The Secretary of Planning, Patricia Caicedo, presented to the District Council the 2024-2027 Development Plan for Santa Marta, which seeks to promote the comprehensive development of the capital of Magdalena. The main objective of the plan is to address key challenges such as water supply and reducing social gaps, as the city prepares to celebrate its 500 years.
The Plan is the result of listening to the concerns and feelings of thousands of Samarians in the neighborhoods, communes and townships, as expressed by the Secretary of Planning when filing the document. For its construction, it also had the participation of more than 1,525 people from all corners of the city, who contributed with their ideas through participation tables in which 28 workshops were held, in addition to the participation of more than 58 people. in two specific tables: water tables and 500 years table, facilitated by the mayor’s office.
“Santa Marta 500 + addresses the present of our city and its citizens, but it also leads us to reconcile, to leave behind lost time and to unite again and work together for the city we want, so that we can once again feel that pride of being Samarians. , recover our identity and put the name of Santa Marta in the international arena towards 500 years, water, education, employment, security, sustainable development, among others. We will work tirelessly on this in these four years.”, highlighted Mayor Carlos Pinedo Cuello during the Government Council.
According to the Secretary of Planning, the budget of the District Development Plan contemplates an investment of 7,669 billion pesos, that is, 1.5 billion per year, with 419 prioritized goals.
These are the main purposes of the District Development Plan:
Key development enablers
The Santa Marta District Development Plan focuses on addressing the city’s fundamental priorities, such as access to drinking water, security, closing gaps with rurality and strengthening local identity. Strategies are proposed to improve the quality and availability of water, such as the construction of the drinking water conduction line from the El Curval PTAP to its incorporation into the main network in Mamatoco. In addition, the plan seeks to enhance the identity and development of the city in the context of its 500 years, through the execution of strategic projects and the celebration of commemorative festivities.
Within the 11 established goals, the management with the National Government for the financing and implementation of the prioritized projects of the 500-year Master Plan stands out; celebrate the 500 years of Santa Marta; Likewise, create the image of Santa Marta 500 years; the adoption of the Aqueduct and Sewer Master Plan; projects to ensure water supply; projects for flood control and stormwater drainage; the urban intervention around the recovery of the Manzanares River; the second phase of urban revitalization of the historic center; the urban revitalization of the Port environment; and the modernization and expansion of the Simón Bolívar international airport.
The prioritized projects include: the preparation of the dock and annex services for the docking of cruise ships and passenger transportation in the port of Santa Marta; the construction of docks or tourist piers for transportation between bays; the construction of a cable car network; the development of agricultural projects and a center for the promotion of crafts, within the framework of support for the popular economy; develop feasibility studies for the modernization and qualification of the railway for mixed transport of cargo and passengers and its urban use; the comprehensive improvement plan for urban and rural public schools and colleges; the Bolivarian cultural center (Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino); and the urban development of the expansion area with VIS and VIP housing projects.
Regarding the issues of peace, victims and closing gaps with rural areas, strategies are proposed focused on the restitution of rights, reconciliation and inclusion, aligned with national policies. 47 goals are included, highlighting the construction of rural cultural centers, mass affiliation to the health system for victims of the conflict, guarantee of educational coverage and free internet access in rural and urban areas, as well as psychosocial care for victims.
Sustainable and planned Santa Marta
This axis addresses poverty and basic needs, as well as access to essential services and urban development. The Development Plan proposes a set of comprehensive strategies to improve the quality of life of citizens, including urban projects, the revitalization of public space, mobility policies and the adaptation of the city to ecological changes, with a total of 76 established goals. .
Santa Marta advances in a modern social policy to transform lives
The Plan prioritizes attention to the basic needs of citizens and seeks to overcome territorial inequalities. A comprehensive approach is proposed that addresses issues such as health, education, decent housing, culture and sports, aimed especially at vulnerable groups such as youth, women, rural population, victims of conflict, migrants, LGBTI community and people with disabilities. With a total of 170 established goals, the aim is to guarantee a life free of violence and promote inclusive urban development.
Santa Marta productive and with more income opportunities
This axis focuses on boosting productivity and employment through the creation of new businesses and strengthening competitiveness. It contemplates the creation of a District Employment Agency to efficiently connect companies and job seekers, along with the strengthening of job training and the promotion of business formalization. In addition, the aim is to diversify the tourist offer and take advantage of the strategic position of the port and the airport to boost the local economy, with a total of 46 goals established for this purpose.
Open and participatory government
This axis contemplates a transparent and administratively efficient administration for a collective construction of the city. 43 goals are established that include the promotion of citizen participation, the simplification of procedures through a Single Window, and the updating of the Multipurpose Cadastre to improve tax revenues and tax collection.
The Council of Santa Marta will have until May 30 to assess the viability and relevance of the programs, projects and budget distribution proposed by the mayor of Carlos Pinedo Cuello in the 2024-2027 Development Plan ‘Santa Marta 500+’ .
