Empresa de Desarrollo Urbano - EDU (Urban Development Company of Medellín)
The Pitch
The Urban Development Company of Medellín (EDU) organized the creation of a viaduct and escalator system that connects the previously isolated Commune 13 to wider Medellín.
The Problem
Commune 13, a hillside neighborhood outside of Medellín, was connected to the city through steep stairs that were dilapidated and inaccessible to many residents. Informal development and overcrowding restricted city access and isolated the neighborhood.
The Process
- Designed and built a viaduct connected to a series of escalators that provide Commune 13 with easier access to the city of Medellín; The viaduct is used as a pedestrian path and contains galleries, murals, seating, a theater and small public spaces
- Encouraged participatory planning during the process through their Design Workshop, asking for community feedback and adapting the design based on concerns
- Required contractors to hire most of the labor force from the local community and have a high percentage of female employment
The Impact
- Provides an accessible and quick way for residents of all abilities to reach the city: People can now easily travel into the city for work, groceries, medical care and more
- Improved housing access by increasing mobility up and down the hillside
- Transformed Commune 13’s social fabric and identity by creating new public spaces for art (including murals, graffiti, music and dance), sports, socializing and connecting with neighbors
- Increased profits and growth for local business owners by improving interconnectivity and increasing tourism
- Provided local employment opportunities and increased community commitment to the project: 60% of workers hired were people from the community
- Inspired several similar programs in the Álvaro Obregón section of Mexico City and the state of Querétaro, Mexico
