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Latin America and the Caribbean are home to the world’s greatest natural treasure. Home to 60% of terrestrial life and the most biodiverse ecosystems ranging from wetlands to coasts, deserts, tropical forests, glaciers or high Andean habitats. Although most of its extent is rural, eight out of ten Latin Americans live in cities, and in a few decades cities have become the destination (or the only option) for many. Her growth is undeniable. But how to respond to the needs of the population without harming the planet? Biodiversity – a concept that promotes the conservation of biodiversity as a central part of planning, land use planning and socio-economic development of cities – shows the need and necessity to consider sustainable development as the only possible way to combat climate change.
“You cannot think of both elements [ciudades y biodiversidad] separately. Conservation of nature offers ecosystem services that can be harnessed as long as it is thought of holistically,” says Emil Rodríguez, urban development coordinator at CAF-Development Bank of Latin America. Your organization has promoted the network of biodiversity with the aim of integrating both worlds. The aim is to transform cities into spaces that coexist harmoniously with nature; Think clean transportation systems, resilient infrastructure, or a larger number of urban parks or gardens in the heart of the metropolis.
The network, which aims to create new positive links between rural and urban areas and prioritize circular economy scenarios, has already been joined by 63 mayoral offices in 11 countries in the region. From Ushuaia (Argentina) to Timbiquí (Colombia) or Niterói (Brazil), the challenges are the same, albeit with nuances and using the riches of each territory as raw material: reducing the ravages of global warming. An example would be to further explore productive sectors such as tourism in coastal areas, but without neglecting the protection of beaches with respectful and long-term regulations.
A view of Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world Threegen (Getty Images)
“It’s not that the path of conservation is detrimental to progress,” adds Ángel Cárdenas, manager of urban development, water and creative industries at CAF. “It is the opposite. We need to rethink how we approach the area.” And the cities are key. “The consequences of global warming are increasing in these areas; Migration pressures, floods… These must be at the heart of the climate debate”.
And that’s part of the global agenda, not just in this region. The world’s cities occupy 3% of the land area, but are responsible for between 60% and 80% of energy consumption and 75% of CO2 emissions. For this reason, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 is linked to making it more inclusive, safer, more resilient and greener.
View of Rio de Janeiro across Guanabara Bay from Piratininga Beach in Niteroi Marcos Felipe TD (Getty Images)
Barranquilla is a good example of this revolution that aspires to the biodiversity network. The Colombian coastal city’s first major initiative was the restoration of the Mallorquín swamp in the Magdalena estuary. This lagoon is separated from the Caribbean Sea by a narrow beach and from the mouth of the river by a causeway built to allow cargo ships to enter the port.
For decades, pollution has decimated the swamp’s ability to capture carbon emissions and provide food for local communities. Despite several missteps, it conserves four mangrove species — including the endangered red mangrove — 81 bird species, 15 marine invertebrates, nine fish species, nine amphibians and seven reptile species. The new project includes rehabilitation works on the Magdalena River as well as hiking trails and infrastructure for sustainable tourism activities such as bird watching. “The interesting thing is that Barranquilla has integrated this vision of the urban approach and is articulated with the national government,” says Cárdenas. This project attempts to replicate this model in which local ideas are nurtured, scaled and accompanied throughout their process.
Other examples of good practice include the river reclamation in Lima, Peru, the conservation of lagoons in Niteroi, Brazil, the care of the drylands of southern Ecuador, the initiatives of Las Palmas (El Salvador) to coordinate with other communities to protect a large Biosphere Reserve, attempts to reclaim public spaces in Ushuaia (Argentina). “Biodiversity, strategically placed within orderly and comprehensive planning, can be an element of societal transformation,” adds Cárdenas.
Isla Salamenca Park in Barranquilla (Colombia) is considered the “world’s largest bird airport”.Hugo Penso (EFE)
Make the city come alive
So that citizens can benefit from the green transition in their cities, experts encourage them to participate in the change through participatory budgeting and citizens’ initiatives. “It is very important that there is awareness among citizens and an alliance between us and local institutions to prioritize certain projects,” explains Rodríguez.
Barcelona continues to be one of the urban references worldwide. And that for less than thirty years. The areas dedicated to pedestrians, the increase in green spaces and the neighborhood-oriented planning were achieved through citizen participation.