WATER-SENSITIVE CITIES
Sustainable Urban Drainage Guide
We developed this guide, which promotes sustainable stormwater management and prioritizes the use of blue-green infrastructure to minimize the impact of urbanization on the water cycle. The case study demonstrates how, through the design of multifunctional solutions, it is possible to contribute to climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and public space provision.
Download the three volumes of the guide on the project website , where you'll find additional resources, such as a free online course and audiovisual capsules. This project was developed in collaboration with Legado Chile Foundation and the Catholic University of Chile, with support from Corfo and SERVIU Los Lagos.
GREEN-BLUE CORRIDOR
Sensory tour through urban nature
This project seeks to consolidate a water-sensitive corridor with predominantly native vegetation, connecting parks and remnants of urban nature in Puerto Varas. The first two sections of this corridor were designed and implemented in 2024 in collaboration with the Municipality of Puerto Varas, Parque Estación, TeAbrazo and CAC Puerto Varas. The Corridor has allowed the community to become closer to our natural and cultural heritage, helping us to advance toward a more resilient city, with more space for biodiversity and a better quality of life for people. We have already planted more than 3,500 plants of 85 different species along more than 1,500 meters of the corridor.
We invite you to learn more about the Puerto Varas Green Corridor in this document .
QUEBRADA PARQUE
UNESCO-IHP Ecohydrology Demonstration Site
Quebrada Parque seeks to redefine urban ravines, highlighting their functional role and contribution to public spaces. Our pilot case is Quebrada Honda, in Puerto Varas, recognized in 2022 as the first UNESCO-IHP ecohydrology demonstration site in Chile.
Part of our learning within this project are gathered in this Guide por the management of urban ravines (Spanish only).
KOHABITANTS
Guía para explorar territorios anfibios
With the expansion of cities, water and natural spaces have become problems to be solved rather than values to be safeguarded, losing the connection with these identity elements, the foundations of culture and life. KoHabitantes explores water culture from the Mapuche worldview, with its knowledge and traditions, reminding us that we are part of a greater ecosystem that deserves respect and care.
This project was co-financed by the National Heritage Service and included the generous participation of the Mapuche-Huilliche associations Teuquil Mapu, from Llanquihue, and Newen Pangui, from Puerto Varas.
ÁRBOLES PATRIMONIALES
Roots of the Llanquihue Lake Basin
Heritage Trees: Roots of the Lake Llanquihue Basin is a participatory identification and registration project for significant trees in the urban centers of Lake Llanquihue—Puerto Octay, Frutillar, Llanquihue, and Puerto Varas—to contribute to local identity and enhance the value of tree heritage.
The catalog collects data, anecdotes and stories about various trees that the communities themselves have identified and that are part of the basin's biocultural heritage. This project was co-financed by the National Heritage Service and enjoyed the support and participation of various organizations and individuals.
URBAN WETLANDS
Interactive Platform
Wetlands are permanent or seasonal water bodies of great natural and cultural importance. Understanding them is the first big step towards their conservation.
Through this social innovation project, co-funded by Corfo, we developed an interactive platform for collaborative mapping of wetlands and urban nature, as a tool that seeks to connect citizens with these ecosystems.
Join our community of mappers for more sustainable cities!