALO (it will only go up to Calle 80).

Transport and mobility: the POT establishes that mobility will be organized around the pedestrian and will favor rail mobility. This will translate into planning five metro lines (Bosa-calle 72; Suba-calle 72; Soacha-Centro; Usme-calle 63; calle 63-200), seven overhead cables, two Regiotram lines (west and north), 32 green corridors, 20 high-capacity corridors, 416 additional kilometers of bicycle lanes and 43 for cycle paths, 221 kilometers of improved pedestrian network and 171 hectares of green pedestrian public spaces.

In addition, vehicle parking regulations are created, bicycle parking lots will be promoted, platforms will be improved and electric vehicle charging stations will be promoted.

– Social policy and economy: decent housing will be guaranteed to the most vulnerable households in the capital, eco-urbanism and sustainable construction will be promoted, adequate waste management and an integrating structure of assets will be created.

In terms of housing, the proposal is to provide land for 1,500,000 homes, of which 56% will be for the lower-income population. The objective is also to establish quality conditions for housing, thus: 42 m² will be the minimum standard for VIP and VIS housing. 30% of the total habitable area of ​​the house will be for rooms.

In economic matters, the Mayor’s Office will give the conditions to execute residential projects with urban renewal, it will also give the guideline for the development of protection strategies and artisan production, creative and cultural industries in the neighborhoods of Bogotá. A city with a gender perspective is also envisaged.

– Territorial reorganization: the POT proposes the creation of 33 Local Planning Units (UPL). The idea is that these units replace the 105 UPZ (Zonal Planning Units) and the 20 localities that currently exist. The UPLs will collect the two figures and will remain as political-administrative bodies. This transformation will take place in two phases. In a first phase, in the next six years, the transit from UPZ to UPL will be defined and in a second phase, starting in 2027 -in the next district administration-, from UPL to localities.

An important point is that after the issuance by decree of the POT, the Mayor undertook to analyze and, where appropriate, modify by decree some points that have generated controversy such as the area of ​​the recycling warehouses, the cancellation of the North ALO and the rules

for the construction of new homes. Given this scenario, it is not ruled out that several unions demand decree 555 of 2021 by which the POT was promulgated.

Trade unions such as Camacol, the Colombian Chamber of Infrastructure (CCI), the Chamber of Commerce of Bogotá, Probogota and Fenalco indicated that “legal insecurity” would be generated. Andi and the Ministry of Housing even advocated for a concerted POT.

Changes in Peak and Plate

Bogotá begins 2022 with several changes. The main novelty is that as of January 11, the capital returns to its Pico y Placa model all day (Monday to Friday) from 6 in the morning to 9 at night.

The restriction will operate on even days for vehicles with plates ending in 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8, and on odd days for vehicles whose plates ending in 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9. Exception applies for shared car ( three people in the car, counting the driver) as well as Peak and Solidarity Plate that establishes that it is possible to pay to circulate per day, month or per semester.

The sanctions for non-compliance with the Peak and Plate measure are stipulated in the National Traffic Code for the violation C.14: “Transit through restricted sites or at hours prohibited by the competent authority. In addition, the vehicle will be immobilized”. The fine is equivalent to $ 447,000 in 2021, which will be adjusted to 2022 values.

Regional Holiday Peak and Plate (income to Bogotá)

There will be free entry to the capital until noon. Between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. Vehicles that end with an even plate and 4 p.m. will enter. at 8 p.m. vehicles with odd plates will enter. This measure begins next Monday, January 10, 2022, when the festive bridge of kings concludes.

The following are the nine corridors where the regional Peak and Plate will be applied on public holidays:

– North highway: from the Andes toll to the north portal, north-south direction.

– South highway: from the municipal limit of Soacha to Boyacá avenue, south – north direction.

– Avenida Centenario (13th street): from the Bogotá river to the Ciudad de Cali avenue (86th avenue), west-east direction.

– Avenida calle 80: from the guadua bridge to portal 80, west-east direction.

– Avenida Carrera 7: from Calle 245 to Calle 183, north-south direction.

– Avenida Boyacá via al Llano: from the Algerian Durán Quintero tunnel to the old via al Llano, south-north direction.

– Via Suba Cota: from the Bogotá river to 170th street avenue, north-south direction.

The District informed that the regional Peak and Plate will not apply when a holiday is on a weekday other than Monday. However, he clarified that “this organization will be done every time there is a high flow of vehicles.”