This document portrays the process of material and cultural transformation of Bogota (Colombia) during the first three decades of 20th century from three points of view. First, the urban modifications: public services, development of elites and poor neighborhoods. The categories Civilization versus Tradition are used to establish the central contradiction. Second, the development of public administration of de city and how is understood the modernization of the Bogota by that public administration. Third, how the urban people started to feel the new experiences about the urban life from the configurations of new public scenarios such as parks, squares, cinemas, etc. Finally, this document offers some conclusions centered in the tensions between tradition and modernity with the purpose to depict the circumstances how the people in Bogota started to feel the transition from the dynamic of a small town life to the city life.