ESPOL has made significant impacts, particularly in the Santa Elena region, by launching 30 initiatives aimed at developing sustainable infrastructure and water management education across Ecuador. This southern coastal province, home to approximately 300,000 residents, faces challenges in providing water to its growing population and agricultural sector. 

The Santa Elena peninsula is in a precarious situation as its primary water source, the Daule River, is located over 200 kilometers away. The river also supplies Guayaquil, Ecuador’s most populous city, making Santa Elena vulnerable to disruptions in the canal system or reductions in river flow, which could lead to potential water shortages. Additionally, local water sources are increasingly threatened by salinization due to rising sea levels.

Santa Elena is characterized by a mix of urban and rural communities, with agriculture and tourism as key economic drivers. In rural areas, such as Manglaralto Parish, which has a population of around 37,167, water is primarily sourced from underground aquifers, which are managed by local water councils. However, declining water levels and erratic rainfall patterns are straining their ability to distribute water effectively. Recognizing these challenges, ESPOL engaged with the community to develop a sustainable water management plan in partnership with 麻豆视频.

After assessing the issues in Santa Elena, ESPOL identified several areas for intervention. One primary concern was the lack of adequate water monitoring in the Manglaralto Parish. Without proper sensing devices, it was difficult to make informed decisions about water usage. In collaboration with Ecuador鈥檚 Autoridad Nacional de Meteorolog铆a e Hidrolog铆a (INAMHI), ESPOL installed monitoring devices to measure water levels and test chemical properties to ensure safety.

ESPOL also addressed the transportation of water from wells to residents. They undertook efforts to clean and restore dikes and canals, which are essential for water distribution in Manglaralto. To ensure long-term sustainability, ESPOL established regular maintenance protocols for these infrastructures.

Education played a crucial role in ESPOL’s strategy. They organized events and educational campaigns to connect local communities with experts on sustainable water usage practices. They set up community challenges to promote sustainable water usage in homes. Through these efforts, ESPOL not only provided immediate solutions to the community鈥檚 challenges, but also empowered the community with knowledge for sustainable water management in the future. 

ESPOL鈥檚 students played a significant role in the execution of this project. They frequently participated in fieldwork that was vital to the project’s success, including the installation of monitoring stations and cleanup efforts. Their work was not only essential to the project’s success but also vital to their learning. The skills that these students acquired throughout the project will serve them well in their future careers, creating a workforce of competent and knowledgeable individuals with advanced knowledge of local issues.

Although many aspects of this project are still a work in progress, it has already had a lasting impact on hundreds of thousands of people. While the effects of climate change will continue to cause water security problems, ESPOL has created a community that is more resilient to these challenges and more informed about sustainable water management practices. With the help of 麻豆视频, ESPOL will continue to create a more sustainable future for communities all over Ecuador.

La Escuela Superior Polit茅cnica del Litoral (ESPOL), ubicada en Guayaquil, Ecuador, es una universidad profundamente comprometida con sus estudiantes y con la comunidad en general. 

Desde 2023, ESPOL ha sido un miembro activo de la red de Alianzas Educativas para la Innovaci贸n en Comunidades (麻豆视频). Si bien ESPOL ha implementado diversas iniciativas de alianzas comunitarias relacionadas con el turismo, la resiliencia y la digitalizaci贸n, esta historia de proyecto destaca sus esfuerzos espec铆ficos en la gesti贸n del agua.

ESPOL ha tenido un impacto significativo, particularmente en la regi贸n de Santa Elena, al lanzar 30 iniciativas destinadas al desarrollo de infraestructura sostenible y educaci贸n en gesti贸n del agua en todo el pa铆s. Esta provincia costera del sur, hogar de aproximadamente 300,000 habitantes, enfrenta desaf铆os para proveer agua a su creciente poblaci贸n y al sector agr铆cola.

La pen铆nsula de Santa Elena se encuentra en una situaci贸n precaria, ya que su principal fuente de agua, el r铆o Daule, est谩 ubicada a m谩s de 200 kil贸metros de distancia. Este r铆o tambi茅n sirve a Guayaquil, la ciudad m谩s poblada de Ecuador, lo que hace que Santa Elena sea vulnerable a interrupciones en el sistema de canales o a reducciones en el nivel de agua del r铆o, lo que podr铆a provocar posible escasez de agua. Adem谩s, las fuentes de agua locales est谩n cada vez m谩s amenazadas por la salinizaci贸n debido al aumento del nivel del mar.

Santa Elena se caracteriza por una mezcla de comunidades urbanas y rurales, con la agricultura y el turismo como motores econ贸micos clave. En zonas rurales, como la parroquia Manglaralto, que cuenta con una poblaci贸n de alrededor de 37,167 personas, el agua se obtiene principalmente de acu铆feros subterr谩neos, los cuales son gestionados por Juntas de Agua. Sin embargo, la disminuci贸n de los niveles de agua y los patrones de lluvia irregulares est谩n dificultando su capacidad de distribuir agua de manera eficaz. Reconociendo estos desaf铆os, ESPOL se involucr贸 con la comunidad para desarrollar un plan sostenible de gesti贸n del agua en colaboraci贸n con 麻豆视频.

