Equity and Climate Resilience in Bogotá's Public Space Policy: A Critical Policy Review

Abstract

In Bogotá, where long-standing spatial and social inequalities intersect with growing climate risks, public space policy holds the potential to either reinforce exclusion or promote resilience and justice. Decisions about parks, plazas, and green corridors are not neutral; they reflect political priorities, embedded values, and power dynamics. This thesis asks: To what extent, and in what ways, does Bogotá’s public space policy framework incorporate criteria of equity and climate resilience? Through this question, the research examines how policies define and implement these concepts, what types of interventions they promote, and what limitations may emerge. While prior research has emphasized the importance of inclusive and adaptive public spaces, there is limited analysis of how these principles are embedded in policy instruments in Latin American cities. Addressing this gap, this thesis develops an analytical framework informed by literature on urban environmental justice and climate adaptation. This framework serves as both an evaluative tool and a resource for policymakers seeking to move beyond vague commitments and toward actionable pathways for equity and climate resilience. The framework is used to analyze two key policy instruments: the District Public Space Policy (Política Pública Distrital de Espacio Público 2019-2038) and the Master Plan (Plan de Ordenamiento Territorial: Bogotá Reverdece 2022-2035). The evaluation reveals that both perform well, reflecting a genuine political effort to prioritize these issues. However, the findings also show that narrow or inconsistent interpretations of equity and climate resilience can lead to unintended consequences, and that significant implementation challenges remain. By grounding its analysis in a Global South context, this thesis contributes to international conversations on urban sustainability, offering both a critical lens and a practical tool. Ultimately, this research advocates for a shift in public space governance, one that treats equity and resilience not as aspirational ideals, but as measurable, structural commitments to a more just and climate-ready urban future.