Under a bridge at the intersection of Calle 170 and Carrera 15, in Bogotá’s Usaquén district, a homeless man had quietly built what amounted to a makeshift home. Over time, he filled the space with mattresses, furniture, clothing, kitchen utensils, and other belongings, turning a stretch of public infrastructure into a semi-permanent shelter.
The site had become a source of concern for neighbors and passersby. According to Bogotá’s District Security Secretariat, residents had reported problems tied to the encampment, including thefts, drug sales, and drug use in the area, along with a steady buildup of trash and debris.
City crews recently moved in to clear the site, dismantling four improvised structures that had been erected there and removing roughly six tons (about 13,200 pounds) of accumulated waste. The operation reflects a broader effort by Bogotá officials to address informal encampments that spring up in public spaces across the city, often in response to gaps in services for people experiencing homelessness.
Cases like this one highlight the tension city governments face between public safety and sanitation concerns on one hand, and the humanitarian challenge of homelessness on the other. For the full story and photos of the site before it was cleared, check out the original report from El Tiempo.
Source: Así era el 'apartamento' que un habitante de calle armó bajo un puente de Bogotá: tenía colchones y muebles (eltiempo.com). English version produced with AI assistance.
Image: Neon Tommy, BY-SA 2.0 (via Openverse).