Los ‘ekomuros’ del barrio más vulnerable de Bogotá

A system to collect rainwater, built with Pet soda bottles (polyethylene terephthalate), makes its way into Cazucá, one of the poorest and most violent south of Bogotá (Colombia) areas.

Diario El Espectador

The Ekomuros H2O + have already been installed in 10 schools in the area and several homes. They are one of the 100 global initiatives chosen in December 2014 by UN-Habitat and the municipality of Dubai as best ways to change the living conditions of the population.

Diario El Espectador

According to engineer Ricardo Alba, who designed and implemented the project, Ekomuros serve a dual purpose. On one hand, they allow reuse of PET packaging, preventing them from becoming litter, and they offer a choice of efficient rainwater storage.

Ekomuros/Ricardo Alba

In Cazucá, where more than 17,000 people displaced by violence live, the PET containers are collected by volunteers through cooperative environmental campaigns in the schools and in homes. Each container must have a capacity of 2.5 to 3 liters.

Ekomuros/Ricardo Alba

Students or families use a steel die system to drill the caps which subsequently, by thermal fusion, are used to bond the containers by its thread.

Ekomuros/Ricardo Alba

The next step is to unite the containers by its bottom. To achieve a perfect joint, they must be are drilled and united with a short PVC pipe is applied with a rubber seal.

Ekomuros/Ricardo Alba

The containers are interconnected to form towers of six units. Each tower is attached to a PVC base to complete a nine-towers module united with plastic ties. The Ekomuro system is completed with a support structure (dry or Drywall wall).

Ekomuros/Ricardo Alba

As a last step, students and teachers choose a concept related to the care of water and paint Ekomuros like that.

Ekomuros/Ricardo Alba

"This initiative can generate a change of attitude on the culture of water conservation at local, regional and now global level," says its promoter Ricardo Alba.

Ekomuros/Ricardo Alba

The strategy of Ekomuros joins the one of Green Roofs which, in the same locality, teaches families to grow vegetables and herbs on the roofs of their houses.

