Hi Warren,

Thanks for creating this new public space for policy makers. Reading this prompted me to recall my last trip to Colombia, and as you briefly mention in your piece on Medellin, Bogota has gone through a very similar process. They also built libraries on the same principles - excellent design, open public spaces, built near the barrios - and combined with improved transit to reduce travel time for the poorest and ensure them better access to work and equal access to high quality learning and social spaces. Bogota also constructed a beautiful winding public park/pedestrian roadway which would be closed to traffic on certain days and filled with bicycles and people promenading. While I believe policies in Bogota have shifted a bit as new mayors have come into power there was a lot of emphasis on creating opportunities for people to reclaim their city spaces. A night where only women went out in the streets and men stayed home in solidarity. There were also mimes stationed at points in traffic flow known for frustrated/angry drivers doing stupid things - the mimes would caricature the actions and this had a marked impact on traffic safety. This is an example of transparency taken an extra step - the individual sees their own behavior mirrored back to them and others reflect on that persons behavior and likely their own as well.

I wonder how many other examples there are of this approach to public policy....

Thanks for writing this up.