The urbanization process in the world is clear and if we do not take immediate action and expand our knowledge, as well as our collaboration networks, the challenges of tomorrow will be even greater and complex.
Water is suffering not only from the accelerated processes of material and territorial consumption of the population, it suffers from forgetfulness and disconnection with human beings.
Floods, shortages, droughts, disasters and other phenomena are putting the human capacity to care for the species with whom we share the territory to the test;
the natural ecosystem is demanding actions to achieve survival beyond humanity.
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The accelerated process of urbanization in the world has made the hydrological-social cycle of water more complex. The theorist and geographer David Harvey makes a strong question about the city we want, since it cannot be detached from social ties, relationships with nature, lifestyles, technologies and the aesthetic values that we desire.
Although the general panorama is quite bleak and alarming, different sectors of society, such as non-governmental organizations, academia, local governments, private initiative and citizens share the reflection that questions individual and collective daily practices, since it has become urgent to think and create city from other parameters to the traditional ones. It seeks to reverse and transform bad practices regarding the interaction of bodies of water and cities. It is stated that new city models are not only possible but necessary. Water-sensitive cities are outlined, whose characteristics restore healthy ecosystem conditions and respect natural habitats; cities in which it is possible to return to clean and healthy rivers that can be enjoyed by this and future generations.
During the last century, the river became a drain for industries, houses and businesses, so in 1964, as in many cities around the world, it was dumped prioritizing motorized mobility
Without water there is no city. Historically, human settlements flourished around lakes, ponds and springs usable for agriculture and the consolidation of comfortable places to live. Ancient civilizations shared with pre-Hispanic Mesoamerican cultures the worldview about the vital connection with water, which is why they protected and worshiped it for centuries. With the passage of time, and exponentially in recent decades, this connection has been lost and the consumption model permeated in societies is a responsible party. The present generations only know invisible rivers, which entails the responsibility of taking action towards their recovery.
There is a hopeful storm of ideas, projects and initiatives that are taking action in the sanitation and care of urban rivers. It is about communities and cities struggling for sustainability from the local point of view. One of them is headed by the Public Space Laboratory in Mexico in conjunction with other citizen, government and business initiatives in the city of Puebla; city founded in 1531 on the banks of the San Francisco River. During the last century, the tributary became a drain for industries, houses and businesses, so in 1964, as in many cities around the world, it was dumped prioritizing motorized mobility. Many of the young people and children who live in the city today have never had the experience of enjoying and caring for it,they do not even imagine that under their feet runs what one day gave splendor to the city. Similarly, other cities in the world are returning the space previously given to motorized mobility to rivers, such as the Maliesingel in Ultrecht.
The recognition of these emergencies has prompted the creation of the First International Congress of Urban Rivers, an effort that will bring together on October 6, 7 and 8 people from different countries, such as Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Brazil, Spain, Japan, Mexico or Germany, to share experiences, citizen struggles, research and projects aligned with the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Due to this, the multidisciplinary flow of the congress is aligned with five guiding axes:
1. Scientific research and production
2. Reintegration projects to urban systems
3. Efforts of local governments
4. Social activism
5. Guarantee the future of water resources
The program of this congress brings together initiatives such as the group Caminar el agua de Chile, where a team of specialists promotes exploratory tours to raise awareness and educate at an early age. The Workshop 13 team will also participate, which promotes the removal of the main rivers in Mexico City; and the urban planner Mariko Sugita will expose the water culture of Japan and the care of its urban tributaries. The architect Paola Gacitúa, director of Parque Mapocho Río of the Ministry of Housing and Urbanism of Chile, will relate the experience in management, citizen participation and benefits to the environment. From Spain, Dr. Julián Lebraro from the University of Seville will present a proposal for the recovery of the Cholulteca in Honduras, to mention some of the 11 invited countries.
Under this background, the first international congress will agree on the creation of the World Network of Urban Rivers, in order to continue encouraging and accompanying actions for the care of water.
To be part of it, all you have to do is complete the registration process.