Circular Country || Neither obstacle nor decoration: wetlands as an urban solution

Urban wetlands are essential for the sustainability of the planet and, therefore, of our cities. They function as natural sponges that regulate water, reduce flooding, capture carbon, and moderate temperatures. They also provide landscape value and strengthen the connection between communities and their environment. But despite being so important for the well-being of people and various species, they currently face serious risks. According to the Ramsar Convention, 35% of these ecosystems have disappeared globally since 1970, largely due to unplanned urban expansion.

In Chile, although there is no exact national figure, significant losses have been observed in various regions. For example, in Greater Concepción, urbanization has caused the loss of 40% of the Rocuant-Andalién wetland since 1975. In the case of cities, this loss not only affects the biodiversity present in fragile ecosystems like these, but is, above all, a lost opportunity for urban planning that allows for harmonious and sustainable development in the face of the effects of climate change.

The recent case of the Puente Negro Wetland in Lampa reflects the challenge of incorporating conservation into urban development. The ruling by the Second Environmental Court highlights the need to consider the environmental value of the land from the outset of any project, as similar situations occur in other cities where the loss of wetlands directly affects the well-being of their residents.

Overcoming the false dichotomy between conservation and development is urgent, because incorporating ecological criteria into planning doesn’t hinder growth; it makes it sustainable. The housing shortage demands structural solutions, but not at the expense of ecosystems that sustain urban habitability. Furthermore, conserving these spaces opens up opportunities in areas such as tourism, environmental education, and public health, generating economic and social benefits that strengthen communities.

At the Cosmos Foundation, we are working to generate positive experiences in this area and we call for reflection on these types of situations, to become aware of what well-preserved ecosystems (including in the city) provide us, and thus, to generate public policies, regulations, and actions that promote the territorial well-being of our communities.

Read the article in Pais Circular here.