Abstract

BOTIA FLECHAS, Clara Judyth  and  PRECIADO BELTRAN, Jair. Community resilience: water and territory defense in the Sumapaz river basin, Colombia. Perspectiva Geográfica [online]. 2019, vol.24, n.1, pp.13-34. ISSN 0123-3769.  https://doi.org/10.19053/01233769.8425.

The aim of this article is to analyze community resilience of local and community actors in the Sumapaz river basin from water and territory defense processes that took place between 2012-2017 due to the implementation of mining, oil and gas exploration, and hydroelectric power generation projects. The method employed involves a documentary review of the historical context and recent events nationally and locally, as well as semi-structured interviews with key actors. To examine community resilience, categories chosen include cultural identity, collective self-esteem, social cohesion, and participatory democracy practices. Research shows that, in the Sumapaz river basin, community resilience translates into the strengthening of local and community actors who share their water concerns and take hold of their territorial realities in order to raise awareness of their being, doing and transforming the territory.

Keywords : Water; Sumapaz river basin; community resilience; territory.

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