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Medellín made urban escalators famous, but have they had any impact?

The escalators in Medellín's Comuna 13 have become a tourist attraction for international urbanists. Locals seem glad to have the visitors (Christopher Swope/Citiscope)

A security team of 15 young men and women from the neighborhood patrol the escalators. They wear red jackets and know everybody. (Letty Reimerink)

Community leader Adriana Maria Restrepo (right) with her daughter Stefania. “Come back in five years,” Adriana says, “and this neighborhood will have changed from a good neighborhood into a great one!” (Letty Reimerink)

Especially for the elderly and disabled, such as this man with one leg, the escalators have provided a big quality-of-life boost. (Letty Reimerink)

A security team of 15 young men and women from the neighborhood patrol the escalators. They wear red jackets and know everybody. (Letty Reimerink)

A security team of 15 young men and women from the neighborhood patrol the escalators. They wear red jackets and know everybody. (Letty Reimerink)