Bogota XXI Century
Transcript of 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!!