A Participatory Photo-Mapping (PPM) framework to observe and reflect on the transformation of public space: the case of the Paseo España Environmental Corridor in Bucaramanga, Colombia

Abstract

Public participation in urban planning processes is key to ensuring projects can be successful, can address community needs, and can be sustainable into the future. The current sociodemographic and political circumstances in Colombia, namely the opportunities that the peace agreement between the government and guerrilla groups, and the advances of regulations that help ensure public participation in political processes across the country, have contributed to the increasing need of creating community engagement processes specifically in urban centers that support urban planning decision-making while supporting community development and relationship building. In 2021, Bucaramanga, a capital city of 500,000 inhabitants, developed a Walkable City Plan and an accompanying Revitalization of Public Spaces Plan. These aim to move forward a vision of creating lively public spaces that enable connectivity, sustainable mobility, and ultimately improve citizens’ quality of life. As part of these Plans, Bucaramanga aimed to complete 400 projects by December 2022 for the city’s 400th anniversary. The projects were chosen by the architecture firm TABUU, with their technical and social teams working together on prioritizing the most impactful possible interventions. While there are certain requirements for social engagement these interventions must comply with, there is room to strengthen these strategies by creating more timely, open and transparent processes, by ensuring project assessment and oversight during and after the infrastructural intervention, and by leveraging existing digital tools to democratize information and data. Thus, this thesis reviews the academic literature, official documents, and relevant precedents that can help guide better practices in community engagement processes in Bucaramanga, and explores the opportunity of utilizing a participatory photo-mapping framework to enable spaces to collaborate, exchange knowledge, and develop relevant skills in community planning to continue increasing participation moving forward.