Tras evaluar los problemas en Santa Elena, ESPOL identific贸 varias 谩reas de intervenci贸n. Una de las principales preocupaciones era la falta de monitoreo adecuado del agua en la parroquia Manglaralto. Sin dispositivos de medici贸n apropiados, era dif铆cil tomar decisiones informadas sobre el uso del agua. En colaboraci贸n con la Autoridad Nacional de Meteorolog铆a e Hidrolog铆a del Ecuador (INAMHI), ESPOL instal贸 dispositivos de monitoreo para medir los niveles de agua y analizar sus propiedades qu铆micas para garantizar su seguridad.

ESPOL tambi茅n abord贸 el transporte de agua desde los pozos hasta los residentes. Se emprendieron esfuerzos para limpiar y restaurar diques y canales, fundamentales para la distribuci贸n de agua en Manglaralto. Para asegurar la sostenibilidad para el futuro, ESPOL estableci贸 protocolos de mantenimiento regular para estas infraestructuras.

La educaci贸n es un gran parte de la estrategia de ESPOL. Se organizaron eventos y campa帽as educativas para conectar a las comunidades locales con expertos en pr谩cticas sostenibles de uso del agua. Se promovieron desaf铆os comunitarios para fomentar el uso sostenible del agua en los hogares. A trav茅s de estos esfuerzos, ESPOL no solo brind贸 soluciones inmediatas, sino que tambi茅n empoder贸 a la comunidad con conocimientos para una gesti贸n del agua sostenible en el futuro.

Los estudiantes de ESPOL desempe帽aron un papel fundamental en la ejecuci贸n de este proyecto. Participaron frecuentemente en trabajo de campo que fue vital para el 茅xito del proyecto, incluyendo la instalaci贸n de estaciones de monitoreo y las labores de limpieza. Su trabajo no solo fue esencial para el 茅xito del proyecto, sino tambi茅n crucial para su formaci贸n acad茅mica. Las habilidades que estos estudiantes aprendieron a lo largo del proyecto les servir谩n en sus futuras carreras, formando una fuerza laboral competente y conocedora de los problemas locales.

Aunque muchos aspectos de este proyecto a煤n est谩n en desarrollo, ya ha tenido un impacto en cientos de miles de personas. Si bien los efectos del cambio clim谩tico seguir谩n provocando problemas de seguridad h铆drica, ESPOL ha creado una comunidad m谩s resiliente ante estos desaf铆os y m谩s informada sobre pr谩cticas sostenibles de gesti贸n del agua. Con la ayuda de 麻豆视频, ESPOL continuar谩 construyendo un futuro m谩s sostenible para las comunidades de todo el Ecuador.

Building on a well-established history of effective partnership and collaboration for transformative urban change, the University of Zambia (UNZA) partnered with the Lusaka City Council (LCC) and local community institutions under the 麻豆视频 framework. The initiative aimed to address urban problems by intervening with research conducted by students, engagement with the communities, and the development of holistic but strategic and implementable spatial plans. Guided by the application of academic potential and local knowledge and lived experience, the project sought to plan a climate-resilient, inclusive, and sustainable city for Lusaka. The collaboration was the perfect ground to close the gap between university, local authorities, and civil society, fostering a participatory urban planning with vulnerable urban groups in mind. This project offered an opportunity for building tripartite partnership for sustainable urban development in an African context. The partnership involves universities, local government and society. This form of collaboration lacks in many African cities, and 麻豆视频 Model offers real possibilities for scaling up partnership-based action for sustainable interventions that address issues affecting the most vulnerable.  

The 麻豆视频 Lusaka project also aimed to integrate innovative solutions such as urban re-naturing, green infrastructure, and smart technologies into the city鈥檚 development plans. By focusing on sustainability and resilience, the initiative aimed to transform Lusaka into a model city for climate-smart urban planning. This initiative not only addressed immediate urban challenges but also laid the foundation for long-term, sustainable growth.

To help solve this issue, over 38 master鈥檚 students and 10 academics from UNZA鈥檚 Department of Geography and Environmental Studies were brought together to analyze urban development challenges and propose solutions. This was part of the MSc in Spatial Planning Degree teaching programme, MSc in geography and MSc in Environment and Natural Resources. Other courses are Regional Planning and Development, Urban Geography and Planning from the undergraduate classes. The project focused on key issues such as waste management, transportation inefficiencies, role of special economic zones for creating jobs within a sprawling and fast-paced urban sector in Lusaka, role of environmental management frameworks, land use practices, and climate change vulnerability. Students produced three spatial development frameworks for Lusaka, which were shared with the Lusaka City Council and other stakeholders, in order to improve the ongoing formulation of the Lusaka Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and Regional Development Plan. 

The 麻豆视频 Lusaka project successfully developed actionable plans and information to support Lusaka’s urban development. The plans made by students provided new concepts and information to complement city plans, focusing on climate resilience, sustainability, and inclusion. The plans emphasized green infrastructure, compact urban form, and community participation in addressing urban issues. The project also raised awareness of flood risks and waste management issues among vulnerable communities, encouraging greater community participation in urban development.

