Colombia is preparing to host one of the most important international events in its history: COP16. Cali, the capital of Valle del Cauca, will be the host city for this conference, which, in this edition, will focus on biodiversity. Our country ranks number one in the world in bird, orchid, and butterfly diversity; second in amphibians, freshwater fish, reptiles, palms, and general plant diversity; and third in overall biodiversity globally.

This event is not only crucial for the region but for all the United Nations member countries that will gather in “The Branch of Heaven.” That’s why we want to share with you three key points to understand this event and be prepared to follow this global conversation.

What is the COP or “Conference of the Parties”?

COP16, or “Conference of the Parties,” is the primary global forum for discussing and negotiating the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. At this meeting, delegates from around the world will come together to advance the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, with the goal of protecting and preserving the ecosystems that sustain life on our planet.

What topics will be on the agenda?

In this edition of COP, the main topic will be the follow-up to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, with the aim of assessing the progress made by countries regarding the goals and objectives established at the previous conference, COP15, which took place in December 2022 in Montreal, Canada.

As the first COP dedicated to biodiversity since the adoption of this global framework, COP16 will review how countries have advanced in the implementation of their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and how these align with global goals. Additionally, resource mobilization will be addressed to ensure the effective execution of the framework.

How will the event be organized?

This event will be divided into two main areas, known as the Blue Zone and the Green Zone. The Blue Zone will be reserved for official negotiations and decision-making among the parties to the convention, while the Green Zone will be an open space for the public, where educational activities, exhibitions, and side events will be held to engage the community in biodiversity and sustainability topics.

For its edition in Colombia, COP16 will work under the theme of Peace with Nature, recognizing that the true fight of the 21st century is for life. This year, the goal is to transform our relationship with nature, as well as our production and consumption practices, so that collective actions promote life rather than destroy it.

In this context, Colombia has the opportunity not only to be the stage for these global conversations but also to showcase its own progress toward sustainable development. Projects like Serena del Mar, a city planned for the future, integrated with nature, and offering opportunities for all, exemplify how we can merge nature with urban growth.

Located in the northern part of Cartagena, Serena del Mar blends natural landscapes and green spaces with infrastructures designed to coexist harmoniously with their surroundings. This approach not only improves the quality of life for its residents but also reflects the global goals of COP16: finding ways to live and develop without compromising the ecosystems around us.

Serena del Mar’s vision, with its sustainable mobility initiatives, use of renewable energy, and resource reuse such as water, resonates with the discussions that will take place at COP16. These local efforts are an example of the actions the world needs to take to achieve true peace with nature.

References: 

• Biodiversidad de Colombia en cifras
• COP16 Paz con la naturaleza

The goal of a city well planned is to provide speed, efficiency, and comfort in all the daily activities of its inhabitants, while allowing for a coexistence between natural, urban, economic, and social elements. Although this trend has been growing in recent years in Colombia, there are still several challenges ahead.

In this blog, we will tell you about some of the most important characteristics of this type of city:

• Close to everything: One of the most emblematic examples is Serena del Mar, an urban development conceived from the “15-minute city” concept. This allows its residents to find supermarkets, schools, health centers, parks, cultural and recreational spaces, as well as workplaces, within short, easily walkable distances.

• Environmentally sustainable: These cities integrate renewable energies, are resource-efficient, and manage waste intelligently. In “The Dreamed City,” there are measures to mitigate the carbon footprint through its thermal district, an electric charging station, and the implementation of solar panels in places like the Serena del Mar Hospital. Additionally, sustainable transportation methods like walking or cycling are encouraged through more than 7 kilometers of sidewalks and bike paths.

• Higher quality of life for its residents: The aim is to create urban environments that meet diverse needs and promote overall well-being. Serena del Mar is designed to provide its inhabitants with peace of mind and efficiency in essential services, such as the Serena del Mar Hospital and the Universidad de los Andes, among others.

• Fostering a united community: The development of an environment in a city planned for the future contributes to the formation of stronger and more connected communities. Regular interaction between residents promotes a sense of belonging and cooperation. Additionally, local businesses and neighborhood markets become the heart of the community, fostering mutual support and the local economy. In Serena del Mar, Mi Comunidad is a non-profit entity that aims to ensure the sustainability of Serena del Mar over time, as well as guarantee its care, protection, and maintenance. It includes activities for residents to participate in and enjoy while connecting with each other.

• Access to green areas: This type of city must have areas that allow its inhabitants to enjoy outdoor recreational activities. Serena del Mar has successfully provided and guaranteed 2.1 square meters of green areas, such as gardens or tree-lined spaces, per resident so far.

