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Armenia Reborn: The 1999 Earthquake and Urban Renewal

Armenia was devastated by a 6.2-magnitude earthquake on 25 January 1999 — 2,000 people died; the city's reconstruction over the following decade created a modern, bold urban centre that is a story of Colombian resilience and creative urban design

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January 25, 1999 Earthquake
The earthquake in Armenia (magnitude 6.2) killed 2,000 people and destroyed 70% of the city's buildings in 20 seconds; the disaster was Colombia's worst natural disaster of the 20th century and one of the most destructive urban earthquakes in the Americas
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Reconstruction after the earthquake
The reconstruction of Armenia – funded by international aid and the Colombian government – was completed in 2006; the new buildings, designed with earthquake-resistant techniques, created a different city from the colonial-style one that was destroyed
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Modern Paseo Bolívar
The one on Paseo Bolívar — Armenia's central pedestrian zone — is one of Colombia's most successful urban renewal projects; the bold contemporary design, public art installations and commercial vitality of the space represent post-earthquake Armenia at its best
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Urban Art Movement
Armenia's post-earthquake reconstruction included a major public art program—the murals, sculptures, and installations throughout the new city express the community's determination to create beauty from disaster; the urban art tradition continues
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Earthquake Memorial
The Earthquake Memorial - the preserved ruins of a neighborhood, left exactly as found after the earthquake - is Armenia's most poignant monument; the collapsed walls, the exposed interiors and the silence create an intense powerful historical experience
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Reconstruction as a case study
Armenia's earthquake reconstruction has been studied internationally as a model - the speed, architectural quality and community participation in the reconstruction process are cited in disaster recovery planning; the city is now more earthquake resistant than almost any other Colombian city