Awards and Distinctions

Bogota has undergone an extraordinary transformation over the past few years.  Below are some of the international awards that Bogota has received.

	World Book Capital (Capital Mundial del Libro) 2007: UNESCO named Bogota a World Book capital in recognition of the multiple programs to encourage reading
	Gold Lion for Best City 2006: During the tenth edition of the Venice Biennal, Bogota received this award for its innovative solutions for mobility, social inclusion, and the use of the public space
	City with Heart 2005: This UN award was given in recognition of the volunteer work that contributes to urban development at a community level in Bogota
	Active Cities-Healthy Cities 2005: This award recognized Bogota´s outdoor bicycle and physical activity programs
	Digital City 2004: This award recognized Bogota’s innovative e-government initiatives
	Cities for Peace 2002: This UNESCO award recognized initiatives that build social cohesion and foment the spirit of good neighborliness in Bogota
	Access to Learning - 2002: Recognition from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for the efforts Bogota has made to provide citizens with information in an effective and easily accessed manner
	Stockholm Challenge 2000: This award recognizes Bogota’s “Day without Cars” as an innovative proposal for urban mobility

In addition some of the most important international media has taken note of the transformation of Bogota:

• Bogota, the fourth largest city in South America, with seven million inhabitants, has many varied restaurants, world-class museums and a magical colonial quarter, It is the capital of Colombia and its intellectual centre, an city filled with bright lights that is friendly to pedestrians who have 75 miles of streets for their exclusive use, be they cycling or walking, every Sunday. Plus the climate is mild, maximum temperatures of 60°F year-round.
  Seth Kugel, The New York Times
  
• Bogota, that once was a chaotic capital is now a model city. The visionary leadership of the last three Mayor’s is reflected in the city’s positive transformation. Public finances have improved while insecurity and traffic jams have diminished, and numerous works in infrastructure and more orderly traffic have made Bogota liveable again! Experts in urban planning from all over the world are looking closely at its example.
  Chris Kraul, Los Angeles Times
  
• Bogota, the capital of the country is a mirror image of all Colombia: a city with futurist architecture, culturally dynamic and intellectually alive and diverse, splendid colonial churches and brilliant museums.