Regulation and Protection of Urban Wetlands: A Comparative Analysis in Chile, Colombia, and Peru

Abstract

Latin American countries have a set of legal instruments and public policies that contribute to the protection of urban wetlands against the pressure of city expansion that threatens their extent and quality. With the aim of discussing the role of public policies and regulations in the protection of urban wetlands, the situation in Chile, Colombia, and Peru is analyzed in a comparative manner. These countries are examples of diverse regulations and wetland biodiversity in urban environments. Legal instruments for environmental protection and conservation, spatial planning, and urban planning relevant to the management of urban wetlands are analyzed. In addition, advances in regulation and protection of urban wetlands are evaluated and contrasted based on national-level indicators. The lack of effective protection measures is demonstrated. The three countries have adhered to the Ramsar Convention to protect their wetlands and have established Ramsar sites; however, their existence does not stop the pressures and threats to the wetlands. It is identified that Peru has a larger surface area of Ramsar sites and that Colombia has the most extensive Ramsar urban wetland. It is highlighted that Chile has a recent urban wetlands law, while in Colombia and Peru the category of urban wetland does not exist in legislation. Meanwhile, in the protected natural areas, urban wetlands practically have no presence. Among the main weaknesses are the disarticulation between sectors and planning scales; in addition to outdated planning instruments regarding current challenges such as climate change, the water crisis, and the loss of biodiversity.