Medellín Council advances land use plan updates

The Medellín Council has approved the first debate of a proposed update to the Land Management Plan (POT), aiming to reshape urban development in key sectors of the city.

In El Poblado, the proposal seeks to reclassify Parque Lleras from high-intensity use to medium-mixed use. This shift prioritizes gastronomy, culture, commerce, and hospitality over high-impact activities such as nightclubs, in an effort to address recent issues with illegality and declining tourism.

The update also includes significant changes to Infrastructure Preservation Areas (API). Specifically, the proposal excludes the Montecasino estate—formerly the operations center for the Castaño Gil paramilitary clan—from the La Frontera park preservation polygon. By reclassifying the 2.9-hectare site for medium and low-mixed use, including residential development, the change aims to facilitate the eventual sale of the property to generate resources for the Fund for Victim Reparation.

The project is scheduled for a second debate in the plenary session on November 4.