Guía metodológica para la gestión del riesgo por Inundaciones en la zona urbana de Útica, Cundinamarca

Abstract

The importance of a methodological guide for flood risk management in the urban area of Útica, Cundinamarca, lay in the need to systematically address the recurring challenges that flooding has presented over the years. Due to its location at the intersection of the Quebrada Negra and the Río Negro, the risk and threat of flooding have been constant; Útica has faced significant flooding incidents in 1963, 1988, 1990, and 2011. These events highlighted the urgent need for a structured and coherent approach to mitigate the impact of future flooding and protect the population and its urban infrastructure. The development of the methodological guide consisted of a detailed process of identifying and evaluating elements that must be taken into account for flood risk management in urban areas. This analysis found that monitoring hydrological and climatic conditions alone is not sufficient for effective management; it is also necessary to conduct a comprehensive review of the environmental and socioeconomic factors that increase Útica's vulnerability to this risk. The guide was designed to provide a comprehensive and applicable framework, offering precise guidelines that enable local authorities and residents to implement effective preventive and response measures. With the aim of creating a clear and effective procedure to help prevent and address the risk of flooding in the urban area of Útica, this guide was developed to provide the municipality with a tool to facilitate the planning and implementation of preventive actions, as well as the optimization of resources in emergency situations. In conclusion, the methodological guide for flood risk management in Útica was designed to serve as a fundamental pillar for the integration of technical and local knowledge. It provides authorities and the community with a strategic resource for disaster risk reduction, promoting a culture of prevention and resilience by establishing a set of clear, evidence-based steps, thus ensuring greater response capacity and protection against the inevitable climatic contingencies to which the municipality of Útica is exposed.