Tunjuelo River

Designed by Mónica Páez Pérez and María José Castillo Ortega. Tangrama, 2014.

The Tunjuelo River is an important tributary of the Bogotá River, descending through southernmost city areas, such as Usme, and an essential river, though highly polluted, reflecting urban challenges - a potential resource for greenery and at the same time a target of waste - which urgently calls for integrated solutions in pollution control and urban integration. It also originates in the Sumapaz Páramo south of Bogota and is one of the most important water sources for that city. However, the ill-managed growth of the city has endangered both the river and the community and thus causes landslides, flooding, and pollution. It is polluted, with high rates of bad odor and water quality problems due to the unregulated effluents stemming from it, hence being a major focus for environmental efforts in Bogotá.