Urban integration of an informal area

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    Project update May 2014 – Urban integration of an informal area, Medellín, Colombia

    The recently-constructed USD 6.7million system of escalators rises almost 400 meters – the equivalent of a 28-storey building – and slashes the commuting time to the town center from 36 to 6 minutes.

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    Project update May 2014 – Urban integration of an informal area, Medellín, Colombia

    This brightly-colored peacock mural is part of a neighborhood-wide effort to increase social inclusion and the quality of life of the residents of the Comuna.

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    Project update May 2014 – Urban integration of an informal area, Medellín, Colombia

    Medellín se Pinta de Vida – Comuna 13 : visual transformation echoes social improvement.

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    Project update May 2014 – Urban integration of an informal area, Medellín, Colombia

    To date, more than 50 painted façades have been completed, and five people have been employed from the community who are certified to work at heights will continue to spread color across Comuna 13.

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    Project update January 2013 – Urban integration of an informal area, Medellín, Colombia

    The informal settlements climb the hills surrounding the main city in the valley.

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    Project update January 2013 – Urban integration of an informal area, Medellín, Colombia

    Metrocable connects the settlements on the hills with the subway and the formal city in the valley below.

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    Project update January 2013 – Urban integration of an informal area, Medellín, Colombia

    Comuna 13’s Metrocable line, a gondola lift system implemented by the City Council of Medellín, was opened in January 2008. Gondolas for up to eight occupants transport around 40,000 people every day.

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    Project update January 2013 – Urban integration of an informal area, Medellín, Colombia

    The electric staircases replace over 200 steps through 6 separate segments and climb 38m. Imported from Japan, the escalators were inaugurated in December 2011

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    Project update January 2013 – Urban integration of an informal area, Medellín, Colombia

    Centro Vida San Javier: public buildings and spaces enable a revival of interest in sharing within society.

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    Project update January 2013 – Urban integration of an informal area, Medellín, Colombia

    Centro Vida San Javier: the project also recovers public space in the informal settlement and thereby improves quality of life in disadvantaged areas.

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    Holcim Awards ceremony for Latin America 2008 – Mexico City, Mexico

    Holcim Awards Gold 2008 Latin America: (l-r) Carlos Rodriguez, Cesar Hernandez, and Gustavo Restrepo.

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    Project entry 2008 Latin America – Urban integration of an informal area, Medellín, Colombia

    Urban approach: physical and social transformation in action.

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    Project entry 2008 Latin America – Urban integration of an informal area, Medellín, Colombia

    Overview map showing proposed location for public spaces.

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    Project entry 2008 Latin America – Urban integration of an informal area, Medellín, Colombia

    Socialization.

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    Project entry 2008 Latin America – Urban integration of an informal area, Medellín, Colombia

    Projects profiles.

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    Project entry 2008 Latin America – Urban integration of an informal area, Medellín, Colombia

    Landscape and environment.

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    Project entry 2008 Latin America – Urban integration of an informal area, Medellín, Colombia

    Transformation of the space.

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    Project entry 2008 Latin America – Urban integration of an informal area, Medellín, Colombia

    Creating public spaces and social fabric.

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    Project entry 2008 Latin America – Urban integration of an informal area, Medellín, Colombia

    Social impact.

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    Project entry 2008 Latin America – Urban integration of an informal area, Medellín, Colombia

    Materials.

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    Project entry 2008 Latin America – Urban integration of an informal area, Medellín, Colombia

    Construction process.

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    Project entry 2008 Latin America – Urban integration of an informal area, Medellín, Colombia

    The winning team of the Holcim Award Gold 2008 Latin America.

  • Awards Gold 2008–2009 Latin America

Just a few years ago the city of Medellín was considered a center of violence and criminal activity. Now a fairytale transformation stands in its place. One of the catalysts for change is this project. Numerous measures and many stakeholders are involved in ensuring that the poorest receive only the best in infrastructure. 

By Gustavo Restrepo - Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (UPB), Medellin, Colombia and

Ideas: Urban Requalification, Economic & Social Empowerment

Just a few years ago the city of Medellín was considered a center of violence and criminal activity. Now a fairytale transformation stands in its place that attracted the 7th World Urban Forum (WUF7) in April 2014 to illustrate what can be achieved.

One of the catalysts for change, Urban integration of an informal area, continues to be implemented. Numerous measures and many stakeholders are involved in ensuring that the poorest receive only the best in infrastructure.

Urban integration of an informal area

Project authors

Project updates

May 02, 2014 | Project update | Medellín, Colombia

Medellín’s transformation a leading example at World Urban Forum

The 7th World Urban Forum (WUF7) held in Medellín during April 2014 was attended by a record 22,000 people. The city was selected as host since it successfully introduced and implemented an approach to reducing slum formation in the urban context by alleviating poverty, providing education and improving environmental sustainability.

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January 14, 2013 | Project Update | Medellín, Colombia

Securing public space

Project update May 2014 – Urban integration of an informal area, Medellín, Colombia

The Integral Urban Project (IUP) continues to be implemented at Comuna 13 in Medellín’s north-east. The recently-constructed system of escalators with public squares and balconies addresses serious problems regarding connectivity, security and coexistence. In addition, more than ten public buildings have been completed which provide infrastructure and important spaces for meeting and building social cohesion.

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October 23, 2008 | winners for Latin America announced | Mexico City, Mexico

Holcim Awards honor sustainable construction in Latin America

The winning projects of the second Holcim Awards competition for Sustainable Construction in Latin America were announced at a ceremony in Mexico City. Total prize money of USD 270,000 was presented to twelve projects from across the region that deliver innovative solutions to social housing, energy efficiency, and the revitalization of communities and water resources.

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July 10, 2008 | Regional Jury Report – Latin America | Mexico City, Mexico

“A ground-breaking approach to the reduction of slum formation” – Holcim Awards Jury

Holcim Awards ceremony for Latin America 2008 – Mexico City, Mexico

The unique strength of this project lies in its comprehensive and ground-breaking approach to the reduction of the worldwide problem of slum formation in the urban context through eradicating poverty, providing education and improving environmental sustainability. The already existing MetroCable connecting this huge squatter settlement with the formal city of Medellín was the catalyst of this project. The overall scope of the project includes the refurbishment and extension of the road network and the public utilities, the construction of numerous health, education, and sports facilities and also the implementation of social development programs.

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February 29, 2008 | Project Entry & Details | Medellín, Colombia

Project Entry 2008 for Latin America

Project entry 2008 Latin America – Urban integration of an informal area, Medellín, Colombia

Just a few years ago the city of Medellín was considered a center of violence and criminal activity. Now a fairytale transformation stands in its place. One of the catalysts for change is the project Urban integration of an informal area. Numerous measures and many stakeholders are involved in ensuring that the poorest receive only the best in infrastructure.

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pin Medellín, Colombia

Medellín, Colombia