The communities settled in the South of Ciénaga de la Virgen are economically and environmentally the most vulnerable populations in Cartagena.
They lack basic infrastructure such as sewage systems, access to clean water, economic and educational opportunities, or means to improve their poorly self-built homes that regularly flood. Carelessly dumped trash in the canals reaches Ciénaga de la Virgen North, impacting its ecosystems. The degradation of water, loss of Mangroves, biodiversity, and fishing culture are not individual problems. They are tied together and originate from a lack of support from the government and the hardship of these communities.
The proposal envisions alleviating the inequity for these communities by creating a new circular economic system. The trash collection outposts constructed in neighborhoods will provide temporary trash picking jobs that lead to restoring the canals and the fishing job. Through crafting education for the locals, the collected waste transforms into new products which can be re-consumed while providing a source of income.
On a larger scale, the project proposes banning plastic bags by tourists, and phasing out petrochemical and plastic production, while creating more recycling facilities.
