Policy learning : new challenges for smart value capture in Colombia

Abstract

Contribucion por Valorizacion is a form of value capture similar to Special Assessment, used in Colombia to complement Local revenues for major public infrastructure programs. SA's continued use countrywide and its resulting technical evolution has, despite some shortcomings, made it a value capture practice that is internationally recognized as a noteworthy experience. Participacion en Plusvalias is an instrument recently implemented to capture up to 50% of the increments on land values created by public actions, similar to betterment levies and unearned increment taxes. This newer, more complex form of value capture faces important implementation challenges, which need to be addressed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate both Special Assessment (SA) and Participation in Land Value Increments (PLVI), in order to understand what elements of the process of implementation and consolidation of SA, can inform a strategy to make PLVI a politically sustainable policy instrument. This study explores how local political economy has shaped and influenced the development of these two instruments, highlighting that despite their common conceptual origins, SA and PLVI are significantly different. Acknowledging these differences, the research unpacks the experience in Bogota with SA and sheds light on alternate approaches for PLVI's current managers to address the new instrument's challenging implementation arena. The findings of the study suggest that for PLVI to evolve and consolidate as a policy instrument in Bogota, strategic choices that reframe its management as a long term policy rather than a procedure, must be made. Complementary organizational strategies to enhance efficiency and to influence broader public support are amongst the valuable lessons from the experience with SA that underline the importance of a policy's responsiveness to its implementation arena for its political sustainability. The evolution of PLVI in Bogota is important, because it will strongly influence its debate in the rest of the country. For international scholars and decision makers, the comparative approach to understand the challenges this new chapter of the Colombian experience with value capture faces, can be useful to assess other policy environments; while the analysis of each instrument and its relation to the local political and legislative specificities, can be useful to temper these instrument's understanding.