Quenching Thirst

Abstract

As the capital of Peru and one of the largest metropolises in South America, Lima's rapid development has attracted worldwide attention. In recent years, the water crisis has become a pressing problem as people flock to Lima with a thirst for opportunity.

Lima is located in a coastal desert area on the Pacific coast, backed by the Andes Mountains, a unique natural condition that has resulted in the formation of this 'city without rain'. The 1,2 million residents of the city obtain their daily water supply from water trucks and water tanks. However, seasonal flooding accompanies the dearth of water. The abundance of water in the Andes does not appear to alleviate Lima's water crisis; rather, the three principal rivers that originate in the Andes, Chillón, Rímac and Lurín, are always accompanied by flooding as summer approaches. At the same time, along with the unequal distribution of water resources and water pollution, residents in large cities have developed a very negative attitude towards water.

In contrast, Huamantanga, located in the Andean highlands, still relies on natural groundwater recharge systems and traditional man-made water systems. However, these systems have suffered damage due to climate change and mismanagement. At the same time, for the town's residents, a single mode of production has caused population loss and the devaluation of traditional water-related practices.

The graduation project proposes landscape interventions as a means of water system restoration. From the Andean highlands to the lower Chillón River, Huamantanga and Lima have the opportunity to be connected through the restoration of the water system, thus helping to alleviate Lima's water crisis. The different communities through which the water system flows are also viewed as stakeholders in sustainable water management, and the project will provide multiple environmental, social, and spiritual improvements to their water-related lives.

The design framework focuses on the restoration of water systems at different scales, utilizing water as a central element. Through an in-depth study of spatial and landscape identity, the project highlights the role of the landscape in facilitating water system restoration and the consequent positive changes in people's water-related practices. The analysis zooms in on two specific sites: Huamantanga town and the floodplain located in the lower Chillón River, offering a concrete understanding of how the landscape can contribute to water system restoration and shape people's water-related lives.