Abstract

The objective of this research is to understand how Bogotá’s policies on graffitiing shifted from a criminalized act to a decriminalized practice and how those policies were implemented across two mayoral administrations. The case study examines two policies, Decrees 75 and 529, that decriminalize graffitiing in Bogotá using the theoretical framework of policy path dependence and policy layering coupled with decentralization of power. The article argues that decentralization of power established the ability of Mayor Petro to pass Decree 75, which created a policy path. Policy layering occurred with the passage of an amendment, Decree 529. Policy path dependence explains why the decrees were resistant to drastic changes under the leadership of Mayor Peñalosa; incremental changes occurred in the institutional structure and implementation of the policies.