Benjamin Himschoot

Reconectando El Río Tunjuelo: Reconnecting the River Tunjuelo: Strategies for Developing Green and Blue Infrastructure in Bogotá, Colombia Benjamin Himschoot

Rapid urbanization in South America has caused major changes in both human and natural systems over the past century. As humanity continues to build larger cities, many natural systems have suffered serious damage from a variety of sources. This book examines these changes in Bogotá, Colombia, which is now home to over 8 million inhabitants. Focused on the River Tunjuelo watershed in the south part of the city, this work examines the causes and policies that have caused its degradation across three different scales, ranging from regional impacts to district and even neighborhood-level issues. Strategies for implementing green and blue infrastructure along the river and surrounding neighborhoods are explored, including expansion of the existing network of public green spaces while improving surface water quality. The dynamic backdrop of Bogotá provides a unique opportunity to study this common issue facing many of the world's growing cities.