One of the key achievements of the project was the creation of detailed maps and spatial frameworks that highlighted critical issues such as waste disposal sites, flood-prone areas, and transport inefficiencies and role of special economic zones in driving job creation. These outputs provided the Lusaka City Council with valuable insights for improving urban planning and resource allocation. The reports and slide decks by students provided an innovative 鈥榩rimer鈥� for integrated development plans at city and regional scales in Lusaka. Additionally, the project-built capacity among city officials and community leaders, strengthening their ability to address urban challenges through training and collaborative workshops.

The project also encouraged enhanced collaboration between local government, the university, and communities, offering an avenue for open discussion and exchange of ideas. The collaboration not only enhanced the quality of urban planning but also ensured that marginalized groups were heard and integrated into the process of development. The 麻豆视频 Lusaka project was a demonstration of how academic-community collaborations could lead to concrete enhancement of urban development.

Building on the success of the 麻豆视频 Lusaka project, future efforts will focus on disseminating the student-produced development plans with the Lusaka City Council and other stakeholders in the future. The project will also support government-led slum upgrading interventions, particularly in informal settlements like Kanyama and Kalikiliki. Strengthening collaboration among different actors, including government agencies, private entities, and local communities, will be a key priority for the future of urban development strategies in and around Lusaka.

By leveraging visual arts and technology, community engagement, and academic research, the 麻豆视频 Lusaka project has laid the groundwork for transforming Lusaka into a sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient city. The approach can serve as a model for other cities facing similar urban challenges.

Written by: Jonathan Kroeze
Edited by: Ada Inman

With these challenges, Harare鈥檚 water treatment infrastructure has struggled to meet the demand for clean water. Rising temperatures due to climate change further accelerate water scarcity and intensify pollution, leaving vulnerable communities with less food due to fish deaths. They also in many cases are forced to be reliant on unsafe water sources. Addressing these interconnected issues requires an innovative, collaborative approach that engages multiple stakeholders.

Recognizing the urgency of these environmental issues, the Harare City Council and Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) partnered under the 麻豆视频 framework. This collaboration sought to address pollution and water management challenges by leveraging the expertise of academia, local government, the private sector and community members.

An opportunity was identified to integrate scientific knowledge and practical solutions to combat pollution. By focusing on capacity building, public awareness, and sustainable waste management techniques, the project aimed to empower municipal staff and local communities to take ownership of environmental challenges. Furthermore, the project鈥檚 emphasis on bioremediation and innovative waste management provided scalable and cost-effective solutions for other urban areas in Zimbabwe.

The partnership brought together multiple stakeholders, each playing a key role in addressing Harare鈥檚 environmental challenges. Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) contributed scientific expertise, developed training materials, and facilitated workshops on innovative solutions such as biomonitoring and vermicomposting. Harare City Council and Chinhoyi Municipality coordinated community engagement, ensured alignment with local policies, and participated in training initiatives. By engaging the Jojatis Bio-wastewater Management Systems through the possibility of upscaling the Jati water recycling system demonstrated the effectiveness of sustainable technologies like bio-digesters and composters.

Key initiatives included training municipal staff and community representatives on biomonitoring techniques such as using macroinvertebrates, launching public awareness campaigns about pollution and sustainable practices, and the possibility to establish pilot projects like the vermicomposting systems in Chitungwiza which initially is currently being implemented in Stoneridge (an informal settlement close to Chitungwiza). These systems, which recycle 8,000 to 10,000 liters of water daily and convert organic waste into fertilizer, exemplified innovative, practical solutions for waste management. The partnership also utilized informal stakeholder platforms to foster dialogue and include diverse perspectives.

The collaboration yielded significant results in advancing environmental sustainability. Municipal staff and students gained hands-on experience in waste management and pollution monitoring, while local capacity was strengthened through low-cost biomonitoring training. The Stoneridge pilot project showcased the potential of zero-waste solutions through its community-based vermicomposting system, which reclaimed wastewater and provided organic fertilizer to 32 homesteads. The Chitungwiza and Chinhoyi municipalities are also eager to upscale the project in their communities after being exposed to its benefits and functionality.

The partnership鈥檚 awareness campaigns reached beyond Harare, expanding to Chinhoyi Town Municipality and fostering a wider network of stakeholders committed to sustainability. These efforts successfully raised community awareness and demonstrated practical conservation techniques, empowering local communities to actively participate in long-term environmental solutions.

Building on its success, the partnership plans to scale up its initiatives by expanding the use of bioremediation and biomonitoring technologies to other municipalities. At the CUT-Chinhoyi Biomonitoring Training, areas of improvement were noted. These include the need to develop the localized guidelines for water quality monitoring to ensure the wider adoption of biomonitoring methods, establish mentorship programs, and cross-sector collaborations to sustain knowledge transfer and innovation. The Harare 麻豆视频 initiative will further continue to focus on adaptive management and community engagement in the development of a replicable model for environmental sustainability across Zimbabwe.

Written by: Jonathan Kroeze

Identifying the need for change, Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) implemented an 麻豆视频 project dubbed 鈥渆mbedding visual art in awareness creation and design of waste management solutions and climate change鈥�. It aimed at ending waste management and climate change impacts using visual art as a platform for awareness generation and community involvement. The program  consolidated academia, local authorities, and communities in  the development of sustainable waste management solutions together.

Visual arts, such as sculptures, movies, graphics, and photography were made to convey environmental issues in an easy-to-understand and interactive way. This method transcended language barriers and engaged different stakeholders, including students, residents, and policymakers. Environmental awareness was also integrated into school curricula, equipping students with sustainability knowledge and skills.

