Peñalosa Bogota Talk - UN Conference

I was privileged to have an opportunity to hear former Bogota Mayor Enrique Peñalosa speak at UN Habitat's Third World Urban Forum, and what a *great* talk. (For those not in know, Peñalosa was the one who spearheaded the Transmilenio and other reforms of the transportation system in Bogota - he is now based at the University of New York).

What an experience!!!!!!!!! After nearly a week of droning, early-morning plenary speakers, Peñalosa's passionate delivery was postively energizing.

All around me I saw people from developed and developing nations: mayors, civil servants, NGO reps, and civic group reps perk up and become inspired... It was a beacon of hope and light in a conference whose opening notes beat a thrum of despair as we face ever-increasing slum growth in the cities of developing countries - up to 1/3 of all city-dwellers will live in slums.

The potential of these growing cities for investment into transportation infrastructure that is widely accessible, the energy savings by shifting from auto-oriented modes, the financial savings from costly freeways (that most can't use anyhow) which can be diverted to addressing other more urgent needs, the land savings that can be put towards other uses.. all inspiring.

And at the end of his speech, which had been interrupted at various points by spontaneous appluase, the crowd gave him a standing ovation.

I was so proud and pleased to be one of those who has seen the changes in Bogota first-hand. If there had been some means of instant teleportation to Bogota, most of the hall probably would have gone there. *

Several of the plenaries and special discussions from the Conference are available to view online as webcasts, including Peñalosa's address. The address to check them out at:

UN Habitat, World Urban Forum Webcasts - See Thursday Plenary for Peñalosa, - I think he was the 3rd speaker. Highly Reccomended.

For the world beat music listeners out there I also highly reccomend seeking music by the Moipei Quartet - you can hear them in the last 1/8th or so of the Closing Session and Ceremony, before the Circus Fantastique, or also about 1/2 way through the Opening Session. They have no CDs out yet.

*footnote: Later, I was less impressed when I stopped a group of the Bogota delegates for a quick chat. The rousing response must have gone to their heads. They looked down their noses at me, and nodded almost painfully. Disgusted, my parting shot involved a greeting to a relative who ranks high in the current District government, sadly that caught their attention, but it was good-riddance from me.
My mother's response: What petulant fools, if they had been from Santander they would have been nice. I wonder.

By adrimm on Jun 24, 2006, 19:39 in Friendly Talkzone.

Rubiazo says on Jun 25, 2006, 03:29:

She meant New York University I saw him give a talk there back in March I believe it was. And yes it was AMAZING. I really wish NYC would just ban street parking period the way they did in Bogota!

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adrimm says on Jun 25, 2006, 22:37:

Thanks Rubz Yes that was it - New York University...

And amazing is just the beginning to describe him.. it was great, so energetic and passionate. If *anyone* out there has an opportunity to hear Peñalosa live, go for it!

You know, it was funny Rubz: I always associate sidewalk/street parking with Colombia, and this Feb, while I noticed something was different about the streetscapes in Bogota, and even took a sidewalk-parking picture in another town, it wasn't until Thursday (listening to Peñalosa) that it dawned on me how absent sidewalk/street parking now is in Bogota (compared to what it used to be).

It took me over 4 months and a live presentation from Peñalosa to actually put my finger on what exactly it was!

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jun 26, 2006, 07:42:

A standing ovation at an urban planning seminar? There must have been a lot of born & bred academics from Minnesota in attendance. My adopted brethren would give the 15th annual roadshow of Cats or Les Miserables or Mama Mia a standing ovation (and they do!)

;-)

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adrimm says on Jun 26, 2006, 19:48:

More than Urban Planning Actually I think that there were more politicians and Civic group reps than planners there. Many from Africa and Asia, tons from Mexico - during the main sessions there were 10 active channels on the translation headsets. A crowd of roughly 10,000 people.

Cities in developing countries are seeing the most growth, and they were very well represented. I'm not sure that they would learn alot from us though. I spoke to one lady from Kenya and she said that even though it got dark in Canada early in the winter people were safe becuase they had private cars to commute in.

I think they should hold one of these forums in Bogota. Bogota obviously still has alot of challenges, but solutions from cities with challenges are more applicable to other cities facing similar challenges.

It was also fascinating how in some of the seminars people from across the world still grouped into their little peer groups and pointed fingers at other groups. Ie. Mayors blaming staff for being stopping points, the civic groups blamings mayors, people from local-level pointing fingers at federal/central-level people.

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Rubiazo says on Jun 26, 2006, 21:53:

Another thing Crime in Bogota has gone down WITHOUT significantly adding to the police force like they have had to do here, and it has gone down by a similar percentage. I truly believe that this is due to the fact that public transit is better.

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