Conservation & Management of Historic Buildings
Course 2005 -2006
Figure 1. Historical Center of
Pamplona.
Author´s archives. 2004
Figure 2. Pamplona´s main
pedestrian street.
Author´s archives. 2004
Department HDM – Lund University and
Swedish International Cooperation Agency
PILOT PROJECT FOR THE RECOVERY OF
THE URBAN SPACE AND THE CENTER OF
PAMPLONA –COLOMBIA
Recovering the most important pedestrian street and the
urban image to improve quality life of students and
Pamplona’s population
Oscar Eduardo Villamizar Garzón
Architect – Evaluator of the architectonical heritage of the Protection Plan of the
Council of Pamplona – Colombia – South America
villazzz@hotmail.com - vigar_ltda@yahoo.com
Abstract
The last government of Pamplona’s municipality has started significant steps
towards the recovery the public space of the heritage centre of the historic
center.
The main objective of this project is to articulate the advances that have been
achieved by the city in terms of public space recovered and urban image
improved. This statement tries to achieve a concrete experience, which result
must be the recovery the most important urban pedestrian and student axis of
the Pamplona heritage centre, in an integral way, thus being also a model
project that might be systematically replicated in other streets of the town.
Introduction
In the past decade, new urban plans have been implemented in Colombia,
especially in its main cities in order to manage the public space, heritage and
to organise new areas for urban development.
This has been the outcome of an adequate urban policy of the “Plan of
territorial order” (POT), and inter-institutional coordination between
governmental bodies, public services and the support of the community.
The present project set up two components to face the recovering of the
historical center in an integral way; in a urban level this paper establish a
methodology of interinstitucional coordination leaded by the mayoralty to
recover the urban space; and in a punctual level (appendix 1), which will
focus on the study of the “most frecuent problems in the wooden structures”.
A historical overview, and guidelines for its maintenance are taken in to
account in order to avoid the collapse and the demolition of this buildings
located in the historical center that represents more than the 60% of the
architectonical heritage of the city.
1
Oscar Eduardo Villamizar Garzon

Background
The last administration of Pamplona’s municipality has started significant
steps towards the recovery the public space and the cultural and
architectonical heritage of the historical centre. This actions has proved to be
successful; this achievement has been possible by the initiative of the local
government, but still is missing more conscience of the citizens to continue
with implementation of the local (POT) “Plan of territorial order” in order to
recover in an integral way the whole the historical center which will improve
the quality of life of Pamplona’s students and citizens. Figure 2.

It is possible to see the commitment with the recovery of the public space
through the projects developed, such as the restoration of the shores of the
river Pamplonita, La Calle Real project, in which the pavements of this street
were enlarged and the restoration of the aqueduct and sewer system were
made. The most recent project is the university axis environment whose
objective is to join the heritage centre and Pamplona university campus.

Geography

Figure 3. Aerial view of the historical center.

Instituto Geográfico Agustin Codazzi. Aerial
View. 1947

Figure 4. Main foundations in America.

Salcedo J. 1996

Pamplona is one of the oldest cities on the American continent. –Figure 4-

Figure 5. Plan of historical center and
Founded by the Spanish conqueror Pedro de Orsúa on 1st November in 1549, surroundings. Author´s archives. 1997
it was established on the commercial route between Bogotá and Caracas, and
was an important strategic enclave for the conquest of the territory and
consolidation of the Spanish empire in America during the colonial period.
Pamplona is located in a valley surrounded by mountains (East Andinean
region in Colombia). The selection of the place for the foundation of the city
responds to urban rules finally established by the Spanish king Felipe II, who
in 1573 published “The rules for new foundations in America”. Fig. 3 and 5.

