Understanding the territory. Knowing physical and environmental restrictions, integrating analysis for public or private ownership, setting balanced urban, rural and protected areas, and identifying restrictions and opportunities to manage land as a common asset providing development opportunities for sustainable cities and communities.
OPERATIONS
Integrating solutions. Accessibility and connectivity to traditional centers, business centers, cultural and entertainment areas, health, and educational centers balanced with residential occupancy and complementary services, generating wealth and opportunities in the region.
VALUE
Add value to the city. Making equitable solution to add social Value (make it equitable). Providing efficiency managing the resources to give economic Value (be efficient). Building institutional capacity to growth institutions value (build trust and transparency). Improving the physical conditions adding land value (get land-use balance and be beautiful).
ENHANCEMENT
Be attractive for investors and citizens. Improving policy framework and legal measures, through implementation of financial mechanisms, participatory tools and smart settings, providing safe, affordable, and livable places.
LOVE4cities is a concept created by Milena Suarez, since 2015. Trough her international work in Latin America, Africa and Asia she is building a wide international network to share knowledge and bring value to the cities with projects of metropolitan planning, urban planning, transport infrastructure and urban design.
Interesting facts about her:
Originally, she is Colombian. She was born a depressed neighborhood in the southern part of Bogota, the capital city. Her mother is a public-school teacher, she taught her how education is the best opportunity to improve the life-quality. Frequently, she used to say: – I will not give you fish, but I will teach you how to fish –.
As basketball player, she earned half scholarship in the architecture school, got honor mention by her academic performance, and graduated in 2001. She is one of the few architects with master’s degree in transport engineering in the world and certificated in Metropolitan Planning and Smart Cities courses, and still she is learning French.
Her first job in 2000 was with a bus concessionary of TransMilenio (BRT system) in Bogota. She experienced the origin of one of the most famous public transport systems in the world and her city transformation. She participated in several phases of the system, later in the Integrated Transport System implementing different transport modes from bicycles, buses, cable cars (ART), and Metro.
She helped other cities in Colombia to implement BRT systems. This platform allowed her to start international assignments since 2008, understanding how transport infrastructure and land-use integration is the trigger to improve the urban performance and socioeconomic conditions in all cities.
Now, she found her purpose to create LOVE – Land Operations Value Enhancement – in the cities. She is committed to create the cities valuable, lovable, and livable with access to opportunities. Time to give back the opportunity.