Progressive Politics and Inclusive Social Housing: Enablers and Barriers to Transformative Change in Bogota

Governing authorities in cities around the world are facing challenges to incentivize compact and more inclusive cities through investments in social housing. This paper investigates the case of Plaza de la Hoja – a public housing complex in a Bogota, considered to be the flagship project in a larger, city-wide progressive vision built on a commitment to bringing public housing for the poor to the inner city. Through a focus on the dynamic relationships between comprehensive urban plans, specific project components, and post-project reactions, we document the pitfalls and possibilities for implementing progressive policy agendas.