2
 Pilot Project fo the recovery of urbn space and architecture of the heritage centre of Pamplona – Colombia.
Figure 6. Panoramic view of the historical
center. Archives: Foto Toloza. 1950.
Figure 7. Colonial house from the
middeless of the XVIII century.
Author´s archives. 2004
Figure 9. Republican house.
Starting the XIX century. Author´s
archives. 2004
Climate, population and main activities
The climate of the city is influenced by two aspects. The seasons (rainy and
dry seasons altered along the year), and its location on the level sea -
2300mts high -. The city is considerate a cold city with an average of 15
degrees along the year.
Currently, Pamplona has approximately 50.000 habitants; the city has a great
vitality and is an important and well known educational centre in Colombia.
Its university and colleges have a great national prestige and its students are
about 15.000. Pamplona is also a traditional commercial and touristy centre
in the east of Colombia.
Architecture and construction
As well as the majority of the foundations in America, it adopted the square
design as guide for its urban development, and its architecture took the
constructive techniques and Spanish typologies, mainly from Andalucía
during the colonial period.
There are four architecture typologies that define the urban image of the
historical center.
1. Colonial architecture. (From its foundation in 1549 to 1810).
About three centuries of Spanish domination, influenced by the architecture
of the south of Spain. The main constructive techniques used in houses,
churches and public buildings where: foundations in stone, massive earth
walls, timber roof structures and ceramic tiles on the roof. The courtyard
configures the distribution of the building and depending of its location
defines the typology in O, L, U, etc. – figure 7 and 8.
Figure 8. Colonial house from the XVIII century. Lateral courtyard.
Tipology in L.. Author´s archives. 2004
2. Republican architecture. (From 1810 to 1920).
Pamplona played an important role during the independence of Colombia, in
the first independence movement of Colombia was developed on 4th July in
1810 in this location. During this period and the following years Pamplona’s
architecture underwent a significant change, in which new models from
classic and the European renaissance periods were adopted. This radical
change of image of architecture respond to the new models introduced,
however the basic constructive techniques reminds. The courtyard is still the
element of distribution but its size is smaller.
3
Oscar Eduardo Villamizar Garzon

Figure 10. Market house. Republican architecture. 1920.

Author´s archives. 2004

3. Transitional architecture. (From 1920 to 1950).

This short period of architecture influenced by the French Art Noveau and
the Spanish Art deco leaves important buildings in the city. The main feature
in this period is that the ornament and the decoration were taken off from the
interiors and the facades of the buildings. The result was an architecture
more pure and plane that makes emphasis among vertical and horizontal
lines of the building shape. This kind of architecture was used in public
buildings like the actual municipality hall, theatres and also in housing.
Figure 11. Transitional architecture.
1930. Author´s archives. 2004.

Figure 12. Detail of the façade of a transitional building. 1932.

Author´s archives. 2004.

4. Modern architecture (From 1950- 1970)

Modern Architecture in the town arrives late in the 50’. There are some
exceptional examples in the city; its design were influenced by the
international movement of modern architecture and were used the basic
principles established by Le Corbusier en the earliest 20’s.

Figure 13. Detail of a modern

architecture building. Author´s
archives. 2004

4
Pilot Project fo the recovery of urbn space and architecture of the heritage centre of Pamplona – Colombia.

Problem
With the arrival of the modernity during the twentieth century, Pamplona’s
heritage centre has been affected by unfortunate interventions. This means
the loss of the great part of the urban spaces and architectonical historical
buildings. In addition to this cultural and architectonical identity loosings,
there are another socio economical factors that affect the sustainability of the
historical center as the followings:
ƒ A lack of knowledge among the community of the importance to
conserve the urban and architectonical heritage of the city.
ƒ Lack of the knowledge of the use of traditional construction
techniques and replacement of those traditional techniques by
contemporary techniques, such as concrete.
ƒ Unfortunate constructions over heritage buildings, like that, the
ancient buildings are loosing the technical, aesthetic and
architectonic values.
ƒ Lack of training and knowledge of the heritage buildings
maintenance.
ƒ Lack of urban conservation policies, standards and incentives by the
council that promote the conservation and maintenance of historic
buildings.
ƒ Economic limitations in order to maintain to the heritage centre
appropriately.

STRONG INTERVENTIONS ON THE HERITAGE

LOOSING IDENTITY AND TRADITIONS

CONSERVATION VS MODERNITY

Figures 14, 14, 15, 16, 17. Images of other

streets of the historical center.
Authors archives. 2004

5
Oscar Eduardo Villamizar Garzon

Hypothesis
Pamplona is a city with opportunities. As a mayor city of the area, it has the
commitment to lead the local development. Its geographic location, the rich
environment and the willingness of the people to have peace and improve
their quality of life are the best tools. But some limitations lead to the fact
that people and local government do not take advantage of their situation. A
lack of knowledge of local values like heritage, traditional housing, local
history, local arts and crafts, and traditions and also a lack of urban
conservation policies to conserve the city and historical buildings lead to the
loss of people’s identity and the loss of opportunities of the city to promote
tourism, and social development based on the heritage.
The Heritage Centre of Pamplona was one of the 36 historical centres in
Colombia that were declared a National Heritage in 1963. Despite of a lack
of urban policies and an adequate urban management, the city centre is still
conserving valuable buildings of the colonial, republican and modern
architecture, which deserve to be conserved or restored adequately.
In this way, Pamplona’s council with the support of the Ministry of Culture
has started the Special Plan for the Protection of the Historical Center (PEP).
The objective of the project is to create and implement policies that develop
a framework or system, which are able to protect the existent heritage centre.
This system must be a planning tool that regulate the new constructions, and
generates urban projects in order to restore the historic buildings, public
spaces and environmental systems. This means to bring sustainability into
the future urban development and the improvement of the quality of life of
Pamplona’s citizens.
One of outcomes of the Special Plan for the Protection of the Historical
Center (PEP) is the recovering of historical center in terms of public space
and the recovering of the urban image. The present proposal works in that
way and looks for a pilot project that could be replied systematically in
whole the historical center.

