“I realized that we in the Third World are not going to catch up to the developed countries for two or three hundred years,” [former mayor of Bogotá] recalls. “If we defined our success just in terms of income per capita, we would have to accept ourselves as second- or third-rate societies – as a bunch of losers – which is not exactly enticing for our young people. So we are forced to find another measure of success. I think the only real obvious measure of success is happiness.” Globe & Mail
Related: LSE | Peñalosa keynote | Bike-Share Project
6 Comments
Wish we would do this more in the developed world.
Great article!
"By linking the economics of happiness to urban design, Mr. Peñalosa really does seem to have made Bogotans happier. The murder rate fell by an astounding 40 per cent during his term and has continued to fall ever since. So have the number of traffic deaths. Traffic moves three times faster now during rush hour. And the changes seem to have transformed how people feel."
Perhaps as Mr. Peñalosa suggested (to the La mayor) government should just let traffic and transportation issues get so bad/congested in North America that people voluntarily give up their cars...
What an idea!
Peñalosa was an exceptional Mayor. All one can hope that his successes do not get wiped out by the waves of corrupt politicians to come. Traveling back and forth to the city for the past 15 years I can assure that the difference is huge. It is increasingly greener and safer.
The city is getting better, but for Bogotá to flourish the HUGE gap between the urban spaces of the different classes and ethnic groups (Criollos vs. Natives and African-Colombians) needs to be addressed. But that will take a generational shift.
I second that wish namh. It's undoubtedly on the way, but I suspect it won't be nearly as elegantly implemented as Peñalosa's coup, at least not in the megalopoli.
What I love about Peñalosa's initiative is that it subverts Bruce Mau's Massive Change fatalism about the ascendant car culture in the developing world and suggests a rich alternative.
Maybe if Peñalosa gets reelected a cultural drift will create some opportunities for class reconciliation Q. (?)
He was already termed limited out of office a while ago. The mayor now is Lucho Garzon.
http://www.bogota-dc.com/varios/lucho_garzon.htm
from the article:
"A flock of young women rolls up the median's bike path, shouting, “Mayor! Mayor!” though it has been six years since Mr. Peñalosa left office (consecutive terms are constitutionally banned in Bogota) and he has only just begun his campaign to regain the mayor's seat."
AWESOME - guess i did not read closely. People love him and what he did for the city, I am sure he will get reelected.
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