Bogotá (correct: Santafe de Bogotá), Colombia´s capital, was founded in 1538 in the plane and fertile "Sabana de Bogotá" in 2600-2700 m altitude. The estimated current number of inhabitants is 6,8 million; adding Soacha, which is bordering in the south, it amounts to 7,1 - 7,2 million.
The most important processes of the last decade influencing the urban structure and the urban function are:
The relocation of higher service institutions to the northern urban districts and the establishment of new central business districts: Avenida Chile / Carrera 7 - Carrera 15, Calle 100 / Carrera 7 - Autopista del Norte, partly even along the highway heading for the international airport.
The persistent suburbanisation of population to north-eastern, northern and north-western regions, partly to areas which are at a distance of more than 40-50 km. At the same time proceeds the relocation of high schools and universities to the suburban regions. The suburbanisation of the tertiary sector (shopping centers, specialized malls) takes also place along the main roads.
A high increase of districts of the lower class resp. their densification by the "desplazados": refugees/displaced persons from rural areas (civil war).
The rapid installation of a high-speed bus system on separate lanes ("Transmilenium").
Günter Mertins
Department of Geography
University of Marburg