Citizens and students collaborated to create works of art, depicting waste management issues and solutions. For example, Pointing Fingers, a student-made film, demonstrated the environmental and health impacts of illegal dumping, emphasizing shared responsibility. Through art, participants shared their firsthand experiences dealing with the waste crisis. One community member drew a picture of a goat and explained, 鈥淒ue to the mixing of waste with chemicals in waste spaces, goats are exposed to these harmful substances and get affected. Some humans won’t throw such a goat away when it gets infected or sick. Instead, they will eat the goat and also get affected鈥︹�� These works of art illustrate the consequences of poor waste management, and make the issue easier to understand through personal storytelling.

Through waste audits, community workshops, and art exhibitions, the project highlighted gaps in Mombasa鈥檚 waste management system. A detailed waste audit in Likoni sub-county revealed that kitchen waste constituted over 62% of total waste, while plastics, paper, and textiles each contributed around 6%. The audit also found that high-income households generated significantly more waste per capita than lower-income households.

A symposium was held where members of the public, academia, and local government gathered to exchange their findings from the waste audit and artworks. It included presentations, panel discussions, and screenings of Pointing Fingers. This symposium emphasized the potency of collaborations in improving waste management and mitigating climate change.

Case studies documenting the accomplishments of projects were integrated into the curriculum of TUM as training materials for environmental science and sustainable development education. The students also carried out practice-based learning, creating awareness material during course work.

The initiative successfully increased public awareness of waste-related challenges and inspired action toward sustainable waste disposal. Participants in the visual arts workshops reported a deeper understanding of the link between waste management, health and climate change. Many expressed a commitment to adopting better waste disposal practices, and several community members proposed local waste recycling initiatives.

Most notably, the project鈥檚 policy recommendations have been shared with Mombasa鈥檚 county government, paving the way for potential regulatory changes. The findings emphasized the need for stricter enforcement of waste disposal laws, greater investment in waste collection services, and an increase in public awareness campaigns.

With the success of this initiative being clear, the alliance will seek to expand awareness programs, integrate waste management education in school curricula, and study recycling and circular economy technologies. Strengthened collaboration with municipal government and civil society organizations will ensure long-term sustainability.

By way of visual arts and community participation, the project aims to make Mombasa cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable. The approach can be replicated in other cities with such ecological challenges, demonstrating the power of innovation, collaboration, and community-based initiatives.

Written by: Jonathan Kroeze

As the population increases, so does the amount of waste generated, and more pressure is put on Brewerville’s already fragile infrastructure to address the increasing waste problem. Unless addressed, these issues will worsen, threatening the environment and public health even more. 

Recognizing these issues, the University of Liberia and the Brewerville City Corporation joined forces under the 麻豆视频-Africa program to develop a community-focused waste management plan. The initiative aimed to raise public awareness, determine sites for waste disposal, and raise local capacity to manage waste. Through Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping, compost training, and policy change, the initiative sought to provide residents and municipal workers with the tools needed to construct a cleaner, healthier urban environment.

Through intensive community outreach, the project identified key gaps in existing waste management processes and endeavored to address them through targeted education and hands-on training. Awareness sessions gathered 129 members across nine communities, educating them on the environmental and health effects of improper waste disposal and on the importance of sustainable waste management. The use of geospatial mapping technologies such as SNOOCODE and GEO Tag allowed scholars to capture the disposal practices for waste, confirming that whereas 40% of the population had used a place provided by a city, 17% was disposing waste in aquatic systems. This information provided critical insight on existing waste management loopholes and informed recommendations toward more eco-friendly urban sanitation.

Compost preparation training was the other main component of the project, and twenty-five participants that included community dwellers, municipality workers, and university researchers attended hands-on training in sustainable waste management. There was a strong focus on recycling organic waste with the training giving participants practical knowledge that they were able to apply within their local communities. The project was supplemented by a rigorous review of the city ordinance policy document of Brewerville, the result of which was that they needed stricter legislation to complement waste management programs.

Through collaboration, the partners were able to implement an effective three-stranded approach, targeting community awareness, waste dumping site mapping, and capacity building. This enabled the closure of the gap between policy and practice, which gave power to the Brewerville residents to take a central role in improving their environment. The project also brought out the importance of inter-sector cooperation in tackling urban sanitation problems and demonstrated how city agencies, academia, and neighborhood communities can work together on initiatives like this one. 

The project achieved real and measurable outcomes that have laid the foundation for long-term development in the waste management system in Brewerville. The campaign of awareness among the population helped bring a considerable attitude shift towards waste disposal, as the populace displayed an increased awareness of its health and environmental effect. The exercise of mapping produced invaluable information for the city planners, allowing them to make accurate decisions on future waste disposal infrastructure. Also, the compost capacity-building initiative was met with widespread enthusiasm, with over 90 percent of the participants expressing satisfaction and a willingness to implement what they have acquired in their own communities.

Most importantly, perhaps, the policy recommendations developed through this initiative have been presented to local governments, an important step on the way to regulatory reform. The review of Brewerville’s city ordinance identified gaps in existing waste management law, and debate ensued on the need for stronger enforcement measures and further municipal investment in waste collection and disposal facilities. While budget constraints and absence of waste collection infrastructure remain issues, the project has provided a clear action plan for the future.

