CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2024
| Author | Gomez Oviedo, Catalina |
|---|---|
| Title | Water, nature and people: Addressing urban water issues through Nature-based Solutions in Cartagena, Colombia |
| Summary | Cities around the world are facing new challenges because urban population growth and climate change are intensifying, creating pressure for water and other urban resources, and posing significant challenges to urban management. NBS offer an approach that focuses on enhancing natural processes to provide environmental, social, and economic benefits, at the same time. This thesis investigates the application of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) to address urban water issues in Cartagena, Colombia, and covers strategic ecosystems such as La Ciénaga de la Virgen, the Juan Angola River, and the Bay of Cartagena. Through interviews with local stakeholders and literature analysis, the study assesses the effectiveness of NBS interventions in enhancing urban resilience and water management. The results indicate that while NBS projects in Cartagena have the potential to improve the city, their success is still hindered by limited monitoring, a lack of long-term planning, and a lack of political continuity. Additionally, projects are constrained by socio-political dynamics and conditions commonly found in developing countries. Despite these challenges, collaborative efforts between public institutions, local communities, and different sectors provide a promising foundation for improving NBS implementation in the present and the future. The study concludes that in order for NBS to achieve its full potential in Cartagena, there needs to be a more structured approach to data collection, increased stakeholder engagement, and stronger alignment with urban policies. Future research should focus on broadening stakeholder involvement and enhancing understanding of NBS impacts through comprehensive monitoring and evaluation. |
| Supervisor | Pintér László |
| Department | Environment Sciences and Policy MSc |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2024/gomez_catalina.pdf |
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