Method
The project has two important components to work with: 1. Intervention on
public spaces; and 2. Intervention on buildings located on the street
(Apendix 1).
The blue line on the map –street of the project- identifies the area of the
intervention.

Location of the project

← CAL

Colonial

Museo

Mz 007

UNIVERSIDAD FAR
Casa
Mz 052

PAMPLONA
LE

CAMPUS AFAE
Iglesia Ntra Sra
11 →

La Presentación

Plazue la de la
Colegio

de Las Nieves
Carmen

←
Ermita

←
CARR

Pje
ERA

R
del

3A
→

L
del Carmen
Casa cural

Mz 101
Materiales la
Deposito de
de Mercado

IA
←

Flecha
Colegio Sagra
Nuevo

Casa

BE
CA

B. SAN FRAN
RR

R
Bethemitas
ER

MU
Corazón
A 3A

DE PAMPLO
UNIVERSIDAD

DE
de las Clarisa
Monasterio de

Mz 102

Figure 18. Image of the pedestrian

→

Z
Convento
Santa Clara

← CARRERA 3 →
→
CASONA
← CALLE 6 →

Pasaje
← Pje GAMBOA →
do
La Presentación

Pasaje
El Ermitaño
Primaria

axis for the pilot project. Author´s

CISCO

NA

Mz 022
Capilla

← CARRERA 4 →

archives. 2004.
← Av. CELESTINO VILLAMIZAR →
Mz 054
B. EL OLIVO

← CALL

El Rebajón

Mz 019
C.C.
10A → E

← CALLE 5 →
Rincón de San

Pasaje
Cjto Resial El

Colegio Cambr

Casa de Merca
Ctro Médico
Fermín

Diagnóstico

Casa Agued
Gallardo de

Pasaje SAN JOSE

Villamizar
Shool

S.E.N.A.
Hotel Carion
Condominio

de

idge

do
Almeida

Cine Almeida

← CARRERA 5 →
go

Museo de Arte
Arzobispal

Colegio
Colegio Ntra

Domus
Popular

Palacio

Religioso
Banco

del Rosario
Mz 057

CATEDRAL
Mz 055

Santa Clara
← Pje Los Miserables →
PLAZUELA

DE VILLAMIZAR

← CALLE 2 →
ALMEIDA

GALLARDO
← CALLE 6A →

PARQUE
AGUEDA

←
Av. San Pasaje
Sra
Museo Anzoa

tand ← CARRERA 5A →
Mz 076

er →

Figure 19. Plan Conventions.

Orsua Moderno
Hotel de Arte
Telecom
← CAL

Mz 056

Pasaje Ortún Velázco

Museo
LE

Mz 196

RIO
PAM
10 →

PLO
tegui

NITTA
Escolar Gabrie
Concentracio

→
Iglesia de Santo
Domingo
Mistral

Granahorrar

de Bogotá

Club ¨El Comer

Plaza Real

Banco
Bomberos

MUNICIPAL
Banco

PALACIO

Green color. Ecological system. Parks,

C.C.

San Andresito
n
la

Colegio Básico
Pa

José Antonio
C.C.

saj

Galán
EL e
B. EL TOPON

squares and river shores. Magenta color .

I.S.S.
cio¨

H
Mz 005

UM
←

Mz 011
Coomultrup
Agrario
Banco

IL
CALLE

LA
Mz 005

de Justicia

DE
9A

Palacio

Royal street. Recovered in past years.

RO
→

RIO
PAMP
LONIT
TA
→

← CARRERA 7 →

Grey color. Limit of the Historical center

B. CUATRO DE

ATRIO DEL SANTU

Cine Cecilia

SEÑOR DEL
Pasaje SANTA INES

B. SANTO DOM

PLAZUELA BOLíV

Blue color. Proposal. Pilot project for the

Mz 012
B. CHAPINERO

HUMILLADER

recovering the public space and the

ARIO DEL
JULIO

AR

Mz O
INGO

100

← CAR
RER
A8
→
← CARRERA 8 → architecture of the city in an integral way.
Iglesia de Santo

Iglesia del Asilo

Universitario

Escribano Real
Rafael Faria
C.E.N.S.

