The column published in *Las2Orillas* reflects on the urban development of Barranquilla and the impact of the projects that have transformed the city in recent years.
The author argues that, although streets and spaces have been filled with monuments and striking structures, many of them bear no relation to the city's historical memory or cultural identity.
One example is the "Window to the World," inaugurated in 2018 as a grand visual icon at the city's entrance. Despite its grandeur and color, the work has been criticized for lacking clear references to Barranquilla's traditions and cultural heritage.
Another cited example is the "Shark Fin," a monumental sculpture linked to the Junior de Barranquilla soccer team. Although it has generated an identity around the sports fan base, critics point out that its location and magnitude reflect more a media stunt than an urban development plan integrated with local history.
The column also warns that the accumulation of such works—large-scale structures conceived as isolated landmarks—produces a sense of urban fragmentation. According to the author, rather than strengthening Barranquilla's identity, they reinforce the idea of a rootless "set."
Finally, we are invited to reflect on the need for public and private interventions in urban spaces not to be limited to the aesthetic or functional, but to integrate memory, history, and culture as central axes of planning and design.
Original source: (https://www.las2orillas.co/__trashed-328/)