Poverty and environmental degradation in urban periphery: analysis ofteh La Ahuyama Canal

Abstract

This article analyzes the interrelation between the conditions of multidimensional poverty and
environmental deterioration in the neighborhoods surrounding Caño de La Ahuyama, in
Barranquilla, Colombia. Through an interdisciplinary approach that combines legal, economic and
spatial perspectives, the problems of water pollution and poverty are addressed in the
neighborhoods of La Luz, La Chinita and Rebolo, characterized by a Multidimensional Poverty
Index (MPI) higher than the urban average. From a legal perspective, the constitutional right to a
healthy environment is examined, highlighting the obligation of the State to guarantee it, as well
as the limitations in its effective implementation. Failures are identified in environmental sanitation
and recovery projects, evidencing the persistent contamination and vulnerabilities of the
population. In economic and spatial terms, the MPI analysis shows the concentration of poverty in
the areas most affected by pollution, exacerbating socio-spatial segregation in the city. The study
highlights the need for a comprehensive intervention that combines environmental, social and
urban actions. These include the water recovery of the pipe, the improvement of infrastructure and
basic services, and the promotion of active community participation in environmental management. Likewise, the importance of citizen and state co-responsibility in the protection of natural resources
is emphasized. The document concludes that the recovery of the Caño de La Ahuyama and the
overcoming of poverty conditions in its surroundings are essential to promote sustainable and
equitable urban development, contributing to the well-being of present and future generations.