CORPONOR
Bermúdez

Colegio

Domingo

San José
Casa de
← CALLE 6 →

Mz 099
Mz 060

Pa
sa
je LA
Pas

RA
aje

Plan taked from the PEP – Spetial Plan for

LIMITE ZONA HISTORICA EJE CALLE REAL ( 1 ) PROYECTO ( 2 ) SISTEMA AMBIENTAL ( 3 )
the Protection of the historical center. 2004
6
 Figure 19. Plan with the location of the cultural good of the city edestrian axis for the pilot project.
Pilot Project fo the recovery of urbn space and architecture of the heritage centre of Pamplona – Colombia.

7
S
B. LAS AMERICA
Urb. Campo Amor
Mz 021 Mz 027

Figure 20, 21, 22, 23. Images of cultural and architectural goods of the city locate on the axis.
Mz 017
Pasaje CALLE 1B
Mz 103
Mz 029

Plan taked from the PEP. Special Plan for the Protection of the historical center. 2004.
Mz 020
B. SAN AGUSTIN
Mz 018

BIEN DE INTERES CULTURAL ELEVADOS POR P.B.O.T.

Mz 104 Pasaje NIEVES - CALLE 1C
Pasaje SAN JOSE

← Mz 019
Pje
← RA
CARR FA
ERA EL
3A FA
→ Mz 022

SITIOS DE INTERES PROPUESTOS POR EL

RIA
PROPIEDAD
BE
RM
HORIZIONTAL
UD ← Av. CELESTINO VILLAMIZAR →
EZ →
CALLE 2
Mz 101
032
Mz 102
← Pje GAMBOA →

PRE-DIAGNOSTICO DEL P.E.P.

002
Mz 010 zon a comun
048
Mz 009
PRO PIEDAD
Mz 008

EJE URBANO PROYECTO

HORIZIO NTAL
2P
Colegio
Domus
← CALLE 3 →
Deposito de del
Colegio Ntra Sra
Materiales la Flecha Rosario
Heritage buildings locate on the street's project.

Pasaje

Mz 004
026
Mz 002 Mz 003 Pasaje LUZ
Pasaje
Pasaje

23
018
33
026
← CALLE 4 →
001 22
005 001
31
S.E.N.A.
Universidad
de Pamplona Museo de Arte
14006 Religioso cio¨
CASONA Mz 038 Club ¨El Comer
27
024
Mz 036 Mz 037
025
Hotel
El Ermitaño Palacio Orsua
Arzobispal
15
023 028
25 022
24
021 28
3
018
Casa cural 26
del Carmen
008
49
012
33

Pictures from the Author’s archives. 2004

029 020 019

BIEN DE INTERES CULTURAL DE CARACTER NACIONAL

← CALLE 5 →

BIEN DE INTERES CULTURAL ELEVADOS POR ATRIVM

Ermita
Las Nieves o 002
30
Colegio Sagrad Capilla 001
Atrio
Corazón Bethem
itas 16
001 21 PARQUE
del
AGUEDA
Iglesia Ntra Sra
Carmen
001
12 Mz 047 GALLARDO
5 19
012 DE VILLAMIZAR
Mz 048
20
Colegio B. CENTRO
La Presentación 18
29
A
6
B C
13
008 17
033
← CALLE 6 →
CATEDRAL
Convento Santa Clara
de las Clarisas

LIMITE ZONA HISTORICA

Monasterio de

Pasaje La Curia
C
B
A
Santa Clara 003 Casa de Mercad
o 41 Mz 196

← CARRERA 5 →
← CARRERA 4 →
10 Mz 054

← CARRERA 6 →
11 40

← CARRERA 3 →
Mz 055

CALLE REAL
004
La Presentación
← CALLE 6A →
Primaria
Mz 053

← CARRERA 5A →
003
9
al Mz 057
Casa B
Antiguo Hospit
Banco
Mz 056
de Mercado San Juan de Dios
Popular
A A
Nuevo 005
TELECOM
← CALLE 7 →
51

Pasaje
43
008
Mz 065
Teatro
Jauregui 50
Mz 063 44
Mz 064 Museo Anzoategui
CO
B. SAN FRANCIS
52
016
idge
Colegio Cambr
Shool
 Oscar Eduardo Villamizar Garzon

Images of the Actual situation of the street

Figure 24, 25, 26. Some images of the actual situation of the axis.
Pictures from the author´s archives. 2004

Actors involved in the project

In order to achieve the different objectives, in a urban level is necessary to to

work with the following actors:

LOCAL
MAYORALTY

PUBLIC LOCAL
SERVICES INSTITUTIONS
COMPANIES AND
CITY PRIVATE
CONFORMED COMPANIES
BY BUILDINGS
, PUBLIC
SPACES AND
ENVIRONMENT

INTERNATIONAL
COOPERATION
GUBERNA
MENTAL
BODIES

Figure 27. Interaction of the different actor involved in the project..

