Likewise, it consolidates itself among the five best in the world at the Archello awards.
Neiva is once again in the international news. The Parque 20 de Mayo project, located in the town of El Caguán, was recognized with the CLAP Platinum 2025 Award, in the Ibero-American International Design Awards, a distinction that highlights excellence in architecture, urban planning and design in Latin America, Spain and Portugal.
This award, the highest of the call, recognizes not only the aesthetic and technical quality of the project, but also its community self-management model, becoming an example of how The union between citizens and institutions can transform the territory.
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Parque 20 de Mayo was born in the middle of a process of legalization of a settlement that for years lacked basic services and formal recognition, with the active participation of the community, it was possible to formalize the neighborhood, implement public lighting, gasification and public space networks, and finally build this park that today represents a symbol of social transformation.
“The project was designed and built collectively, involving the inhabitants of the sector, who participated in the planning, adaptation of the land and execution of the work. This participatory self-construction approach was one of the aspects most valued by the international juries, who highlighted the social, environmental and urban impact that this type of initiatives have,” indicated the secretary of housing and habitat of Neiva, Marwin Victoria.
The Platinum Award, Considered the highest recognition of the Ibero-American Design Awards, it was awarded after the evaluation of hundreds of projects presented by local governments, architecture offices and urban groups from countries such as Mexico, Chile, Spain, Argentina and Brazil.
“The world today talks about Neiva thanks to a project that reflects the best of our people, the ability to build hope through unity,” added the secretary. But the good news doesn’t end there. Parque 20 de Mayo was also selected among the five finalists for the Archello 2025 Prize, in the “Park of the Year” category, an international competition organized by the prestigious Archello magazine, based in Amsterdam (Netherlands).
“This competition brings together the most innovative projects in the world in terms of architecture, urban planning and sustainability, and the Neiva park will compete with works by China, Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Mexico,” the secretary said.
Archello magazine will open voting untill December 1, allowing audiences around the world to support their favorite project through the archello.com platform. In addition to the popular vote, a specialized international jury will choose the final winner, who will be announced at the end of December.
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The award includes financial recognition, which could be used to improve the immediate surroundings of the park, enhancing its urban and social impact. “Parque 20 de Mayo has thus become an icon of community renewal and participatory urbanism. Its design not only beautifies the Caguán landscape, but also offers a dignified, green and safe space for citizen gatherings,” the secretary pointed out.
With this double recognition—Ibero-American Platinum Award and finalist for the World Archello Prize—Neiva is positioned as a benchmark in urban design and community management in Latin America.
“What was once an irregular settlement is today a model of social transformation recognized on the five continents, remembering that big changes can begin with small acts of cooperation and citizen commitment,” concluded the secretary.
