bogota xxi century

7/31/2019 Bogota XXI Century

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THE CITY OF THE

NEW CENTURY

he city we know today is not the same

city that a tourist found in the 90s. The

population had risen from 4 million to

almost 7 million in 2005. The streets, the

parks and the buildings were not the same

either. And the change was not only physical, but also, more than

anything else, one of attitude or mentality. Far as long that they could

remember, the people of Bogot had completely lost their sense of

belonging, but now we began to feel that Bogot was home. How

could it be possible?

Five main factors have marked the process: attitude, public space,

transport, social investment and education.

Antanas Mokus, a mathematician originally from Lithuania, began a

process which opened the

door to a more difficult

prcess: the inculcation of the

basic principles of civic

culture among us. Then,

people began to talk about


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the culture and legality, and of the basic rules of peaceful and

coexistence. The people of Bogot also began to applying social

sanctions to those who committed traffic offences. More than 100.000

people made a voluntary contribution of 10% additional property tax to

the city government.

Enrique Pealosa, the next Mayor, began to

work in the concept that the public space is the

only space in which all citizens are in conditions

of equality, the city began to recover the parks,

the pedestrian walkways, the wetlands and

began to build tracks for bicycles.

Another serious problem was the

transport. In Bogot as all over

Colombia, you walked out on your

front door and put out your hand

and a taxi, a bus or a minibus will

stop for you right there. After

several proposals, the Bogot

system of transport, named

Transmilenio (TM), began to be built

about 2000. Today, the people of

Bogot who travel on the red


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Transmilenio buses find that their traveling time is cut down by 40 or

even 60%.

Another interesting innovation has

been the creation of schools by

concessions. Childrend began to

have acces to first-class

installations, which the most

exclusive private school might envy,

and which offered the added value

of the educational experience of universities and schools with very

reputable track-records.

Another source of pride

is the new library

system. There are three

major libraries (Virgilio

Barco, Tunal and

Tintal), six second-level libraries and 10 district libraries. Almost 5

million people use these libraries every year.

The re-birth of

Bogot has brought

specials zones for

special services: Zone

G, in Chapinero, with


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a lot of international-quality restaurants; Zone U, in Usaqun, also a

center of food and nightlife; Zone T, two pedestrian streets next to

each other in Centro Andino, with restaurants and bars, the park of 93,

with more good restaurants, bars and some discos; and Calle 72

(Avenida Chile) and World Trade Center, the financial heart of the

country.

If you come to Bogot, besides the commercial centers and malls (the

best of the country) you have to visit:

alacio de Nario:

This is the home of

the President of

Colombia.

Originally on this

site was Antonio

Nario birthplace,

giving way to a

mansion of the XIX

century used as the presidential house. After a spell at the Palacio de

San Carlos, the presidential home was returned to the Palacio de

Nario at the end of the 70s. Many architects have intervened in the

ongoing remodeling of the building.


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uinta de Bolvar: Is a typical

savannah house located in the

heart of Bogot. Simn Bolvar

lived there after president

Santander purchased it and gave

to him in recognition for his

services in the independence war.

Inside the house are displayed clothing, weapons, documents, and

diverse objects which belonged to this great freedom fighter from

Caracas. Next door to the Quinta de Bolvar is the Sociedad

Bolivariana, founded in 1924. This house is used as the meeting place

for academics who study historical events pertaining to Bolvar.

laza de Bolvar:this place continues being the social, administrative,

and religious heart of the city. On each side of the plaza, curiously, lies

a display of the

power-that-be. On

the eastern side is

the religious

power with its

Primate Cathedral,

the Archbishops

residence, the

Chapel of the


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Sacristy, and the office of the Curiate. On the western side of the plaza

is the Edificio Livano, the currently Mayors office. The new Palacio de

Justicia lines Plaza de Bolvar northern side. The Corte suprema de

Justicia, Consejo de Estado and the Consejo Superior de la Judicatura

all have their headquarters here. Finally, the Capitolio Nacional is in the

southern side of the plaza.

onserrate:above, at 521 meters over the city and 3.160 meters

above sea level, the peak an monastery of Monserrate. There we can

see pilgrims and tourist. Dont forget to buy some crafts and souvenirs.

The cable car as well as the cars take the tourists up and back.

ational Museum:this fortress of a building, designed in form of a

cross started off as a prison in 1874, serving The Department of


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Cundinamarca. Since

1948 it has been the

National Museum.

There are 18 exhibition

rooms, 17 permanent

exhibitions and one for

short-term ones. There

are some 20.000

objects from

prehistoric into our age, with examples of the art of the ages and the

ethnic movements in recent centuries.

alle 72 (Avenida Chile):

In the 86 years since it was first

opened, Avenida Chile has been

trough three different stages:

First, marked the northern frontier

of the city; then, it was lined by

mansions in English Style and

now today it has become a

financial, educational and

commerce center. The church of

La Porcincula is a symbol of the

avenue.


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These are a few reasons to live here in Bogot.

The reasons to visit us come and see, because

Bogot is a city for all people around the world!!

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bogota xxi century

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