A new skyscraper is set to grace skies over Bogota, Colombia. Instead of one wealthy developer, the tower is being funded by thousands of people, each with their own stake in the property.
Colombia's tallest building when completed, the structure will rise to 853 feet at 66 stories. Called BD Bacatá Downtown, it will be "the first skyscraper built by famous common people" say its developers. "Bogota's tallest building is rising with $145 million supplied by 3,000 investors," writes Fast Company's Michael J. Coren.
"BD Bacata's backers say they will expand this model 'to the 99%' by developing amusement parks, clubs, malls, and resorts with capital from small investors (although most of those '99%' do not have $20,000 in investment capital, twice the annual income of the average Colombian)."
A similar approach to financing urban development is being pioneered in the U.S. by Fundrise, a Washington D.C.-based startup that is currently attracting investors for a building in the city's H Street Corridor.
FULL STORY: A Crowdfunded Skyscraper Rises In Colombia
Looking to the Future as TransMilenio Turns 20
The world's most famous, and influential, bus rapid transit system, which served 2.4 million riders a day in Bogotá in the days before the pandemic, offers lessons in transit planning and management as it enters its third decade.
Bogotá Uses 7,000 Public Design Proposals to Redesign its Main Artery
To reimagine the city's most important artery, Bogotá sought community input via an innovative online platform.
Bogotá Commits to the Bicycle
Colombia's capital city, the birthplace of the Ciclovía, is devoting public space to bikes during lockdown. To reduce traffic, the city plans to allocate even more public space to bike infrastructure and sustainable mobility moving forward.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Waymo Gets Permission to Map SF’s Market Street
If allowed to operate on the traffic-restricted street, Waymo’s autonomous taxis would have a leg up over ride-hailing competitors — and counter the city’s efforts to grow bike and pedestrian on the thoroughfare.
Parklet Symposium Highlights the Success of Shared Spaces
Parklets got a boost during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the concept was translated to outdoor dining programs that offered restaurants a lifeline during the shutdown.
Federal Homelessness Agency Places Entire Staff on Leave
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness is the only federal agency dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service