It is necessary to do an inter-institutional coordination leaded by the local

mayoralty in order to plan the actions and to allocate resources for the
project. The actions to work can include assigning responsibilities and
commitments from the different actors of the project.

8
Pilot Project fo the recovery of urbn space and architecture of the heritage centre of Pamplona – Colombia.

The local government through the Urban Planning Office will coordinate the
urban intervention. Its responsibility has the followings objectives:

ƒ To recover the urban public space and image of the most important
pedestrian axis of Pamplona heritage centre.

ƒ To give a better appropriation of the public space, to improve the

environment quality and to create new gaps for the culture.

ƒ To incentive the identification of the citizen through public space,

promoting the appropriation of the space by means of bigger
pedestrian areas and creating spaces that allows coexistences of
people.

ƒ To improve the mobility of the most important urban axis that is

crossing the heritage centre from north to south side of the city.

ƒ To work hand to hand with community, to let they know the

importance of the conservation of historical buildings, which will
strength local identity.

ƒ Give training and advice to the community in order to promote the

conservation of its houses through a maintenance plan, which will
help at the same time to improve housing conditions.

ƒ To recover heritage concepts. Therefore, the urban, architectonic,

environmental, aesthetic and historic values of the public space and
architecture can be re-established. To give an appropriate access to
handicapped, old and young people by means of ramps and suitable
slopes.

ƒ To coordinate work between public service companies of the city,

such as Empopamplona, Centrales Eléctricas de Norte de Santander,
Telecom, in order to promote, to manage and to lead this pilot
project for the city.

ƒ Finally, to allocate national and international support in order to

guarantee the realization of the project.

Results
Outstanding, Impacts and Success of the project

The realization of this pilot project will have different levels of impact on the
city and the community. The recovering of the most important pedestrian
axis of the city will benefit more than 10.000 students and inhabitants that
walk along the way from the main square of the city to the university
campus located in the south area of the historical center.
The recovering of the axis will improve the quality of life of the city; people
will have the opportunity to walk in a safer way along the street through
wider pedestrian ways free of obstacles and with appropriate urban furniture.
The stakeholders along the project will benefit directly by the recovering of
the facades of its properties which will have an improvement of its image by
an integral maintenance that will help to create a better atmosphere of the
city and a better environment.

9
Oscar Eduardo Villamizar Garzon

Parallel to this the people and community will have the opportunity to know
about the historical, architectonical of the city and the importance of
preserve this cultural values for the future and how these values can support
the local socio-economical development. By the recovering and maintenance
of its properties and building people and stakeholders could appreciate more
its heritage. With this experience people from other sectors and near cities
will know how they also can improve its own environment by creating a
culture of maintenance.

Conclusions
In a long term the improvement of the quality of life in the city, the
recovering of public space and architectonical heritage can benefit other
economical sectors in a local and regional level as museums, handcrafts,
hosting and tourist services.
The most successful benefit at doing this pilot project will be the creation of
a local awareness in the citizens about of the preservation of its cultural
heritage and how local development can be based on the conservation of
urban, architectonical and environmental values of the city and the territory.
This experience can be replied in the others 36 historical centres in
Colombia that were declared National Heritage that are facing similar
problems of destruction of its cultural heritage and losing identity; in the
same way other historical centers could work, to make competitive and
sustainable cities and territories basing its own social and economical
development on its the cultural heritage.

References
Castillo J.
1998 Manual de reglamentación de Poblados de interés patrimonial.
Colcultura. Bogotá. Colombia. 1998.

Ferrer M.
1993 Bienes de Inmuebles. Cartilla de mantenimiento. Colcultura. Bogotá
Colombia.

Fonseca L.
1994 La ciudad como patrimonio. Memorias del taller. Editorial Escala,
Bogotá. Colombia.

Jursich. Mario.
1994 La ciudad como bien cultural. Memoria del seminario. Colcultura.
Bogotá Colombia.

Mendoza Maria C.
2004 Special Plan for the Protection of the Historical Center. Pamplona.
Colombia.

Pérgolis J.
1987 Normas mínimas para la conservación de los bienes culturales.
Colcultura. Bogotá Colombia.

Salcedo J.
1996 Urbanismo Hispano-Americano. Siglos XVI, XVII, XVIII. CEJA.
Bogotá Colombia.

10