Soacha and Cartagena Move Forward with New Urban Planning Plans

The municipality of Soacha will begin council debate on its new Plan de Ordenamiento Territorial (POT), which aims to guide the city's growth through 2039. After more than two decades without an update, the plan was presented to the community, covering housing, mobility, public space, education, health, services and environmental protection. Mayor Julián Sánchez ‘Perico’ said the POT seeks to correct problems from rapid, unplanned expansion and will be examined by the council’s Commission II.

In Cartagena, a newly issued POT has sparked criticism for omitting detailed risk studies despite the city’s high exposure to floods, erosion and landslides. Analysts warn that, without these studies, the plan could prevent the issuance of urban development licenses for roughly 84 % of the district, hindering future construction and investment.

Both cities illustrate the challenges Colombian municipalities face in updating territorial planning frameworks while balancing community input, technical requirements and development needs.