http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2078994/Going-Colombian-shanty-town-installs-giant-outdoor-escalators-relief-residents-spared-trudge-steps-equivalent-climbing-28-storey-building.html http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2078994/Going-Colombian-shanty-town-installs-giant-outdoor-escalators-relief-residents-spared-trudge-steps-equivalent-climbing-28-storey-building.html Going up! Colombian shanty town installs giant outdoor escalators to relief of residents spared a trudge up steps (equivalent to climbing 28-storey building) Going up! Colombian shanty town installs giant outdoor escalators to relief of residents spared a trudge up steps (equivalent to climbing 28-storey building) Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2078994/Going-Colombian-shanty-town-installs-giant-outdoor-escalators-relief-residents-spared-trudge-steps-equivalent-climbing-28-storey-building.html#ixzz3AzAos19e Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook A huge outdoor escalator has been erected in one of the poorest districts of Colombia's second largest city. For generations 12,000 people living in Medellin's tough Comuna 13 - which clings to a hillside - have had to made the arduous journey up hundreds of large steps, which is the equivalent to climbing up a 28-storey building. But now a giant outdoor escalator will cut their journey from 35-minutes to just six, and grateful residents have said 'it is a dream come true'. Luis Holguin, accompanied by his daughter Resfa, finds it much easier to move around the district with the help of the escalator, which is free for people to use The escalator, which has now cut journey times from 35-minutes to six, is divided into six sections so people from all parts of the hillside can access it The escalator is 384 metres (1,260ft) long but is divided into six sections so people living on all parts of the hillside have easy access to it. ------------------------------- http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2381389/Medillins-giant-outdoor-escalator-installed-Pablo-Escobars-old-city.html No longer slumming it! Gigantic outdoor escalator installed in Pablo Escobar's old city reduces 35minute hike up hill to just 6mins for Colombia's poorest Enormous 384-metre long escalator in Medellin is finally complete It prevents residents from trudging up steps which are the equivalent of a 28-storey building City was once home to Pablo Escobar - the most renowned criminal of all time By Anthony Bond Published: 10:22 EST, 30 July 2013 | Updated: 03:43 EST, 31 July 2013 65 View comments As one of the world's most dangerous cities, life in Medellin can be pretty tough. But despite the bleak poverty and constant threat from criminal gangs, there is one ray of sunlight for the city's inhabitants. Based in one of the poorest districts of Colombia's second largest city, the enormous 384 metre (1,260ft) long escalator has made the lives of its residents a whole lot easier. Unique: This £4million 384-metre long escalator has been built on the hillside of Medellin in Columbia Unique: This £4million 384-metre long escalator has been built on the hillside of Medellin in Columbia Handy: This giant outdoor escalator has cut the journey time for people living in Medellin's tough Comuna 13 from 35 minutes to just six Handy: This giant outdoor escalator has cut the journey time for people living in Medellin's tough Comuna 13 from 35 minutes to just six For generations 12,000 people living in Medellin's tough Comuna 13 - which clings to a hillside - have had to made the arduous journey up hundreds of large steps, the equivalent to climbing up a 28-storey building. But now this giant outdoor escalator has cut their journey from 35-minutes to just six. More... America's first climate change refugees: Hundreds forced to flee their Alaskan village before it disappears underwater within a decade Revealed: How Banksy saved a man evicted from his LA water tank home after the street artist painted on it and prompted owners to sell it on as a work of art The escalator was completed in 2011 but it was only recently that a cover was put over it - meaning that, no matter what the weather, the city's residents are completely covered. The escalator is divided into six sections so people living on all parts of the hillside have easy access to it. Accessible: The escalator is divided into six sections so people living on all parts of the hillside have easy access to it Accessible: The escalator is divided into six sections so people living on all parts of the hillside have easy access to it Modern: The escalator cost more than £4million to construct and looks out of place among the dilapidated shantytown homes Modern: The brightly-coloured escalator looks out of place among the dilapidated shantytown homes It cost just over £4million to construct and looks out of place among the dilapidated shantytown homes but is one of several projects taking place in the city. It is believed the outdoor escalator is the first of its kind in the world. Resident Olga Holguin, was one of the first people to take a ride up the escalator when it was constructed. She said: 'It's wonderful, it's a dream come true.' Helpful: It is hoped regeneration projects like this escalator will help reduce crime levels Helpful: It is hoped regeneration projects like this escalator will help reduce crime levels Run down: The escalator is based in one of the poorest districts in Columbia's second largest city Run down: The escalator is based in one of the poorest districts in