Urban stream restoration to support Cuenca's communities

• City: Cuenca is a UNESCO-listed city renowned for its historic charm and natural beauty. However, rapid urbanization has led to the degradation of its four major rivers and 183 quebradas, endangering biodiversity, water quality, and ecosystem stability. Immediate conservation efforts are necessary to restore these vital water corridors.

The city of Cuenca is implementing an ambitious project to design and execute Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) for restoring and rehabilitating its urban and peri-urban streams (quebradas). The initiative seeks to recover ecosystem services, enhance biodiversity, and improve water quality while mitigating climate change impacts, strengthening urban resilience, and supporting vulnerable communities.

The Project is Part of

• Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM)

The Project is Aligned With

• Cuenca’s Land Use and Development Plan (PDOT)
• Ecuador’s National Adaptation Plan (PNA)
• Ecuador’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC)
• Municipal regulations on environmental protection and land-use management

Supported By

• Cuenca’s Decentralized Autonomous Government
• ETAPA EP (Municipal Water and Sanitation Company)
• International financial institutions (CAF, IDB, KOIKA, German Cooperation)

TAP Services Provided

• Public financing connections: Support in securing funding from international climate finance institutions.
• Technical Assistance (TA) connections: Assistance for feasibility studies and technical validation.
• Project visibility: Showcasing Cuenca’s efforts at international events and through case studies.

The implementation of this project involves updating and assessing the status of Cuenca’s streams to identify priority areas for intervention. The city is designing NbS tailored to the specific needs of each stream, incorporating nature-based techniques to restore ecological functions and mitigate flood risks. Additionally, efforts are being made to develop sanitation infrastructure to improve water management, particularly in vulnerable communities. Throughout the process, participatory planning ensures local communities are engaged in decision-making, fostering long-term stewardship of the restored urban waterways.

- Local Government & Municipal Agencies: ETAPA EP, Cuenca Municipality

- International Financial Institutions: CAF, IDB, KOIKA, German Cooperation

- Local Communities & NGOs: Community-led conservation efforts and participatory planning

- Community workshops for participatory planning

- Public outreach through digital and traditional media

- Educational initiatives in local schools on urban ecology

- Secured funding: $300,000 from local and national budgets

- Seeking additional: $400,000 from international climate finance institutions

- Potential funding sources: Green Climate Fund, Adaptation Fund, ICLEI support

Several Co-Benefits are envisioned:

- Climate Benefits

• Adaptation to extreme weather events by restoring hydrological regulation services
• Reduction of flood and landslide risks through improved soil stability and vegetation restoration

- Resilience Benefits

• Strengthening disaster risk management and protecting public infrastructure, including roads and Cuenca’s tram system
• Improved biodiversity and ecological connectivity between quebradas and major rivers

- Social Benefits

• Public engagement through participatory design and implementation
• Creation of safer public spaces, reducing crime risks for vulnerable groups, especially women
• Promotion of green urban spaces for recreation and community well-being

- Economic Benefits

• Job creation in ecosystem restoration and sanitation infrastructure
• Strengthened supply chains by protecting transportation routes from climate-related disruption.

These are the SDGs the project incorporates:

• SDG 3: Improved health and well-being through better environmental conditions.
• SDG 6: Enhanced water quality and sanitation services in underserved areas.
• SDG 11: Creation of sustainable and resilient urban spaces.
• SDG 13: Climate adaptation through flood risk reduction and ecosystem restoration.
• SDG 15: Conservation and restoration of freshwater ecosystems.
• SDG 17: Strengthening partnerships to mobilize financial resources for climate resilience.

- Financial constraints in fully implementing NbS solutions

- Need for stronger legal frameworks to protect restored streams

- Community engagement challenges in high-risk areas with informal settlements

TAP team