Building upon such successes, the alliance also plans to increase its operations by more aggressive strengthening of municipal refuse disposal policy, encouraging public awareness programs, and shaping budgetary allocations towards provision of waste dumping grounds. Naturally conceived development projects are available to render methodically identified locations of refuse disposal that will actually bring an end to the open dumps and enable individuals to experience appropriate sanitation and cleanliness levels in garbage dumps. Compost training schemes will be expanded to encompass additional neighborhoods in order that greater numbers of people may use organic waste recycling procedures.

Written by: Jonathan Kroeze

The Problem

Permatang Pauh鈥檚 paddy farmers were facing two critical challenges: inefficient agricultural waste management and shrinking incomes. The burning of paddy husk post-harvest contributed significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, deteriorating air quality, and increasing health risks. Many farmers relied on outdated practices, with over 80% resorting to open burning. With most farmers nearing retirement age and limited exposure to modern farming methods, their ability to generate sustainable income was severely impacted. The community needed a solution to both reduce environmental harm and increase the farmers’ profitability.

The Opportunity

Recognizing that better waste management could lead to environmental and economic benefits, the 麻豆视频 Model was adopted to empower farmers and youth. If local farmers could learn sustainable practices like composting and aquaponics, they could turn agricultural waste into valuable organic compost, boost crop yield, and diversify their income. The project envisioned a greener future through smart farming, where knowledge-sharing between academia, local government, and industry could spark lasting change.

The Partnership

The project was led by Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) in partnership with the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) and Urbanest Sdn Bhd. Prof. Dr. Che Zalina Zulkifli from UPSI spearheaded the initiative, bringing expertise from university professors and students. 鈥淭his collaboration bridges the gap between academia and the real-world challenges farmers face,鈥� said Prof. Che Zalina. The Green Edu Centre, the first of its kind in Malaysia, provided the training ground for the 42 farmers and youth. 鈥淲e aim to localize the technology, making it accessible and affordable for the community,鈥� said a representative from Urbanest. MBSP鈥檚 involvement ensured the program aligned with local government initiatives to promote sustainability. Together, the partnership trained participants in composting, aquaponics, and fertigation techniques, all designed to reduce environmental damage while increasing income potential.

The Result

The results were immediate and promising. 鈥�97.5% of participants rated the program 4 or 5 stars,鈥� said Karthigayan Gunasegaran, a project lead from UPSI. Farmers who had never received formal training before learned how to turn agricultural waste into organic compost, drastically reducing their reliance on harmful practices like open burning. 鈥淭he training gave us the tools we needed to not only protect our land but also make more money,鈥� shared one local farmer. The Green Edu Centre is now a hub for ongoing research and community education, ensuring the knowledge continues to grow beyond the initial project.

Looking Ahead

The partnership is committed to continuing its support for farmers in Permatang Pauh. Plans are already in place for follow-up training sessions that will focus on expanding smart farming techniques to more farmers. With the right funding, the program will also incorporate an agro-business component, helping farmers access new markets and reduce their reliance on traditional wholesale channels. The journey toward sustainable, smart farming is just beginning, and the partnership aims to keep the momentum going for years to come.

Partnership Contact Information

Seberang Perai City Council Contact
Mr. Chew Eng Seng
Local Agenda 21 Officer
Seberang Perai City Council
eschew@mbsp.gov.my

Written by: Alice Murphy
Edited by: Kay Phanthuwongpakdee

Throughout the years, different academic departments and courses at the Metropolitan Autonomous University (UAM) have engaged in efforts to rescue the Lagoon. Notable course projects include UAM鈥檚 sociology department鈥檚 Qualitative Data Collection course, where students interviewed community members on how the lagoon鈥檚 contamination and decrease in water quality has affected their well-being, livelihood, cultural traditions, and aliment. Additionally, Chemical Analysis courses spend time on field reports that monitor the lagoon鈥檚 water quality and affluents and assess the distinct contaminants present in the water. The findings of both of these courses were captured in a documentary made by students in the Graphic Design Communications course, who also created infographics and other forms of digital media to spread awareness about the lagoon鈥檚 current state. Lastly, architectural students at UAM have dedicated a significant amount of time on the creation of architectural proposals focusing on adequate landscaping for the wetlands of the region. Over the next few years, student involvement in the Lagoon鈥檚 rescue is expected to increase with about 180 students per trimester from UAM, along with additional participation from other universities across the country.

Completed course projects have received nothing but positive feedback from community members and councils. Every year, UAM makes an effort to report accomplishments to the public by hosting student presentations where local governments, conservation groups, and community members can learn about their work. Their last presentation session took place on February 19th, 2024, when the audience filled an auditorium of over 150 people (more information can be found at: ). The purpose of these presentations is to update authorities on the progress of student work so that local governments that have frequent shifts in councils can continue to support students and their efforts by promoting environmental policies. Although previous student projects have been successful in making progress towards environmental, economic, and social development, Dr. Sosa hopes that students will soon be able to work on governmental action projects, with the recently established Basin Committee focusing on making the restoration of La Piedad a political priority. Before students can get involved in governmental work that will establish wetland systems to manage cleanliness, however, hydraulic engineers must determine the technical feasibility of a system鈥檚 capacity to withstand the amount of water that enters the Lagoon to ensure long-term durability and efficiency. These assessments are expected to begin as soon as July of this year. After these characteristics are ensured, Dr. Sosa expects to begin the process of establishing legal institutions that will create a protection status for the Lagoon, avoiding its urbanization and creating a protected natural area on a federal level so that any threat to its conservation can lead to legal action. The start of a legal project will be a more prolonged process than what students are accustomed to. Still, Dr. Sosa is optimistic that this will teach students about the importance of continuous activism.