Columbia's second largest city Notorious: Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar and his wife Victoria Henao are pictured. Medellin gained its fierce reputation through his criminal activities Notorious: Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar and his wife Victoria Henao are pictured. Medellin gained its fierce reputation through his criminal activities Comuna 13 has been plagued by urban violence over the years but it is hoped regeneration projects like this will help. Medellin earned its unfortunate reputation as one of the world's most dangerous cities thanks to Pablo Escobar, the most renowned criminal of all time. The city was the fortress of the cocaine king. The new escalator is a symbol of defiance in the city which two decades ago was the most dangerous and murderous city on the planet. Every day, several car bombs could explode as Escobar's cartel went to war with the state. Happy: The escalator is free for people to use, with some saying its like a 'dream come true' Happy: The escalator is free for people to use, with some saying its like a 'dream come true' Security: This policeman is pictured at the top of the escalator with a gun, a sign of the risks many face in the shanty town Security: This policeman is pictured at the top of the escalator with a gun, a sign of the risks many face in the shanty town Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2381389/Medillins-giant-outdoor-escalator-installed-Pablo-Escobars-old-city.html#ixzz3B2GGyHN3 Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook It cost just over £4million to construct and looks out of place among the dilapidated shantytown homes but is one of several projects taking place in the city. Mayor Alonso Salazar said the authorities were pleased with the final result and added that he believed the outdoor escalator it was the first of its kind in the world. People living in the town have had to trek up hundreds of steps which is the equivalent to a 28-storey building but can now use an escalator instead A general view of the escalators at Comuna 13 in Medellin. The project has proved so popular officials from Brazil will visit to see if they could be useful there The modern-looking escalators, which cost just over £4million, look out of place among the dilapidated shantytown homes He also said officials from Rio de Janeiro plan to visit to see if a similar project would be suitable for the city's favelas, which also cling precariously to hillsides. Resident Olga Holguin, who husband Luis (pictured top) is on crutches, said she was one of the first people to take a ride up the escalator, which is free for people to use. 'It's wonderful, it's a dream come true,' she said. Authorities said they now plan to build a cover which would shield people against inclement weather. Comuna 13 has been plagued by urban violence over the years but latest records show crime is on the decline and it is hoped regeneration projects will further help. Mr Salazar added: 'We hope this social package will help it move forward.' People make use of the outdoor escalators while workmen carry out the finishing touches. Covers will now be built to shield users from inclement weather Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2078994/Going-Colombian-shanty-town-installs-giant-outdoor-escalators-relief-residents-spared-trudge-steps-equivalent-climbing-28-storey-building.html#ixzz3AzB5xoNQ Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook -------------------------- http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-16343069 Video -------------- http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/giant-outdoor-escalator-1260-feet-187967 Giant outdoor escalator 1,260 feet long built to help Columbia hillside shantytown http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/giant-outdoor-escalator-1260-feet-187967#ixzz3B2HNsBJR Follow us: @DailyMirror on Twitter | DailyMirror on Facebook Dec 27, 2011 08:47 By Mirror.co.uk A giant outdoor escalator measuring 1,260 feet long and costing more than £4 million has been built in one of Colombia's poorest neighbourhoods. •7 Shares • Share • Tweet • +1 • Email A giant outdoor escalator measuring 1,260 feet long and costing more than £4 million has been built in one of Colombia's poorest neighbourhoods. For generations, the 12,000 residents of Medellin's tough Comuna 13, which clings to the side of a steep hillside, have had to climb hundreds of large steps - the equilavent of walking up a 28-story building - but now they can ride an escalator. Luis Hernesto Holguin and Resfa Holguin use outdoor escalators, newly installed at Comuna 13 shantytown Luis Hernesto Holguin and Resfa Holguin use outdoor escalators, newly installed at Comuna 13 shantytown Mayor Alonso Salazar said: "It turned out very well." Mr Salazar said officials from Rio de Janeiro plan to visit Medellin to see if such an escalator would work in that city's favelas, which also cling precariously to hillsides. Comuna 13 residents came out to celebrate and study the 6.7 million US dollar escalator which officials say will shorten the 35-minute hike on foot up the hillside to six minutes. Use of the escalator is free. "This is a dream come true," housewife Olga Holguin told RCN television. Cesar Hernandez, head of projects for Medellin, said the electric stairway is divided into six sections and has a length of 384 metres (1,260 feet). An escalator goes up and a second goes down. Authorities plan to build a covering for inclement weather. Mr Salazar described Comuna 13 as the city's