I don't know where this is, but I'm guessing that it's Canada goldenrod, Solidago canadensis.

If it is Canada Goldenrod its native to the northern part of Eastern North America, but it can grow into huge populations that make it appear invasive. Like you mentioned jt likes colonizing disturbed areas, and open ground. It lines a lot of roads and highways around here. It probably got a foothold early on in those places, and with it's aggressive, rhyzomatous spreading it became dominant. Like the invasive teasle, crownvetch and Conium around here, the Canada goldenrod will seize vast areas when there are no prairie grasses and perennials to stand in it's way. I don't find it attractive, maybe because it's more of a weed in these parts, but I'm growing other nicer goldenrods, and they are all great pollinator plants for autumn when nothing else is blooming. The past couple years I've started allowing a couple/few CG to flower and then I pull them out afterward. There will always be more to replace them next year.

If that's goldenrod, then it represents limited success. The leaves just don't look like the ones in parks from which I harvested seeds last fall. My intent was to seed my backyard to turn it into a pollinator-friendly area and I read that goldenrod is host to a wide diversity of pollinators. Unfortunately it didn't take to the area where I actually wanted it. There is something about the soil there that stunts growth. It got messed up by the builders during construction of our house.

A closer picture of the leaves would help. Can't see any details in this photo.

Yes, a much closer shot would help. As would a location.

i don’t know where you are, but here in central NH it would be Erigeron canadensis. it is a native and so feeds native pollinators, but it seeds prolifically. i leave it in wild areas, but pull it from the lawn, gravel drive, and garden beds.

By popular demand, here's a closeup. I'm growing my backyard for wildlife, not for looks, so more goldenrod is better.

Well, that particular one looks like Hesperis matronalis.

All the Hesperis around here are finished blooming. It must be further north.Unfortunately Dame's Rocket seeds are still included in many wildflower/pollinator mixes.

It isn’t Erigeron canadensis aka horseweed which has fuzzy leaves and stems. Your leaves are smooth.

Actually, it looks closer to horseweed than any of the other pictures I've found. For what it's worth, here's a picture of an odd stem that's all wrinkled up. It's the only instance of such a thing in that whole stand.

No, not Horseweed.

could it be some Oenothera,

just before flowering?

Latest pix could well be Oenothera.