Skyscrapers and Other Dreamworlds

Utopia, paradise, elite, all words used synonymously when speaking of not only urban finances, but also infrastructure and design. All over the world an idea of a perfect city exists, attempts to “clean up the area” and “enrich community life” is a sort of white sheet pulled over the knife that is soon to be plunged into the working poor back. While only accepting those of the middle class who can afford to fake a smile as they are now the ones struggling to make ends meet. Cities throughout the globe have envisioned a dreamscape of lavish buildings, clean and cut neighborhoods where people, and corporations mesh in harmony. Gated communities in which homes detach themselves from any cultural roots to follow the look of North Hollywood and Beverly Hills mansions can be seen in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Villas with some semblance of traditional Thai style were erected amongst gated communities in Bangkok. In the chapter by Marina Forti, Iran the city of Arg-e Jadid which translates as Instant Citadel (pg. 35) is a stretch of 5,000 acres of homes surrounded by armed guards to protect those fortunate enough to have bought their way inside the compound. In Tijuana homes are erected and modeled after the suburbs but still lake some infrastructure we would consider necessary for civil living. The conversion of urban land to glorious expensive estates is not unique to any one part of the world but rather a sign that these cities are slowly being assimilated into a global network of urbanism.

Bogota, Colombia is no stranger to this seclusion of the rich and benign neglect of the poor. The most expensive areas to live in Bogota include Zona T, El Nogal, and Rosales. These three areas are home to brick patterned high rises, rooftop pools, and some of the cities nicer bars and clubs. One very popular shopping center is the Atlantis Plaza. The very name of this mall oozes exclusivity due to its reference of the supposed lost city of Atlantis. Dozens and dozens of people have searched for this thought-to-be sophisticated society that was washed away by the rising ocean levels. Most business, apartment complexes pay for armed guards to stand outside and keep any undesirables out. El Nogal while renovated to attract a more wealthy audience has not escaped the terrors that have plagued Colombia since the 70’s. In 2003 a car bomb detonated outside of the extremely exclusive Club El Nogal killing 36 people and injuring 168 according to La Semana, a popular Colombian news source. These armed guards paid to patrol the towns a lot of times are those in the community police force. In a scholarly article titled Community police in Colombia: An Idle Process by J.C. Ruiz Vasquez he states that they are used for large shows and sporting events who in a sense are not yet police officers to keep the peace (pg. 51).

While luxury areas in Bogota strive to be more than the tarnished violence and murder fueled idea the world has of Colombia, their renovated buildings with outdated facilities like plumbing, air conditioning, and electricity show that even with trillions of dollars being invested into homes and office spaces, a developing country still takes time to develop. The urbanization of Colombia started a little more than 20 years ago, and while much to the world's surprise it has overcome a lot like astronomically high levels of inflation it still has work to do and to do so, sacrifices must be made.