Barranquilla, a Generation Restoration role model city, has proven itself to be a leader in freshwater ecosystem restoration, including rehabilitating a major freshwater lagoon. This case study was compiled based on information provided by Barranquilla about the city’s restoration initiatives.

About the city

Located on Colombia’s Caribbean coast at the mouth of the Magdalena River, Barranquilla is known as the "Golden Gate of Colombia," connecting Colombia with the world. With over 1.2 million residents, Barranquilla has a tropical savannah climate, with high temperatures year-round and distinct wet and dry seasons. It is a key logistics and export hub with emerging tech and service industries, and has become a prime destination for event and business tourism. Barranquilla is known for its rich cultural heritage, and its annual Carnival is a designated UNESCO World Heritage event.

Local challenges

Barranquilla’s location within the Caribbean basin endows the city with valuable ecosystems such as mangroves, wetlands, and tropical dry forests, all of which are essential for climate change adaptation. At the same time, Barranquilla has experienced rapid urbanization and a historical presence of informal settlements in vulnerable areas, which places additional pressure on these ecosystems and on the city’s capacity to respond to climate-related threats, including flooding, hurricanes, tropical cyclones, and rising temperatures. In parallel, Barranquilla faces challenges associated with pollution from multiple sources, which can undermine the effectiveness and resilience of its ecosystems and pose risks to human health and territorial development.

How the city leads in restoration

In recent decades, Barranquilla has implemented various projects to improve urban conditions across environmental, social, and economic dimensions, including poverty reduction efforts, tree planting, ecologically-centered urban development programs, the development of clean energy projects, and a recovery master plan for the Mallorquín Swamp mangrove ecosystem. Together, these efforts position Barranquilla as an example of how cities can integrate nature-based solutions into their development strategies to pursue sustainable and resilient growth.

Barranquilla has adopted a comprehensive approach to establish itself as a sustainable and resilient city, aligning its strategies with global commitments to sustainable development and climate action. Through a series of transformative projects, the city is addressing key environmental challenges while promoting equity and improving quality of life for its residents.

One of the central axes of sustainability in Barranquilla is the restoration of its water bodies and strategic ecosystems to recover their ecological functionality, enhance climate resilience, and generate sustainable economic and tourism opportunities. This includes rehabilitation work in Mallorquín Swamp and Puerto Mocho Urban Beach, both of which are important for biodiversity and climate regulation in Barranquilla through protection against storm surges and sea-level rise. Restoration of the swamp included the removal of more than 180,000 m³ of sediment, the planting of 250,000 trees (mostly mangroves), and the creation of over 200,000 square meters of public space to promote sustainable tourism. The project directly benefits over 20,000 people who live directly in or adjacent to the lagoon, and indirectly benefits the greater urban population who benefit from the biodiversity and climate resilience of the restored ecosystems.

Barranquilla has also undertaken an ambitious restoration of its urban canal network to reduce flooding, revive ecosystems, and improve the city’s microclimate. It has advanced the recovery of more than 16 kilometers of water channels by removing sediment and waste to improve drainage capacity, decreasing flood risk among nearby communities. Native mangroves and other vegetation are being replanted along the canal banks, creating green buffers that enhance biodiversity and provide shade. These vegetated corridors and open water surfaces also contribute to urban cooling by mitigating the heat island effect.

Barranquilla has embraced green infrastructure as a key strategy for urban sustainability, promoting urban forest conservation, expanding green areas, and fostering urban agriculture. Through the Siembra Barranquilla program, the city has planted more than 1.2 million trees, increasing vegetation cover by 15% and reducing the urban heat island effect. Initiatives such as Todos al Parque have rehabilitated more than 250 public spaces, transforming them into accessible green areas that promote citizen wellbeing and urban biodiversity. One of the most emblematic projects in this area is the Gran Malecón del Río. This five-kilometer project has reconnected citizens with the Magdalena River, creating new recreational, tourism, and sustainable mobility spaces while fostering appreciation of river ecosystems among residents and visitors. Barranquilla has also promoted urban agriculture in vulnerable communities, enhancing food security and environmental education through public and private urban gardens.

These achievements, together with Barranquilla’s pilot project advancing ecosystem restoration in the León Creek through the Generation Restoration project, position Barranquilla as a regional leader in urban ecosystem restoration.

