2026 Reports

Water Management and Conservation of the Quebrada Ortega (Ortega Stream)

Martinez Varderi, Robert; Pico, Tannya; Enseñado, Elena Marie

This case study explores the community-led restoration of the Quebrada Ortega stream in Quito, Ecuador, as a nature-based solution to urban flooding and environmental degradation. Driven by a local housing cooperative, residents transformed a polluted stream into a multifunctional green space through collective action rooted in the traditional practice of minga. The project demonstrates how strong community engagement and participatory governance can successfully integrate social objectives, such as affordable housing, with ecological restoration. Despite its success, challenges remain, including limited biodiversity due to non-native vegetation and continued water pollution from upstream sources. The case highlights the need for scaling up such initiatives, supported by technical expertise and policy frameworks, to enhance urban climate resilience.