district that has "suffered the greatest urban violence... but lately this has been receding and we hope this social package will help it move forward". http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/giant-outdoor-escalator-1260-feet-187967#ixzz3B2HTLA5h Follow us: @DailyMirror on Twitter | DailyMirror on Facebook --------------------- http://news.yahoo.com/colombian-city-gets-giant-outdoor-escalator-003300654.html Colombian city gets giant, outdoor escalator . Associated Press December 26, 2011 7:35 PM . . .. . Luis Hernesto Holguin, left, and his sister Resfa Holguin use outdoor escalators, newly installed at Comuna 13 shantytown as part of an urbanization plan to improve living conditions of residents, in Medellin, Colombia, Dec. 26, 2011. (AP Photo/Luis Benavides) . View gallery Luis Hernesto Holguin, left, and his sister Resfa Holguin use outdoor escalators, newly installed at Comuna 13 shantytown as part of an urbanization plan to improve living conditions of residents, in Medellin, Colombia, Dec. 26, 2011. (AP Photo/Luis Benavides) . BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Officials in Colombia's second-largest city on Monday inaugurated a giant, outdoor escalator for residents of one of its poorest neighborhoods. For generations, the 12,000 residents of Medellin's tough Comuna 13, which clings to the side of a steep hillside, have had to climb hundreds of large steps authorities say is the same as going up a 28-story building. Now they can ride an escalator Medellin's mayor says is the first massive, outdoor public escalator for use by residents of a poor area. "It turned out very well," said Mayor Alonso Salazar, adding that he has not heard of any such project elsewhere in this world. Salazar said officials from Rio de Janeiro plan to visit Medellin to see if such an escalator would work in that city's favelas, which also cling precariously to hillsides. Comuna 13 residents came out to celebrate and study the $6.7 million escalator which officials say will shorten the 35-minute hike on foot up the hillside to six minutes. Use of the escalator is free. "This is a dream come true," homemaker Olga Holguin told RCN television. Cesar Hernandez, head of projects for Medellin, said the electric stairway is divided into six sections and has a length of 384 meters (1,260 feet). An escalator goes up and a second goes down. Authorities plan to build a covering for inclement whether. Salazar described Comuna 13 as the city's district that has "suffered the greatest urban violence... but lately this has been receding and we hope this social package will help it move forward." ------------------------ http://photoblog.nbcnews.com/_news/2011/12/26/9725524-escalators-to-improve-transportation-in-colombian-shantytown Escalators to improve transportation in Colombian shantytown Monday Dec 26, 2011 5:53 PM Email Raul Arboleda / AFP - Getty Images A girl goes up the escalators in the Comuna 13 neighborhood in Medellin, Colombia on Dec. 26, the day of their inauguration. The escalators are the first of their kind to be installed in a shantytown with high rates of urban violence. It is a system that will transform the mobility of the inhabitants of this district, replacing more than 350 concrete stairways. The escalators are composed of six sections and will benefit 12 thousand users. According to AP: Mayor Alonso Salazar said officials from Rio de Janeiro plan to visit Medellin to see if such an escalator would work in that city's favelas, which also cling precariously to hillsides. Comuna 13 residents came out to celebrate and study the $6.7 million escalator which officials say will shorten the 35-minute hike on foot up the hillside to six minutes. Use of the escalator is free. Read the full story. Raul Arboleda / AFP - Getty Images Luis Holguin (L) takes the escalators with his crutch and his daughter Resfa Holguin, at Comuna 13 neighborhood in Medellin, Colombia on Dec. 26. Raul Arboleda / AFP - Getty Images A woman looks at the escalators in the Comuna 13 neighborhood in Medellin, Colombia on Dec. 26. Raul Arboleda / AFP - Getty Images Children play as they take the escalators in the Comuna 13 neighborhood. EPA General view of the new escalators located in the middle of an outdoor urban zone in Medellin, Colombia, on Dec. 26. The service is free with the objective of improving the people´s mobility in the sector. Residents of Medellin, Colombia are celebrating the new escalators that will shorten the 35-minute hike up the hillside to six minutes. ------------------------------- http://knowledge.allianz.com/mobility/infrastructure/?1725/giant-escalator-lifts-colombian-shanty-town December 29, 2011 Divided into six sections that snake their way up the steep hillside that is home to 12,000 of the poorest people in the city, Comuna 13’s mega escalator was opened on December 26 by Medellin mayor Alonso Salazar. “This should be a symbol of city transformation and peace for Comuna 13,” he said at the opening ceremony. He added that it was the first such escalator in the world built for a poor area and that officials from Brazilian city Rio de Janeiro planned to visit in order to see if they could construct similar escalators in their own slum areas, known as favelas. The escalator will be blessed relief to the residents used to trudging up the equivalent of 28 stories loaded down with the week’s shopping. Now the journey takes a mere six minutes and they can rest their aching limbs on the way. And in bad weather it will provide some shelter as the city plans to add a covering.