Highlight impact metrics

  • Over 180,000 m³ of sediment removed from the freshwater lagoon; 250,000 trees planted, mostly mangroves; more than 200,000 m² of public space created; over 20,000 people directly benefiting from lagoon restoration
  • More than 16 km of urban water channels restored
  • 1.2 million trees planted citywide; 15% increase in vegetation cover
  • More than 250 public spaces rehabilitated
  • 5 km riverfront restored (Gran Malecón del Río)
  • Over 10 MW of solar energy installed in public buildings
  • 1,700+ tons of organic waste processed daily at the biogas plant; 4.1 MW of power generated from biogas; approximately 35 million kWh generated annually
  • 150,000 tons of CO₂ emissions avoided annually
  • Energy consumption reduced by 30% in 50+ public buildings
  • 15 MW solar farm under construction for public lighting
  • 2,500+ waste pickers formalized; 30+ illegal dumping sites restored
  • 40% of households adopting waste separation practices

Role Model City

City Map

Ecosystem Types

Freshwaters, Oceans and coasts and Urban areas

Climate, Biodiversity, and Pollution Risks Addressed

  • Extreme temperatures
  • Storms (cyclones, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc)
  • Sea-level rise
  • Extreme precipitation / flooding
  • Habitat destruction
  • Species loss / extinction
  • Ecosystem degradation
  • Water pollution
  • Waste mismanagement

Restoration Techniques Applied

  • Canal restoration
  • Dredging
  • Ecological connectivity
  • Mangrove restoration
  • Native species
  • Parks & green spaces
  • Pollution control
  • Riverbank restoration
  • Shoreline restoration
  • Tree planting
  • Urban agriculture
  • Wetland restoration

Beyond restoration

In addition to its pioneering work on freshwater ecosystem restoration, Barranquilla is also a sustainability leader that has integrated nature conservation, reforestation, urban agriculture, decarbonization, and renewable energy projects. Barranquilla’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions is reflected in the promotion of renewable energy and sustainable mobility solutions. The city has implemented over 10 MW of solar energy generation in public buildings. Its biogas plant located at the Los Pocitos sanitary landfill processes more than 1,700 tons of organic waste daily, and converts greenhouse gases that were previously released into the atmosphere into 4.1 megawatts of power. This transformation generates approximately 35 million kilowatt-hours per year, avoiding the emission of 150,000 tons of CO₂ annually. Energy optimization strategies have been implemented in more than 50 public buildings, reducing electricity consumption by 30%. Additionally, Barranquilla has launched a major initiative to power its public lighting system with solar energy, and is currently constructing a 15 MW solar farm to sustainably supply this system.

Barranquilla has adopted a comprehensive waste management model based on the circular economy, including the formalization of waste pickers, environmental education, and the recovery of public spaces. More than 2,500 waste pickers have been formalized, receiving training and improved working conditions, while over 30 former illegal dumping sites have been restored and converted into urban gardens and recreational spaces. Innovative solutions are being implemented for solid waste management to maximize material recovery and minimize landfill disposal. Thanks to awareness campaigns, 40% of households in Barranquilla have adopted waste separation practices.

Barranquilla is moving forward with a comprehensive sustainability vision, promoting innovative solutions that enhance its climate resilience and strengthen its leadership in the region. Through the restoration of strategic ecosystems, the development of green infrastructure, decarbonization, and efficient waste management, the city demonstrates that it is possible to combine urban growth with environmental protection and improved quality of life for its residents. 

What other cities can learn

Barranquilla has defined and continues to consolidate an urban development model that places people at its core, balancing economic growth with the protection of its strategic ecosystems. Projects such as the pilot initiative contributing to the restoration of the León Stream reflect our understanding, as a city and territory, that environmental and social sustainability are cross-cutting pillars of our governance. Institutional efforts have been primarily focused on the comprehensive protection of water systems—including urban streams, the Magdalena River, the Mallorquín Swamp, and the Caribbean Sea—thus strengthening a vision in which progress is built alongside those who inhabit the territory, in harmony with the natural environment. We are grateful for UNEP’s support and partnership in advancing this shared commitment.

—Ana Maria Aljure, Barranquilla City Manager