Last updated: September 2024
The Cartagena-Barranquilla Road Corridor project, led by the National Infrastructure Agency (Agencia Nacional de Infraestructura (ANI)), covers 146.7 km to enhance connectivity between Cartagena and Barranquilla (ref 2). While primarily a transportation initiative, the project stands out for its focus on environmental conservation and community development. A major goal is the restoration of ecosystems and biodiversity protection. To this end, over 40,000 mangrove seedlings have been planted in the 34.13-hectare Ciénaga de la Virgen, a vital coastal wetland in Cartagena. These mangroves play a crucial role in restoring habitats, capturing carbon, and acting as natural flood barriers, thereby safeguarding nearby communities (ref 1,4,6). The project also tackles hazards like wildlife-vehicle collisions and habitat fragmentation. Seven wildlife crossings have been built to facilitate the safe movement of species, including the endangered Blue Crab (Cardisoma guanhumi) in the Ciénaga de Mallorquín. These crossings are essential for preserving local wildlife (ref 1,7). In terms of socio-economic impact, the project has created over 9,000 jobs and established six bioclimatic nurseries, which provide sustainable livelihoods for communities in La Boquilla, Villa Gloria, Tierra Baja, and Puerto Rey. These nurseries support mangrove restoration and offer local people opportunities to participate in planting, monitoring, and maintenance activities. This approach fosters a circular economy, empowering community members, both men and women, to engage in sustainable economic practices (ref 1,2,6). Overall, the Cartagena-Barranquilla Road Corridor is more than a transport project; it acts as a green corridor with a comprehensive approach that combines environmental conservation, hazard mitigation, and socio-economic development.
picture of the road next to the cienaga
https://www.ani.gov.co/la-concesion-costera-cartagena-barranquilla-es-nominada-al-premio-transport-deal-year-por-la-revista
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Blue infrastructure
- Coastal wetland, mangroves and salt marshes
- Mangroves
- Parks and urban forests
- Green corridors and green belts
Key challenges
- Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
- Climate change adaptation
- Climate change mitigation
- Coastal resilience and marine protection (SDG 14)
- Coastal protection / hazard mitigation
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Green space creation and/or management
- Habitat and biodiversity restoration
- Habitat and biodiversity conservation
- Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
- Employment/job creation
Principal problems in Functional Urban Area (FUA)
- Climate-Related Hazards
- Coastal hazards (e.g. erosion, flooding)
- Environmental Degradation
- Biodiversity loss
- Land use and Socio-economic change
- Limited economic opportunities and local livelihoods
Key priorities
Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation), Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration)
Focus
Coastal landscape management or protection, Coastal ecosystems restoration and maintenance (mangroves, dunes, saltplains, underwater meadows), Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Restoration of mangroves, Restoration and protection of ecosystems (including water ecosystems)
Project objectives
The primary goal of the project is to restore and protect local ecosystems, particularly mangrove habitats: "Through the planting of over 40,000 mangrove seedlings in the Ciénaga de la Virgen, the aim is not only to restore mangrove habitats that are vital for biodiversity and carbon capture but also to act as a natural barrier against flooding, thus protecting local communities" (ref 1). Other goals include:
- Wildlife protection: the creation of wildlife crossings as part of the commitment to protect local wildlife and the environment (ref 1, 6, 7)
- Biodiversity connectivity and mangrove re-forestation: plant over 40,000 mangrove seedlings along Ciénaga de la Virgen, a vital coastal wetland in Cartagena (ref 1,4,6).
- Improve safety against weather hazards: The mangrove reforestation was also intended to act as natural flood barriers, safeguarding nearby communities (refs 1,4,6).
- Job creation: support local communities through job creation and sustainable livelihoods (ref 1 and 3).
Implementation activities
- As a result of the project, eight environmental compensation plans were developed. These plans included the planting of 50,000 trees, the designation of 1,500 hectares of Banco Totumo Bijibana as a protected area, the restoration of the Las Playitas stream in the Isla Salamanca Park, as well as activities promoting ecotourism and contributing to biodiversity conservation. (ref 4).
- The project focused on restoring critical wetland areas by planting mangrove seedlings to protect biodiversity and provide natural flood barriers. 40,000 mangrove seedlings were planted across 34.13 hectares in the Ciénaga de la Virgen (ref 1,6)
- Seven wildlife crossings were constructed to allow safe passage for various species, including the Blue Crab (ref 1)
- The project actively involved local communities in various activities, providing job opportunities and promoting sustainable practices. The project generated over 9,000 jobs and established six bioclimatic nurseries. Local communities participated in conservation efforts such as planting, monitoring, and maintaining mangroves (ref 1, 6).
