Traslated by Andrés Martínez Forero
Bogotá ’s International Relations Office coordinated an academic exchange between the University of Texas at Austin, Universidad de los Andes, and the Bogotá Secretariat of Social Integration. This initiative gave graduate students in architecture and urban planning the chance to explore Bogotá´s approach to urban development and social inclusion, fostering dialogue with international partners committed to building more equitable and sustainable cities.
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Throughout their visit, students toured a range of urban and social spaces across the city, analyzing how design and architecture impact equity and the delivery of essential public services. They compared Bogotá ’s urban challenges to those faced by other global cities and explored the city’s innovative models in infrastructure, access to opportunity, and land-use planning.
As part of the exchange, Secretary of Social Integration Roberto Ángulo hosted the students at El Camino, a center serving people experiencing homelessness, where they discussed the connection between social inequality and access to opportunity in urban contexts.
“Bogotá has made great strides toward becoming a more inclusive and equitable city. Exchanges like this are key to sharing our progress and continuing to grow through new perspectives,” said Ángulo.
Learn more about this academic exchange in the following Instagram post from Bogotá ’s International Relations Office:
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Una publicación compartida de Consejería Distrital de Relaciones Internacionales (@bogotainter_nal)
The workshop, focused on urban design in Latin America and the Caribbean, sparked a comparative dialogue between Colombia and the United States on city-building, highlighting the value of sharing experiences and solutions across borders.
As a result, students presented proposals for strengthening Bogotá’s public spaces with a focus on care and equity, offering ideas that could inform future urban policy.
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This initiative supports Bogotá’s internationalization efforts, positioning the city as a hub for social and urban innovation. The collaboration between academia and public institutions showcases Bogotá’s potential to become a global leader in inclusive city planning and social policy, driving strategic partnerships that benefit residents citywide.
