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Even in Medellin the Not Over My Backyard rule applies.

Andrés Uribe and Theo Kruk, two executives with Metro Medellin witnessed that very problem. Though Metro Medellin was ultimately successful at building their Metrocable line (with significant portions of it traveling over people’s homes) there was initial concern from locals in the barrio of Santo Domingo which the Metrocable was to serve.

But when locals realized their property would likely increase in value and some people’s property would be flat out purchased at an inflated price (due to government expropriation), it became an easier sell. But remember: This was in Santo Domingo, a severely impoverished area of Medellin.

“You could never (fly over people’s homes) in a more wealthy neighborhood,” Kruk told me.

Flying over people’s property is a difficult proposition from a socio-political standpoint and should be avoided. It will annoy residents and might lead to delays and increased costs.

Just don’t do it. Every city has a myriad of public spaces that are ideally suited to cable: Roads, highways, rivers, parks, public space. Those are the spaces one should use cable in. One of the lessons of Medellin and Santo Domingo is the hugely positive change that comes from hewing to existing arteries, roads and causeways. Counter to initial thinking, a gondola system running overtop of an existing road increases civic pride, local investment, commerce and business. It creates positive feedback.

Do it there, and it will turn out beautifully.