Effective public space in Manizales and Medellín, Colombia: quantitative evaluation of its generation and distribution in two normative moments

Abstract The urban public space -PS- is essential for sustainable, resilient, livable cities. Its relevance is recognized by politicians, institutions, and academia. However, its materialization is not as planned, especially in Andean cities in mountainous reliefs such as Manizales and Medellín in Colombia. This work explored the directives on PS in the national and local regulations established in the territorial ordering plans -POT- of the municipalities, of which there are two versions, two moments. Likewise, it evaluated the PS at the beginning of each POT to determine how much new PS was generated and in which parts of the city, as an indication to analyze the equity in its distribution. Important changes were found between the two generations of POT in both cities in terms of discourses, and in the conceptions of PS, declared intentions of equity, concentration of PS in some urban areas and lack in others. Cities are still far from achieving the goals set in the quantitative indicators and, furthermore, they are losing PS due to private occupation. The challenges are increasing, but in addition to the quantitative, it is necessary to consider characteristics of quality, accessibility and connectivity that give vitality to these spaces.