The Bikeways of Bogata
A great video about Bogata's ambitious ~ 350 kilometer bikeway system.
Riding Bogota's Bountiful Protected Bikeways from STREETFILMS on Vimeo.
Enrique Penalosa, the visionary who implemented this effort in his capacity of former Mayor of Bogata, is no slouch. A long impressive list of highights of his career can be found at this Project for Public Spaces Site.
“The importance of pedestrian public spaces cannot be measured, but most other important things in life cannot be measured either: Friendship, beauty, love and loyalty are examples. Parks and other pedestrian places are essential to a city’s happiness.”
– Enrique Peñalosa
Of course, one could argue that the importance of such spaces can be measured and quantifiable economic benefits can be proven ie.
"In Boulder, CO property values were 32% higher in porperties within 3,200 feet of a greenway. This resulted in an increase of $500,000 per year in additional property taxes, enough to cover the $1.5 million purchase price of the greenbelt in 3 years."
(Mark R. Correll, Jane H. Lillydahl, and Larry D. Dingell, The Effect of Greenbelts on Residential Property Values: Some Findings on the Political Economy of Open Space," Land Economics, May 1978)
But the romantic quote and the hard numbers can coexist without contradiction.
For more in depth exploration, check out this article from the Urban Land Institute on A U.S. Template for a Third Millenium City
Riding Bogota's Bountiful Protected Bikeways from STREETFILMS on Vimeo.
Enrique Penalosa, the visionary who implemented this effort in his capacity of former Mayor of Bogata, is no slouch. A long impressive list of highights of his career can be found at this Project for Public Spaces Site.
“The importance of pedestrian public spaces cannot be measured, but most other important things in life cannot be measured either: Friendship, beauty, love and loyalty are examples. Parks and other pedestrian places are essential to a city’s happiness.”
– Enrique Peñalosa
Of course, one could argue that the importance of such spaces can be measured and quantifiable economic benefits can be proven ie.
"In Boulder, CO property values were 32% higher in porperties within 3,200 feet of a greenway. This resulted in an increase of $500,000 per year in additional property taxes, enough to cover the $1.5 million purchase price of the greenbelt in 3 years."
(Mark R. Correll, Jane H. Lillydahl, and Larry D. Dingell, The Effect of Greenbelts on Residential Property Values: Some Findings on the Political Economy of Open Space," Land Economics, May 1978)
But the romantic quote and the hard numbers can coexist without contradiction.
For more in depth exploration, check out this article from the Urban Land Institute on A U.S. Template for a Third Millenium City
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