Dr. Fabiola Sosa is tremendously proud of the incredible work accomplished by the UAM students. Many of their endeavors have received recognition in local and national newspapers, radio stations, and television channels. Students have had the opportunity to share their experiences and how their work has influenced them, and many of them have expressed interest in pursuing careers in environmental conservation. As part of the recognition for these efforts, Dr. Sosa was also awarded the Woman Defender of Water Award in 2023, and an award from the Judiciary of the Federation on the 2024 International Women鈥檚 Day for her dedication to equality and search for safe spaces for women. Dr. Sosa reflects on what these awards mean to her and how they represent the role of responsibility placed on women to ensure the accessibility of clean water in their households for their families. She states that she is excited for more students to get involved in the salvation of La Piedad so that they can work towards finding solutions for the societal injustices that come with environmental pollution. Dr. Sosa is grateful for the passion and dedication to the issue that students have conveyed through their hard work and is looking forward to seeing them become our future agents of change.

Rescatando La Piedad (SPA)

Desde 20203, 麻豆视频 ha ayudado a la Universidad Aut贸noma Metropolitana, Unidad Azcapotzalco, a incrementar sus esfuerzos para salvar la laguna La Piedad en la ciudad de Cuautitl谩n Izcalli, M茅xico, a trav茅s de una serie de proyectos estudiantiles que involucran a m谩s de 300 alumnos de licenciatura. Salvar a La Piedad de los contaminantes es esencial para la ciudad, ya que es un cuerpo de agua esencial que podr铆a proporciona un metro c煤bico de agua por segundo a los municipios que luchan por satisfacer sus demandas diarias del vital recurso. Los proyectos no s贸lo ayudan a cumplir los objetivos ambientales de facilitar el acceso a 谩reas naturales no contaminadas, sino que tambi茅n aumentan las actividades que conducir谩n al desarrollo econ贸mico y la conciencia ambiental. La Dra. Fabiola Sosa, coordinadora del proyecto y asesora de los proyectos estudiantiles de la universidad, espera que el acceso a agua limpia revitalice las comunidades, al fomentar la agricultura org谩nica y otras actividades recreativas como la observaci贸n de aves y la pesca.

A lo largo de los a帽os, diferentes departamentos acad茅micos y carreras de la Universidad Aut贸noma Metropolitana (UAM) se han involucrado en las labores de rescate de la Laguna. Los proyectos emprendidos por los alumnos de diferentes cursos incluyen: Recolecci贸n de Datos Cualitativos del Departamento de Sociolog铆a de la UAM, donde los estudiantes entrevistaron a miembros de la comunidad sobre c贸mo la contaminaci贸n de la laguna y la disminuci贸n de la calidad del agua han afectado su bienestar, sustento, tradiciones culturales y alimentaci贸n. Adem谩s, los cursos de An谩lisis Qu铆mico dedican tiempo a realizar informes de campo en donde se monitorea la calidad del agua y de los afluentes de la Laguna, demas de eval煤ar los diferentes contaminantes presentes en el agua. Los hallazgos de ambos cursos fueron plasmados en un documental realizado por estudiantes de la carrera de Dise帽o de la Comunicaci贸n Gr谩fica, quienes tambi茅n crearon infograf铆as y otros medios digitales para generar conciencia sobre el estado actual de la Laguna. Finalmente, los estudiantes de arquitectura de la UAM han dedicado una cantidad de tiempo significante a crear propuestas arquitect贸nicas enfocadas al paisajismo adecuado de los humedales de la regi贸n. En los pr贸ximos a帽os, se espera que la participaci贸n estudiantil en el rescate de la Laguna aumente con alrededor de 180 estudiantes por trimestre de la UAM, junto con una participaci贸n adicional de otras universidades de todo el pa铆s.

