4.2
and that they are to be away from other forms of motorized traffic.60 The decree itself mentions that bike paths are an integral part of the urban fabric. They are to be independent and away from the sidewalk and roadway. The decree stipulates the minimum width of bike lanes, which is 1.2m in each direction. Bike lanes should be at last 0.6m away from lanes of motorized traffic and from other obstacles.61 This decree also quotes from Article 3 in Decreto 798 de 2010, which states that bike paths are to be specifically set aside from other forms of traffic lanes and that these lanes should only be used for cyclists.62 60 Housing, City and Territory Sector, Pedestrian Circulation Road 61 Housing, City and Territory Sector, Article 2.2.3.5.2.3 62 Housing, City and Territory Sector 63 TOD NAMA National Policy Roadmap for Colombia, Findings 64 TOD NAMA National Policy Roadmap for Colombia, Findings 65 Pact for Equity, Subsection 5, Article 1 66 National Public Space Policy, Introduction 67 Housing, City and Territory Sector, Section 1, 1.1 68 Housing, City and Territory Sector, Section 1, 1.2 69 Housing, City and Territory Sector, Section 1, 1.6 70 Housing, City and Territory Sector, Section 1, 1.1-18; Article 2.2.3.5.2.2.2
TOD NAMA (Transit-Oriented Development Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions)’s National Policy Roadmap for Colombia mentions provisions promoting non-vehicular connectivity by integrating access to sustainable transportation options such as designating walking paths and cycling lanes.63 The Findings section of the Roadmap also provides examples of existing policies that the new proposed policy is fully aligned with, and to support the idea that this is a priority for Colombia.64 Law 1955 of 2019, Pacto por Colombia, Pacto por la Equidad (Pact for Colombia, Pact for Equity) also discusses the prioritization of non-motorized transportation and mobility for all land use plans adopted by municipalities. These are classified as sustainable and safe mobility plans and prioritize modes of transportation such as walking,
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cycling, and public transit using low or zero-emission energy and technology.65 Similarly, within the scope of Vision Colombia 2019, CONPES 3718 gives priority to pedestrian and non-motorized transportation options under the ‘Building Friendly Cities” strategy. Building Friendly Cities “proposed the design of strategies to guarantee in cities: (i) improve the quality of life of its inhabitants, (ii) adapt the spaces where citizens live and interact, (iii) build friendlier cities, ordered under a planned urban development model, with adequate public space, and with inclusion towards the disabled population, (iv) articulate all mobility components such as urban mass or collective transportation, private transportation, bicycle paths, pedestrian ways, alternative systems.”66 The Housing, City and Territory Sector specifies how sidewalks are to be built to promote pedestrianfriendliness and walkability. The parameters are that sidewalks should be leveled, continuous, and free of obstacles. Hard, non-slip surfaces are to be used as paving.67 The decree also stipulates the requirements needed to ensure a continuous sidewalk surface in the event of a change in level roadway crossing, such as tunnels, stepped baths, and bridges.68 If sidewalks are included in a motorized vehicle lane, then it is required that different textures are to be used to protect pedestrians and delineate the sidewalk from traffic.69 The decree goes into great detail on sidewalk standards as well as engineering standards.70
04 . MITIGATION
The “Building Friendly Cities” strategy referenced in Law 1955 of 2019, Pacto por Colombia, Pacto por la Equidad (Pact for Colombia, Pact for Equity), also promotes connectivity through plot design rules for a walkable streetscape.
to establish general norms and maximum densities for suburban and rural areas to adhere to, in order to help protect the environment and natural resources.72 However, there are no provisions that define or help outline what optimal urban density might be.
The proposed policy changes within the TOD NAMA’s Roadmap promote accessibility to housing services, employment, and amenities and services by seeking to develop neighborhoods in close proximity to public transit. Under this framework, neighborhood design also prioritizes accessibility to public and greenspace, mixeduse and low-impact development, and calls for a reduction of inefficient passenger-oriented transport to reduce emissions and overall environmental impact.71
The System of Cities Policy establishes the System of Cities which uses four criteria:
The General Environmental Law establishes one of the functions of the Regional Autonomous Corporations is
4.3
LAW AND CLIMATE CHANGE TOOLKIT
1. Functional relationships among the municipalities 2. Population size 3. P o l i t i c a l - a d m i n i s t r a t i v e function of the municipalities 4. Strategic importance of the municipalities in the regions These criteria are used to systematize 56 cities, and these include density indicators, however defining an optimal urban density, or promoting it, is not a provision of the System of Cities.
71 TOD NAMA National Policy Roadmap for Colombia, Introduction 72 Ley 99 de 1993, Ley General Ambiental (General Environmental Law), Article 31 (31)
04.3 GREEN SPACES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE SERVICES The General Environmental Law establishes that one of the functions of the Ministry of the Environment is to manage and protect the areas of the National Natural Park System.73 Further, the law establishes biodiversity encouragement and requirements. While there is a heavy emphasis on protecting forests and their biodiversity in various ways, it does not establish minimum standards for green spaces, nor have a focus
on urban green spaces. CONPES 3919 (2018), Política Nacional de Edificaciones Sostenibles (National Sustainable Building Policy) specifies Colombia’s goal of having 10m2 of green space per inhabitant. More so, the broader goal is to have 15m2 of green space per inhabitant. Currently, Colombia has an average of 2.6m2 green space per resident.74
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73 Ley 99 de 1993, Ley General Ambiental (General Environmental Law), Article 5 74 National Sustainable Building Policy, IV: Diagnostics
