Recognizing the essential relationship between development and nature, Barranquilla aims to become Colombia's first biodivercity. Over the past 14 years, district administrations have committed to urban transformation through blue and green infrastructure projects, seeking new opportunities for economic, social, and urban development. The Ciénaga de Mallorquín Ecopark is one of the city's most emblematic projects due to its technical and engineering design, serving as a benchmark for infrastructure works.
Barranquilla is defined by water and possesses great growth potential. Having first connected to the Magdalena River via the Gran Malecón—designed by Puerta de Oro—the city is now reconnecting with the wetlands and the Caribbean Sea through the Ciénaga de Mallorquín. The ecopark is the spearhead of Barranquilla's vision as a biodivercity and is considered a unique engineering megaproject in the Caribbean due to its concrete-free construction. Furthermore, the investment extends beyond the ecopark itself, encompassing the restoration of Puerto Mocho Beach, the tourist train zone, and the sanitation of the water body and its wastewater discharges.
“The Comprehensive Recovery of the Ciénaga de Mallorquín is the most important environmental project in the Colombian Caribbean, which also encompasses social and economic development. Puerta de Oro - Empresa de Desarrollo Caribe, through the structuring and design of the project, contributes to the restoration of ecosystems, fosters urban development, and creates spaces for everyone to enjoy.”— Ricardo Vives, President of Puerta de Oro.
The project was designed with nature in mind, allowing people to enjoy leisure activities within the city while staying connected to, conserving, and protecting the environment. The proposal drives economic development for local communities by offering tourism and dining services, while also fostering social development to cultivate a society that understands the value of the environment.
The project is divided into four functional units designed as stilt structures. It features a construction system using wooden piles driven into the bed of the swamp, connected by structural ties to support the platforms for the pedestrian walkways.
- Functional Unit 1: Visitors will be able to walk over the wetland and enjoy the mangroves. It will include an elevated lookout for birdwatching, an area for water sports, tiered seating for cultural activities, and restaurants.
- Functional Unit 2: It contains a mangrove area and aquarium, rest plazas, a dock and natural pool, bike paths, boardwalks, and parking areas.
- Functional Unit 3: A biomuseum will be built to raise awareness about the condition of the wetland, its species, care, and conservation through playful and recreational activities that ensure an understanding of its dynamics. The goal is to foster a scientific spirit and promote the conservation of the aquatic ecosystem.
- Functional Unit 4: Its objective is to provide a public space for residents close to the water and prevent uncontrolled development along the wetland's shoreline. A circular platform over the wetland is used for awareness programs.
Puerta de Oro – Empresa de Desarrollo Caribe was in charge of the studies and designs, defining the materials and structures for construction. The organization also managed demand planning, project structuring, permitting, and licensing, as well as educational outreach and community engagement initiatives within the surrounding areas.
Design: Puerta de Oro – Empresa de Desarrollo Caribe
Area: 980 ha
Walkways: 5 km of pedestrian walkways
Year: 2022 (construction start)
Construction Progress: 15%
Photographs: Juan Manuel Maldonado. Puerta de Oro – Empresa de Desarrollo Caribe
Renders: Puerta de Oro – Empresa de Desarrollo Caribe
This article was written by Agustina Iñiguez. The translation is powered by AI.