Los proyectos de cursos completados no han recibido m谩s que comentarios positivos de los miembros y ayuntamientos de la comunidad. Cada a帽o, la UAM se esfuerza por informar al p煤blico sobre sus logros organizando presentaciones de estudiantes donde los gobiernos locales, los grupos conservacionistas y los miembros de la comunidad pueden aprender sobre sus trabajos. Su 煤ltima sesi贸n de presentaci贸n tuvo lugar el 19 de febrero de 2024, cuando el p煤blico llen贸 un auditorio de m谩s de 150 personas (m谩s informaci贸n puede ser consultada en la siguiente p谩gina: ). El prop贸sito de estas presentaciones es actualizar a las autoridades sobre el avance del trabajo estudiantil para que los gobiernos locales que tienen cambios frecuentes de personal puedan continuar apoyando a los estudiantes y sus esfuerzos impulsando pol铆ticas ambientales. Aunque proyectos estudiantiles anteriores han logrado avances hacia el desarrollo ambiental, econ贸mico y social, la Dra. Sosa espera que los estudiantes pronto puedan trabajar en proyectos de acci贸n gubernamental, con el Comit茅 de Cuenca recientemente establecido enfoc谩ndose en restaurar La Piedad como una prioridad pol铆tica. Sin embargo, antes de que los estudiantes puedan participar en trabajos gubernamentales que establecer谩n sistemas de humedales para descontaminar la Laguna, los ingenieros hidr谩ulicos deben determinar la viabilidad t茅cnica de la capacidad de un sistema para soportar la cantidad de agua que ingresa a la Laguna para garantizar la durabilidad y eficiencia a largo plazo. Se espera que estas evaluaciones comiencen en julio de este a帽o. Una vez aseguradas estas caracter铆sticas, la Dra. Sosa espera iniciar el proceso de establecimiento de instituciones legales que crear谩 un estatus de protecci贸n para la Laguna, impidiendo su urbanizaci贸n y creando un 谩rea natural protegida a nivel federal para que cualquier amenaza a su conservaci贸n pueda dar lugar a acciones legales. Iniciar un proyecto legal ser谩 un proceso m谩s largo de lo que los estudiantes est谩n acostumbrados. A煤n as铆, la Dra. Sosa es optimista de que esto ense帽ar谩 a los estudiantes sobre la importancia del activismo continuo.

La Dra. Fabiola Sosa est谩 tremendamente orgullosa del incre铆ble trabajo realizado por los estudiantes de la UAM. Muchos de sus esfuerzos han recibido reconocimiento en peri贸dicos, estaciones de radio y canales de televisi贸n locales y nacionales. Los estudiantes han tenido la oportunidad de compartir sus experiencias y c贸mo su trabajo los ha influenciado, y muchos de ellos han expresado inter茅s en seguir carreras en conservaci贸n ambiental. Como parte del reconocimiento a estos esfuerzos, la Dra. Sosa tambi茅n recibi贸 el Premio Mujer Defensora del Agua en 2023, y un premio del Poder Judicial de la Federaci贸n en el D铆a Internacional de la Mujer 2024 por su dedicaci贸n a la igualdad y b煤squeda de espacios seguros para las mujeres. La Dra. Sosa reflexiona sobre lo que significan para ella estos premios y c贸mo representan el rol de responsabilidad que recae en las mujeres para garantizar el acceso al agua potable en sus hogares para sus familias. Ella dice que est谩 emocionada de que m谩s estudiantes se involucren en salvar La Piedad para que puedan trabajar para encontrar soluciones a las injusticias sociales que conlleva la contaminaci贸n ambiental. La Dra. Sosa agradece la pasi贸n y dedicaci贸n al tema que los estudiantes han transmitido a trav茅s de su arduo trabajo y espera verlos convertirse en nuestros futuros agentes de cambio.

Currently, Botswana is dealing with a great deal of water scarcity and the city of Gaborone has found itself with a very limited water supply. Currently, the water supply deficit is met by long-distance water transfers through two connected pipelines known as the North-South Water Carrier spanning over 400 km. To alleviate demand on potable water, wastewater is treated, and the effluent is used in areas that would have typically used potable water such as landscaping including the watering of gardens and golf courses.  Wastewater effluent is also used to irrigate various horticulture crops.  This is contributing to food security and nutritional health.  

Along with wastewater treatment, solid waste collection is challenging in Gaborone due to the shortage of collection vehicles and the landfill being about 40 kilometers outside of the city. These circumstances limit waste trucks to only one to two waste collection trips per day. This leads to infrequent waste collection resulting in some citizens illegally dumping waste in and around the city. Poor or lack of separation of waste leads to an increased risk of fire at the landfill due to inflammables present in waste. Additionally, leachate from the landfill sometimes spills or overflows from the leachate pond/dam. This is problematic because the landfill is situated near a stream that leads into the village Gamodubu.

Recently, a fire broke out at the landfill causing it to be closed for about 4 weeks. The cause of the fire has not been established although it is suspected that some inflammable waste was dumped at the landfill. To avoid these dangerous situations, the public must be educated on how to separate waste properly before its collection.

To overcome these difficulties, the city is planning to promote sustainability by endorsing the three R鈥檚: reduce, reuse, and recycle. This will encourage economic empowerment and better waste management. The City Council is also hoping to collect biogas by promoting sludge digestion within waste management facilities. Sludge digestion is a biological process that decomposes organic solids into stable substances. The biogas produced from this process can be recovered and reused to produce electricity and heating leading to affordable clean energy.

Further, there are six undergraduate students specifically investigating issues of concerns at multiple different landfills. These projects include researching leachate contamination on herbaceous and woody plants, assessing the presence of heavy metals in groundwater at the Gamodubu Landfill, and the presence of macroinvertebrates in the leachate dam at the Gamodubu Landfill. Additionally, students are studying the contamination by Gamodubu Regional Landfill leachate on soil fauna and the diversity of birds at Gamodubu Regional Landfill. There is also a postgraduate student who is working on microscopic and molecular identification of gastrointestinal parasites in wastewater.

