Property values and city size in Colombia

Abstract

It is often argued that many Third World cities have become “too large,” on various criteria, for national well-being. In some countries serious-even heated -debate has begun over whether urban growth should be encouraged or discouraged. The debate over “urban policy” has been particularly intense in Colombia. Colombia’s largest city, Bogota, has still not reached the size of the largest Latin American capitals, and a relatively large number of cities in intermediate size ranges has kept varied policy options open. Nevertheless, Colombian policy-makers have been openly concerned that the country’s urban growth might be distorted. Recent Colombian administrations have differed over whether development investments should be centred in the largest cities, or in smaller regional centres. The rival positions have been stated articulately by Gilbert (1976) and Currie (1975), respectively.