Innovation, sustainability, and quality of life are some of the characteristics that make a city planned. Serena del Mar is an example of this, having been conceived on three pillars, including Planned for the future. Its inhabitants, visitors, and surrounding communities enjoy a superior quality of life that offers solutions of all kinds at their fingertips.

References:

• Serena del Mar, La Ciudad Soñada que responde al Desarrollo Sostenible

Living or spending time near bodies of water, whether rivers, canals, lakes, or the sea, can have a significant impact on people’s health and well-being. It’s likely for this reason that since the beginning of civilization, communities have settled near these natural spaces. Today, we present some benefits of living close to water:

Mental healthcare:

Some studies have shown that the sight and sound of moving water can induce a state of relaxation that reduces stress and anxiety. Additionally, it was found that people who live near water tend to report lower stress levels and a greater sense of psychological well-being compared to those who don’t.
The same research demonstrated that living near bodies of water can be associated with better mental health. People with access to aquatic spaces tend to experience fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Improved air quality:

Bodies of water act as natural air filters, helping to remove pollutants and improve the surrounding air quality. This is especially beneficial in urban environments where air pollution can be a problem. Breathing cleaner air can positively impact respiratory health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
In this regard, the sea has a double impact, as in addition to the previously mentioned benefits, the salt in the air, spread by waves, can reduce and even prevent respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis or pneumonia. This phenomenon has even been associated with the elimination of respiratory allergies.

Opportunities for physical activity:

Living near rivers, lakes, or the sea allows for numerous opportunities for physical activity, such as swimming, rowing, fishing, or simply taking a walk by the water. These activities not only promote an active lifestyle but can also improve cardiovascular health, strengthen muscles, and enhance coordination and balance.

Living near bodies of water offers a wide range of health benefits, from reducing stress and improving mood to promoting an active lifestyle. This is why, Serena del Mar, The Dreamed City, offers a variety of projects located near bodies of water. In areas such as the Gran Canal, Murallas, and Coral, you will find a variety of residential options with exclusive views of the sea and canals, incorporating functional landscaping to make your experience unique.

References:

• Los increíbles beneficios para la salud de vivir cerca del mar, según la ciencia
• Beneficios de tener una propiedad con orilla de río
• ¿Por qué vivir a la orilla de un río nos hace más felices? 

The Colombian Caribbean coast is a land rich in natural resources, unique landscapes, and magical places that would not be the same without the variety of plants and animals that inhabit them. In The Dreamed City, we are aware of the connection between human presence and the local nature, which is why in this blog, we will tell you more about our surrounding environment.

In the Colombian Caribbean, we have ecosystems that make our territory a special place, including mangroves and tropical dry forests, environments that host a diversity of animal species and plants.

Mangroves:

The protagonists of songs, inspiration for artists, and a beautiful companion to our coasts, mangroves are a key component of our ecosystem. As explained by the Ministry of Environment, “their importance lies in the fact that they protect a large number of organisms in their trunks, among their roots, or in the mud, such as bacteria and fungi, which help decompose organic materials and even transform toxic substances into sulfur, purifying the water that reaches the sea.” Additionally, mangroves serve as coastal stabilizers, controlling erosion and providing protection from waves and sea winds.

Fact:

Did you know that mangroves were the livelihood of many pre-Columbian coastal and inland communities in the Americas?

Tropical Dry Forest:

The silent companion of the Caribbean, though not as well-known or studied as many scholars acknowledge, it is a fundamental part of Cartagena’s landscape. According to the Ministry of Environment, “It is defined as a vegetative formation with a continuous forest cover, found between 0-1000 meters of altitude, with temperatures exceeding 24°C, making it typical of warm climate zones.” In the past, these forests covered a large area, but human intervention has reduced their presence. Today, they can be found in some places in Colombia, including the city of Cartagena, where the Serena del Mar project coexists with several of them.

Flora:

The mentioned ecosystems are home to plants such as: Manila palm, Caracolí, Caney, Guayacán de bola, Black mangrove, Zaragoza mangrove, Indioencuero, Ebony, Cedar cebollo, Bonga or witch’s ceiba, Beach grape, Uvito, Totumo, Campano, Soapberry, and many other species that coexist in harmony. A recommended plan to learn more about these plants is to visit the Cartagena Botanical Garden, where you can see many of the species mentioned and learn about their characteristics.

Fauna:

The variety of animals you can find is one of the reasons to enjoy outdoor photography. From arthropods like the Golden silk orb-weaver spider or the Silver garden orb-weaver spider to butterflies such as the Owl butterfly, the famous Yellow butterfly, the Great white butterfly, Orange-banded butterfly, and the Orange-tipped butterfly, small animals are a major attraction.

