Community participation and communication processes in the implementation of programs of resettlement of families within the context of urban development in the city of Barranquilla (Colombia)

Marta Hernández,Joanne Hernández Olmos,Liliana Celis Zapata,Kelly Pozo García,Magda Ospina Guzmán,Jesús Iglesias-Acosta,Sandra Meléndez-Labrador,Martha Romero-Moreno,Laura Cardona-Muñoz,Vicente Otero Chate,Elizabeth Vargas-Rosero,Carmen Viveros Celín,Laura Posso Menco,Rosa Rodríguez Ortiz,Alana Roa Narváez

doi:10.14482/sun.32.3.9751

Abstract

Planning processes of development and growth of the city of Barranquilla have required the relocation of the population living in areas of intervention actions. Under the current Land Use Plan of Barranquilla (POT) (1), the urban development project "La Loma" includes, among other activities, the transfer of a large number of people currently living in this area. For this reason, this article aims to review the current POT and other legal documents related to the Plan in order to identify and analyze the community participation component. The results of the documents revealed the presence of regulatory elements associated with community participation. The results also showed potentially useful spaces for the implementation of inclusive communication processes. Therefore, this article proposes a guide for the formulation of a strategic communication plan with a focus on participatory communication and dialogue facilitator to be used during the execution of urban projects that include the relocation of families.

Highlights

Barranquilla is located in the Caribbean region of Colombia
This article aims to review the current Plan de Ordenamiento Territorial (POT) and documents from City Council and the Mayor’s office associated with the POT and “La Loma” project, in order to identify and analyze the component of community participation and communication related to the implementation of this project
Taking into account community participation stipulated by the current Colombian and Barranquilla regulations guidelines, as well as lessons learned from other similar experiences, we propose a communication plan based on the theory of communication for social change [41]

Summary

Introduction

Barranquilla is located in the Caribbean region of Colombia. It stands as the fourth largest and most populous city in the country [2]. During World War I and the two decades after, the city reached its period of its greatest economic growth due largely to the strong influence of foreign immigrants who developed their business initiatives in various revenue streams of the economy. It became the most important country river, sea and airport port [4]

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