The construction of a four-tower housing complex just steps from the historic center threatens Cartagena (Colombia)’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The community is currently awaiting a judicial ruling on the Aquarela case, the name of the multi-family social housing (VIS) project.
According to statements by the Bolívar Business Council (Consejo Gremial de Bolívar)—the organization tasked with promoting competitive development in the city and department—the situation is delicate, as the advanced stage of construction complicates potential decisions. Given that the city is one of Latin America's primary tourist destinations, the lack of oversight from national and local authorities—who failed to act in accordance with the planning principles outlined in Article 2 of the Colombian Constitution—is difficult to explain.
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In this regard, the Business Council urged the Tenth Administrative Judge of Cartagena to "take measures, even beyond those requested, to achieve effective protection of the violated right."
This statement was issued after Cartagena's municipal ombudsman, William Jesús Matson Ospino, announced on Monday, January 29, that the court had "issued an injunction ordering the temporary suspension of the administrative decisions authorizing the construction of the Aquarela project," as reported by Caracol Radio.
Institutional neglect has become one of the primary weaknesses of local authorities in Cartagena, leading to the loss of several heritage properties and undermining heritage protection. Consequently, this has fueled interest among developers and buyers in real estate development within the city's historic center.
Meanwhile, the Mayor's Office of Cartagena, through the Institute of Heritage and Culture (IPCC), announced the schedule for the first half of 2018 for project reviews by the Technical Committee on Historical and Cultural Heritage. In comparison, in 2017, the committee met 23 times to review 151 projects, of which 40 received favorable reviews and 111 were rejected.
The Business Council has requested that the Ministry of Culture work closely with various district entities to finalize and approve the Special Management and Protection Plan (PEMP). This plan would establish the necessary guidelines to guarantee preservation, clarify regulations, and prevent similar situations in the future.
Similar situations have emerged alongside the Aquarela case, scrutinizing both Cartagena's urban oversight and its social housing (VIS) model. Following the evacuation of 16 buildings built by Constructora Quiroz that were on the verge of collapse, the Attorney General's Office requested a hearing to establish “protection measures” for the residents, who must also receive compensation.
The current situation in Cartagena has sparked a major debate regarding the social responsibility of the public entities tasked with enforcing building codes—responsibilities that may have been compromised. Currently, the public awaits the next steps that will determine whether the building near the historic center of Cartagena de Indias will be demolished.
Via Caracol Radio, Consejo Gremial de Bolívar.
This article was written by Yamid Rivera. The translation is powered by AI.