However, larger animals also inhabit the area. Birds are a particular highlight, as there is a wide variety of species to observe, including: White-faced whistling duck, Mangrove cuckoo, Great egret, Black-necked stilt, Smooth-billed ani, Fork-tailed flycatcher, American white ibis, Laughing gull, Brown pelican, Spotted sandpiper, and Caspian tern, among many others.

La Heroica has many places to explore, but it also holds treasures that deserve to be respected and appreciated. Plants and animals form a spectacular display, and from The Dreamed City, we invite you to learn more about the species of the area and enjoy the natural surroundings that our project’s ideal location offers.

References:

• Ministerio de Ambiente. Manglares
• Ministerio de Ambiente. Bosque Seco Tropical 
• Jardín Botánico de Cartagena. (2017). Guía de especies de flora y fauna de la Ciénaga de La Virgen

Thermal districts are a proposal aimed at providing sustainable climate control for spaces as large as neighborhoods or cities. These districts consist of thermal energy plants that supply chilled water or steam to urban spaces such as shopping centers, residential areas, or public buildings. One of the many advantages they offer is the way they are powered, as these plants can utilize various energy sources such as biomass, geothermal energy, solar power, or even a combination of different technologies, making it an environmentally friendly solution.

The operation of a thermal district involves a net of pipes that transport hot or cold water to connected buildings. In the case of heating, hot water circulates to provide warmth, while in cooling, cold water is used to cool spaces.

It is worth highlighting that this type of system offers energy efficiency by centralizing the production of heat or cold, allowing for better resource utilization and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, the benefits are not limited to environmental aspects, as having a centralized system means energy consumption does not depend on each individual user, which helps reduce overall energy use. Additionally, it is estimated that climate control through this system is 40% more efficient compared to independent equipment located in each building or space.

In Colombia, one of the cities embracing sustainable climate control is Cartagena, through Serena del Mar. In The Dreamed City, the Thermal District provides energy to the Serena del Mar Hospital, as well as to residential projects like Cavana, Altana, and Castelo, enabling a reduction in energy consumption by 8% to 10%, and fulfilling the goal of providing a high-quality experience for its residents and visitors.

If you want to learn more about our Thermal District, visit us in Northern Cartagena, at KM 8 Vía al Mar.

We look forward to seeing you!

References: 

• https://www.celsia.com/es/blog-celsia/que-es-un-distrito-termico-y-como-ayuda-a-la-sostenibilidad-en-construcciones/
• https://www.acrlatinoamerica.com/202007019379/articulos/aire-acondicionado-y-ventilacion/distritos-termicos-concepto-y-beneficios.html
• https://www.distritoenergetico.com/que-son-los-distritos-termicos-y-para-que-sirven/
• https://naturgas.com.co/distritos-termicos-una-apuesta-clave-para-combatir-el-cambio-climatico

Serena del Mar, The Dreamed City seeks, from its conception, a healthy integration between the natural landscapes that surround it and the real estate developments that make it up. The project has been developed by Novus Civitas and its allied construction companies through innovative construction techniques, such as biophilic architecture, which adapts building design to the natural environment in which they are built, making them part of the landscape. Additionally, throughout the development of Serena del Mar, measures have been incorporated to reduce pollution, such as the thermal district operated by Celsia and the construction of internal roads that promote sustainable transportation, as well as measures in solid waste management and rainwater treatment, among others.

On the other hand, various measures have been incorporated in The Dreamed City to contribute to reducing pollution. For example, several projects like the Serena del Mar Hospital and some residential complexes have access to the thermal district service, which helps optimize the production and distribution of thermal energy for cooling, heating, hot water, and electricity systems. This solution reduces the carbon footprint by up to 600 tons of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere each year, thanks to cleaner energy regeneration processes with a reduction in consumption of between 8% and 10%. In terms of services, several sustainable systems have been implemented to protect the environment, such as the reuse of water, where treated wastewater is used for irrigation of green areas. Additionally, the project has a storm drainage system that directs most rainwater to the bodies of water in the Grand Canal, an artificial lagoon strategically located to prevent flooding.

With the integration of these multiple architectural and construction innovations, Serena del Mar is an example of how an urban development can be sustainable and respectful of the environment through its adaptation to its surroundings, while offering its residents modern comforts and the implementation of technologies that make it The Dreamed City for living.

References

●     Qué es un Distrito térmico y cómo ayuda a la sostenibilidad en construcciones

●     Arquitectura biofílica para mejorar el bienestar de las personas