Water has been a key element in shaping Cartagena, enabling many positive aspects that have configured the city's urban development and generating unmet challenges for its population. Climate change, fast-paced urban development, and unequal socio-economic conditions will continue to impact Cartagena’s water system in the future.
Colombia and the Netherlands have joined forces to develop the Water as Leverage (WaL) Cartagena project, focusing on innovative urban water management and flood adaptation efforts to improve the city’s water system and help create better living conditions for all Cartageneros. The work executed by the consortium is part of WaL Cartagena, financed by the Dutch government, in partnership with the Alcaldía de Cartagena.
Arcadis was selected to lead the consortium tasked with co-designing solutions for water, urban, and social challenges in the Ciénaga de la Virgen, the Bay of Cartagena, the Coastal Marine Front, and Cartagena's internal canals and lakes as part of this important Colombia water project. In phase one of WaL, conceptual designs were prepared. In phase two (2024), three designs were elaborated in more detail to the pre-feasibility stage. In phase three (2025), the final design has been detailed to the feasibility stage, keeping bankability in mind and making the project ready for construction and implementation.
The WaL Cartagena project contributes to sustainability, resilience, and inclusivity on various levels. While the project's overarching objective focuses on developing a project that can alleviate water challenges, including flood adaptation, it is also an opportunity to unlock financial flows to increase climate resilience and sustainability. The WaL concept’s premise is a joint laboratory with stakeholders and experts to create an arena for pre-project preparation wherein different voices are heard. WaL, as a project, entails a learning process to look beyond panaceas or quick judgment in developing resilient city water solutions. Right from the start, financing organizations and experts are involved in ensuring project funding.
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