Caracterización de conflictos territoriales asociados al recurso hídrico en cuencas urbanas mediante enfoque socioambiental: caso de estudio quebrada la Iguaná en el distrito de Medellín – Colombia

Abstract

In the District of Medellín, the historical occupation of hillsides has generated profound socio-environmental conflicts around water bodies. This research aims to characterize the territorial conflicts associated with water resources in the urban micro-watershed of the La Iguaná stream (communes 7 and 13), using a hydrosocial and socio-spatial justice approach. To this end, a mixed-methods methodology was implemented, triangulating the spatial analysis of geological risk models and water quality indicators (physical-spatial dimension) with semi-structured surveys applied to community leaders and institutional actors (socio-perceptive dimension). The results show that the hydrosocial conflict in La Iguaná is not exclusively due to the biophysical deterioration of the channel or natural threats, but is exacerbated by a deep institutional disconnection. Guiding instruments such as the Territorial Planning Scheme (POT), POMCA, and PORH prove to be rigid and ineffective in the face of the realities of self-built popular habitats, acting in practice as mechanisms of territorial exclusion that promote eviction without considering the strong territorial roots of the communities. It is concluded that overcoming these tensions requires abandoning the punitive restriction approach to transition towards a local water governance paradigm. Consequently, territorial planning strategies are formulated aimed at making water setbacks more flexible, in situ relocation through Comprehensive Neighborhood Improvement (MIB), the implementation of decentralized sanitation, and the strengthening of community micro-governance as a shield against gentrification processes derived from urban macro-projects.