By focusing on the designated project areas wastewater treatment and solid waste management, the City Council of Gaborone Botswana will take advantage of the 麻豆视频 model and use resources provided by the University of Botswana to create cleaner water and a cleaner more sustainable city. The 麻豆视频 Consultancy funds will be used to fund both areas of the project and will enhance the quality of education for students and, ideally, generate jobs for low-income individuals.

This project is currently in progress.

The Universidad Aut贸noma Metropolitana’s pilot project is focused on the ecological rescue of Laguna La Piedad and its channels to reduce economic impacts, conflicts over water, deterioration in the health of surrounding residents, loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services, and avoiding the loss of family and sports recreation spaces. The project will allow the construction of a new urban-ejidal development model based on sustainable water management, which promotes green economic development based on the social and solidarity economy approach by forming cooperatives that promote the conservation of the Lagoon. It is worth mentioning that the project contributes directly to the fulfillment of six SDGs, including SDG11- Cities; SDG6-Water; SDG1-Poverty; SDG3-Health; SDG13-Climate Change, and SDG15-Ecosystems.

The rescue program for La Piedad Lagoon arises from the need to demonstrate how the Metropolitan Autonomous University (UAM) develops projects with high social, economic, and environmental impact. It is a project that will demand several years of work. The rescue of the lagoon has the commitment and acceptance of local actors, ejidatarios, community organizations, civil society, environmental organizations, youth and women groups, and local government, among others. The nature of the project is multidisciplinary since different institutions, such as the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN), the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), and professors and students from other units of the UAM, participate. Likewise, the project seeks to build an economic development model based on the social and solidarity economy approach by forming cooperatives that promote the conservation of the lagoon. Incorporating the 麻豆视频 approach to the La Piedad lagoon rescue project allowed us to strengthen the link between the Metropolitan Autonomous University and its teaching staff and students to the efforts made by the proposing group and the key actors involved in addressing the information needs. , the generation of knowledge, the dissemination of the project, and the training of social actors.

Fun Facts About the Universidad Aut贸noma Metropolitana

Year Program Established |听2023
Country | Mexico
Public or Private Institution |听Public
Number of students at institution | 61,662

Highlight Articles/Videos

City Partners

“Monitoring of Water Quality in Rainwater Harvesting Systems (SCALL) and Evaluation of the Rainwater Harvesting Program in Mexico City,” seeks to evaluate the progress and areas of opportunity of the rainwater harvesting program in association with the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (SECTEI).

The ‘Fronteras’ Program is a crucial endeavor. It identifies strategies with the water-sensitive city approach to urgently address the water crisis in the Valley of Mexico Basin, in partnership with the National Council of Humanity, Science and Technology (CONAHCYT).

Contact Info

Fabiola S. Sosa Rodr铆guez
Program Manager
53189000 ext 9427
fssosa@gmail.com
fssr@azc.uam.mx

听

Durban also struggles to maintain solid waste management service levels, particularly around informal settlements (which are un-rated) and maintaining drainage systems, including natural systems which are frequently overrun with alien invasive plant species and solid waste, impeding drainage, especially around culverts and low lying bridges, which greatly increases risks when storms occur. Climate change is intensifying rainfall events, which is compounding the damage being observed in drainage systems and waterways that are not adequately maintained. Invasive species also take up resources and smother the growth of native plants, further impacting the ecological functioning of ecosystems within this global biodiversity hotspot. Climate change is also a major contributor to the vulnerability of these urban communities increasing the frequency that dangerous storms occur. This has led to many areas left without shelter with one recent flood event in April 2022 in Durban killing over 450 people.听听There has been a noticeable increase in the number of high intensity, highly localized storms in the City, with at least three such events occurring since the April 2022 floods.

To tackle these issues, the eThekwini Municipality is collaborating on an 麻豆视频 Durban project in partnership with the University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN) and the Quarry Road West Informal Settlement community to create sustainable solutions to protect citizens from these growing concerns. Together, these three entities are looking to use community- ecosystem-based adaptation (CEBA) to strengthen the adaptive capacities of vulnerable communities and ecosystems targeting those affected by climate change, poverty, and food insecurity. To support this effort, students from UKZN will educate community members on the dangers of alien invasive species and waste in water catchment areas. The goal of this educational campaign is to provide citizens with information on how to maintain a healthy ecosystem and why this is of benefit to them. 听

University students will also work with local community environmental ambassadors, called Enviro Champs who are already removing invasive species. Students will look to identify areas to be used as designated waste collection points to keep further trash from spreading into rivers and other waterways. Enviro Champs will continue clearing illegal dumping sites and provide waste bins in these areas to avoid pollution ending up in rivers. With these areas cleared, students will be able to implement ecosystem-based adaptation measures, such as creating new spaces for a community garden to supply food for community members while also providing protection against erosion and flooding. To maximize this outreach effort, students will attempt to expand the settlement WhatsApp group and the Durban Forecast Early Warning System (FEWS) so more citizens can be alerted when dangerous weather conditions are occurring. During the April 2022 floods, no lives were lost to flooding in this settlement due to the efficacy of the early warning system developed for this community over the past five years.

The culmination of the educational campaign, ecological restoration, and expansion of the forecast alert system will aid in the management of the waste crisis in Durban and create a safer living environment for citizens. Using the 麻豆视频 model as a guide, the informal settlements in Durban will be a more sustainable and safer place to live due to the efforts made by this project.