Climate-focused activities
Climate change adaptation:
- Restore mangroves, marshes, reefs and wetlands to dissipate the effects of storms and floodwaters
Climate change mitigation:
- Protect and restore coastal wetlands, mangroves and salt marshes, aiming at sequestering carbon dioxide and storing it in their soils
Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts
Yes
Specification of climate or environmentally vulnerable communities
Coastal communities
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity conservation:
- Protect and enhance urban habitats
- Preserve and strengthen existing habitats and ecosystems
- Reduce negative impacts and avoid the alteration/damage of ecosystem
- Protect species
- Undertake specific measures to protect species
- Undertake specific measures to protect native species
- Undertake specific measures to protect valued species
Biodiversity restoration:
- Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
- Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)
- Restore native species
- Restore valued species
- Restore ecological connectivity
Main beneficiaries
- Citizens or community groups
Governance
Management set-up
- Government-led
Type of initiating organisation
- National government
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
- Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
Through the Ministry of Transport and led by the National Infrastructure Agency (ANI), the national government delivers the Cartagena-Barranquilla road corridor with the support of Circunvalar de la Prosperidad (Coastal Concession-ISA). This project improves access to the two cities with the most urban and tourist development in the Caribbean region, strengthening the economy and competitiveness of the Bolívar and Atlántico departments (ref 2)
The actions are being carried out following a study conducted with the Omacha Foundation, which managed to identify the behavior of the species and determine priority actions for its preservation. (ref 1).
Regarding archaeological management, a significant contribution has been made to research with the delivery to the U. of Atlantico
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Unknown
Type of enablers
Governance innovations (such as public private partnerships), City network or regional partnerships focused on climate change, sustainability, GI or NBS in the city
Financing
Total cost
More than €4,000,000
Source(s) of funding
- Public national budget
- Public regional budget
Type of funding
- Earmarked public budget
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Climate change
- Enhanced carbon sequestration
- Expected enhanced carbon sequestration
- Enhanced protection against extreme weather events (e.g. storms, cyclones, tidal surges, coastal erosion)
- Expected enhanced protection against extreme weather events (e.g. storms, cyclones, tidal surges, coastal erosion)
- Green space and habitat
- Increased green space area
- Achieved increased green space area
- Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Achieved increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Increased ecological connectivity across regeneration sites and scales
- Expected increased ecological connectivity across regeneration sites and scales
- Reduced biodiversity loss
- Expected reduced biodiversity loss
- Enhanced support of pollination
- Expected enhanced support of pollination
Economic impacts
- Increase of green jobs (e.g. paid employment positions)
- Achieved increase of green jobs (e.g. paid employment positions)
- Generation of income from NBS
- Achieved generation of income from NBS
Socio-cultural impacts
- Social justice and cohesion
- Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
- Achieved increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
- Safety
- Improved community safety to climate-related hazards
- Expected improved community safety to climate-related hazards
Type of reported impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
Yes
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Potential risks of implementation and trade-offs
Unknown
References
1.
Agencia Nacional de Infraestructura (ANI (2023). Rutas con historias: Con siembra de mangle, pasos de fauna y viveros, el proyecto Cartagena – Barranquilla contribuye a la conservación ambiental. Accessed on August 27, 2024, [Source link];
2.
Agencia Nacional de Infraestructura (ANI) (2021). El Gobierno nacional entrega el proyecto Cartagena-Barranquilla y Circunvalar de la Prosperidad: su cuarta vía de 4G. Accessed on August 27, 2024, [Source link];
3.
Agencia Nacional de Infraestructura (ANI) (2021). Gracias al proyecto Cartagena-Barranquilla y Circunvalar de la Prosperidad, campesinos del Atlántico ven en el cultivo y cuidado de abejas una alternativa de ingresos. Accessed on August 27, 2024, [Source link];
4.
Ruta Costera isa (n.d.). Ruta Costera, empresa de ISA, pone en servicio el 100% del Proyecto 4G Cartagena – Barranquilla y Circunvalar de la Prosperidad. Accessed on August 27, 2024, [Source link];
5.
El Heraldo (2024). Autopistas del Caribe avanza en trámites ambientales para iniciar obras. Accessed on August 27, 2024, [Source link];
6.
Caracol Radio (2023). Proyecto Cartagena – Barranquilla contribuye a la conservación ambiental. Accessed on August 27, 2024, [Source link];
7.
El Heraldo (2023). ¿Son efectivos los pasos de fauna en la Circunvalar de la Prosperidad?. Accessed on August 27, 2024, [Source link];
8.
concesion costera cartagena barranquilla sas (2018). Boletin informativo proyecto cartagena barranquilla. Accessed on August 27, 2024, [Source link];
9.
Autoridad Nacional de Licencias Ambientales -ANLA- (2017). Respuesta a su Radicación ANLA 2017095500-1-000 del 08 de noviembre de 2017. Accessed on August 27, 2024, [Source link];
10.
CONCESION CARTAGENA – BARRANQUILLA Y CIRCUNVALAR DE LA PROSPERIDAD (2016). PRESENTACION INFORME DE SEGUIMIENTO AGOSTO 2016. Accessed on August 27, 2024, [Source link];
image of the road section next to the cienaga de la virgen
https://www.ani.gov.co/rutas-con-historias-con-siembra-de-mangle-pasos-de-fauna-y-viveros-el-proyecto-cartagena
picture of a fauna corridor
https://www.elheraldo.co/atlantico/pasos-faunas-en-la-segunda-circunvalar-medida-para-proteger-la-biodiversidad-de-la-cienaga
Information about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the Naturescapes project funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No 101084341.