Implementation of Demonstration Projects for Innovative and Inclusive Tactical Urbanism: Integrating Circular Economy, Recycling Activities, and Early Childhood-Friendly Spaces through Architectural and Urban Design 

Purpose of CFP: 

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) requests expressions of interest to establish a Cooperation Agreement with an implementing partner for the co-creation and implementation of three demonstration projects focused on the transformation of public spaces through tactical urbanism. The interventions will promote environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and community well-being by strengthening recycling and waste recovery practices in Bogotá and developing safe, inclusive, and high-quality public spaces for early childhood in Medellín and Barranquilla, in coordination with local authorities and partners. 

Summary: 

The call for proposals seeks to identify an implementing partner to co-design and implement three tactical urbanism demonstration projects aimed at improving environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and quality of life through participatory, community-driven processes. The initiative builds on two complementary initiatives: the ReciclAgentes (UAESP) project, which addresses challenges in recycling and waste management while supporting waste pickers and improving public space conditions, and the EPPI–FEMSA project, which promotes safe, inclusive, and child-friendly public spaces in Latin American cities. Together, these initiatives position public space as a key driver of sustainable urban development by integrating circular economy principles, urban innovation, and inclusive community participation. 

Within this framework, the selected partner will be responsible for designing, implementing, and documenting three interventions: one in Bogotá focused on strengthening recycling and circular economy practices in public space, and two in Medellín and Barranquilla focused on creating high-quality public spaces for early childhood. The scope includes developing architectural and urban design proposals, implementing participatory and community-based interventions, ensuring compliance with local regulations and UN-Habitat standards, and coordinating with public, private, and community stakeholders. Additionally, the partner will generate technical documentation, communication materials, and lessons learned to support the replication and scaling of these models in other urban contexts. 

Project Key Information 

UN-Habitat Project title: Innovative and Inclusive Tactical Urbanism: Integrating Circular Economy, Recycling Activities, and Early Childhood-Friendly Spaces 

Location: Bogotá, Medellín, and Barranquilla, Colombia 

Estimated start date: May 2026 

Estimated duration of the project in calendar months:  

• Bogotá (UAESP): 4 months  

• Medellín and Barranquilla (FEMSA): 12 months  

Maximum proposed value in US$: 95,000 

Lead Organization Unit: UN-Habitat Andean Countries HUB 

Main activities and outputs 

The Implementing Partner will undertake the following main activities (but not limited to): 

List of activities: 

• Development of three architectural and urban design proposals (one in Bogotá and two in Medellín and Barranquilla).  

• Design of inclusive spatial solutions integrating recycling activities and early childhood-friendly environments.  

• Facilitation of participatory processes, including community engagement and co-design workshops.  

• Implementation of tactical urbanism interventions through community-based construction processes.  

• Coordination with public, private, and community stakeholders in each city.  

• Preparation of detailed budgets, work plans, and technical documentation.  

• Development of communication materials and documentation of lessons learned for replication.  

List of outputs: 

OUTPUT 1: Conceptual and detailed urban and architectural design proposals for three public space interventions, including plans, diagrams, and technical specifications. 

OUTPUT 2: Implementation of three tactical urbanism interventions (one in Bogotá and two in Medellín and Barranquilla), ensuring quality, safety, accessibility, and compliance with local regulations. 

OUTPUT 3: Community user manuals and gender-sensitive and inclusive design guides for each intervention, supporting long-term use and maintenance of the spaces. 

OUTPUT 4: Documentation and systematization reports, including lessons learned, replicability guidelines, and final evaluation of the interventions’ impact on public space quality, sustainability, and social inclusion. 

All documents must be sent, no later than 26 April 2026, to the following e-mail address:
⁠paises.andinos@un.org and addressed to the UN-Habitat Andean Countries Team with the following title in the subject: 
"Innovative and Inclusive Tactical Urbanism: proposal for IP consideration"