Public Space, Resilience, and Compactness in la Samaria Partial Plan. Ibagué, Colombia

Objective: To recognize the public space indices in the La Samaria Partial Plan, the largest in Ibagué, Colombia, and compare them with urban compactness indices to determine if they meet the projections outlined during its formulation, and to propose solutions for a sustainable urban future. Theoretical Framework: This study addresses the heuristic of the adaptive cycle and the resilience of complex natural systems adapting to urban environments, known as the concept of Social-Ecological Resilience, as well as participatory construction as a sustainable planning strategy. Method: A documentary analysis focused on sustainable development regulations with international references was conducted, along with interviews and surveys to identify needs and expectations, which were then contrasted through a correlation of results. Results and Discussion: According to the adjustment of the Clark-Evans index, the distribution of the ecological structure is random, indicating that urban land use is suboptimal, as it is not the product of orderly city planning. It repeats the traditional errors of urban development, which do not facilitate mixed uses to reduce travel distances and decentralize the city. Research Implications: Establishing evaluation criteria for developing urban areas allows for mechanisms to bridge the gap between regulatory and conceptual requirements and material reality. This way, urban developments can be adjusted before it is too late. Originality/Value: Urban development analysis is usually conducted after consolidation, so this study provides criteria to measure the accuracy of partial plans under construction, helping to identify possibilities for oversight, adjustment, and control that benefit the sustainable future of cities.