The residents of Comuna 13, one of Medellin, Colombia’s poorer neighborhoods, just got a big help up. The neighborhood is on a steep hill. It takes over half an hour to walk to the top. Now they have the world’s longest outdoor escalator.
Movin' on Up
The escalator only cost a bit over 5 million euros to build, and it will cut the trip down to six minutes. It will make it easier for residents to get to work, to school or to get home much easier after a night out on the town.
It is being lauded by most people as a bright example of good governance, a bright idea which was implemented at low cost and will improve the lives of a large number of people tremendously. It is being condemned by the shills of the 1% as government waste, a showcase program which doesn’t really address the real issues.
I think it is something even more. Not only will this ease the aching feet of hard working people, but the views will be tremendous.
Now, I’ve never been to Medellin, but just looking at a map I can be pretty sure that it is an attractive place. Mountainous and green is a pretty good combination. But in any event, the view as you are coming down a long hill is always interesting. At the top, you look out and get a broad view of the city, as you plant your feet and prepare to enjoy the ride. You get a sense of power, a sense of being above it all. You get a sense of your city’s place in the world, and of your place in the city. It is humbling and ennobling, all at once.
A bit further down, you start to notice individual landmarks and think, ah, I remember that afternoon in the club over there. You have time to reflect on your life. You also may notice the patterns of the streets, like lines on a real sized map, and plan an alternate route for the day.
As you reach the bottom, you get into the thick of things, visually, before you step off and into the melee of every day life, invigorated and ready for the fray.
It’s not just a good anti-poverty program for one neighborhood. It’s a beautiful idea that could make the world a more pleasing place. At least, those parts of the world which have hills.
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