Background and Objectives:
Bogotá is the capital of Colombia and the most populated city in the country, with approximately 6.8 million inhabitants in the capital district. Urban poverty in the city affects 38 per cent of the population and 10 per cent of the population lives under conditions of extreme poverty.

The formal housing market for the urban poor, including families supported by direct housing subsidies, cannot satisfy the needs of more than 30 per cent of the poorest families. There are pronounced differences in social and economic conditions between the districts in Bogotá.

The two districts studied under the project, Bosa and Usme, are two of the poorest districts in the city, with 53 per cent and 67 per cent of the population living in poverty. In this context, the project will develop and apply a wide-range of data collection tools through direct surveys, fieldwork, and empirical and visual evidence to assess local conditions. This includes analytical tools that will enable a detailed assessment of the habitat needs in the two districts.

The objective is to identify and assess the conditions of the urban habitat in Bogotá in two districts, Bosa and Usme, in order to provide inputs for the formulation, implementation and monitoring of urban development policies and programmes in Bogotá.

Activities:
The main activities include:

• Designing of study methodology and matrix of policy formulation indicators.
• Identifying information sources.
• Collecting data and analysis.
• Field surveys and sampling surveys.
• Preparing, conducting and reporting on seminars and workshops.
• Drafting reports and consultations with municipal and other partners.
• Publishing final reports.

Results:

• Analysis and recommendations produced for the formulation of housing and urban development policy.
• Sampling methodology document published.
• Situational analysis document produced.
• Seminars and workshops conducted and implemented.
• Methodological document that explains the processes applied.
• Operations manual produced to ensure a continuous monitoring of habitat indicators