Pablo Correa

Por: Pablo Correa

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<div class="article-wrap">
<div id="article-introduction">
<h1>Los ‘ekomuros’ del barrio más vulnerable de Bogotá</h1>
<h4>By: Pablo Correa</h4>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="article-img-gallery" id="image-gallery"><div class="owl-carousel"><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/america-latina/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/foto_1-wpcf_995x567.jpg' alt='A system to collect rainwater, built with Pet soda bottles (polyethylene terephthalate), makes its way into Cazucá, one of the poorest and most violent south of Bogotá (Colombia) areas.
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 995px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 995/567;'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/america-latina/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/foto_1-wpcf_995x567.jpg' alt='A system to collect rainwater, built with Pet soda bottles (polyethylene terephthalate), makes its way into Cazucá, one of the poorest and most violent south of Bogotá (Colombia) areas.
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 995px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 995/567;'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/america-latina/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/foto_1-wpcf_995x567.jpg' alt='A system to collect rainwater, built with Pet soda bottles (polyethylene terephthalate), makes its way into Cazucá, one of the poorest and most violent south of Bogotá (Colombia) areas.
'></noscript></noscript><p>A system to collect rainwater, built with Pet soda bottles (polyethylene terephthalate), makes its way into Cazucá, one of the poorest and most violent south of Bogotá (Colombia) areas.</p>
<p><em>Diario El Espectador</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/america-latina/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/foto_2-wpcf_995x567.jpg' alt='The Ekomuros H2O + have already been installed in 10 schools in the area and several homes. They are one of the 100 global initiatives chosen in December 2014 by UN-Habitat and the municipality of Dubai as best ways to change the living conditions of the population.
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 995px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 995/567;'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/america-latina/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/foto_2-wpcf_995x567.jpg' alt='The Ekomuros H2O + have already been installed in 10 schools in the area and several homes. They are one of the 100 global initiatives chosen in December 2014 by UN-Habitat and the municipality of Dubai as best ways to change the living conditions of the population.
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 995px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 995/567;'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/america-latina/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/foto_2-wpcf_995x567.jpg' alt='The Ekomuros H2O + have already been installed in 10 schools in the area and several homes. They are one of the 100 global initiatives chosen in December 2014 by UN-Habitat and the municipality of Dubai as best ways to change the living conditions of the population.
'></noscript></noscript><p>The Ekomuros H2O + have already been installed in 10 schools in the area and several homes. They are one of the 100 global initiatives chosen in December 2014 by UN-Habitat and the municipality of Dubai as best ways to change the living conditions of the population.</p>
<p><em>Diario El Espectador</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/america-latina/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/foto_3-wpcf_995x567.jpg' alt='According to engineer Ricardo Alba, who designed and implemented the project, Ekomuros serve a dual purpose. On one hand, they allow reuse of PET packaging, preventing them from becoming litter, and they offer a choice of efficient rainwater storage.
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 995px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 995/567;'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/america-latina/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/foto_3-wpcf_995x567.jpg' alt='According to engineer Ricardo Alba, who designed and implemented the project, Ekomuros serve a dual purpose. On one hand, they allow reuse of PET packaging, preventing them from becoming litter, and they offer a choice of efficient rainwater storage.
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 995px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 995/567;'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/america-latina/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/foto_3-wpcf_995x567.jpg' alt='According to engineer Ricardo Alba, who designed and implemented the project, Ekomuros serve a dual purpose. On one hand, they allow reuse of PET packaging, preventing them from becoming litter, and they offer a choice of efficient rainwater storage.
'></noscript></noscript><p>According to engineer Ricardo Alba, who designed and implemented the project, Ekomuros serve a dual purpose. On one hand, they allow reuse of PET packaging, preventing them from becoming litter, and they offer a choice of efficient rainwater storage.</p>
<p><em>Ekomuros/Ricardo Alba</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/america-latina/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/foto_4-wpcf_995x567.jpg' alt='In Cazucá, where more than 17,000 people displaced by violence live, the PET containers are collected by volunteers through cooperative environmental campaigns in the schools and in homes. Each container must have a capacity of 2.5 to 3 liters.
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 995px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 995/567;'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/america-latina/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/foto_4-wpcf_995x567.jpg' alt='In Cazucá, where more than 17,000 people displaced by violence live, the PET containers are collected by volunteers through cooperative environmental campaigns in the schools and in homes. Each container must have a capacity of 2.5 to 3 liters.
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 995px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 995/567;'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/america-latina/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/foto_4-wpcf_995x567.jpg' alt='In Cazucá, where more than 17,000 people displaced by violence live, the PET containers are collected by volunteers through cooperative environmental campaigns in the schools and in homes. Each container must have a capacity of 2.5 to 3 liters.
'></noscript></noscript><p>In Cazucá, where more than 17,000 people displaced by violence live, the PET containers are collected by volunteers through cooperative environmental campaigns in the schools and in homes. Each container must have a capacity of 2.5 to 3 liters.</p>
<p><em>Ekomuros/Ricardo Alba</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/america-latina/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/foto_5-756x567.jpg' alt='Students or families use a steel die system to drill the caps which subsequently, by thermal fusion, are used to bond the containers by its thread.
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 756px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 756/567;'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/america-latina/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/foto_5-756x567.jpg' alt='Students or families use a steel die system to drill the caps which subsequently, by thermal fusion, are used to bond the containers by its thread.
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 756px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 756/567;'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/america-latina/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/foto_5-756x567.jpg' alt='Students or families use a steel die system to drill the caps which subsequently, by thermal fusion, are used to bond the containers by its thread.
'></noscript></noscript><p>Students or families use a steel die system to drill the caps which subsequently, by thermal fusion, are used to bond the containers by its thread.</p>
<p><em>Ekomuros/Ricardo Alba</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/america-latina/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/foto_6-wpcf_995x567.jpg' alt='The next step is to unite the containers by its bottom. To achieve a perfect joint, they must be are drilled and united with a short  PVC pipe is applied with a rubber seal.
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 995px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 995/567;'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/america-latina/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/foto_6-wpcf_995x567.jpg' alt='The next step is to unite the containers by its bottom. To achieve a perfect joint, they must be are drilled and united with a short  PVC pipe is applied with a rubber seal.
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 995px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 995/567;'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/america-latina/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/foto_6-wpcf_995x567.jpg' alt='The next step is to unite the containers by its bottom. To achieve a perfect joint, they must be are drilled and united with a short  PVC pipe is applied with a rubber seal.
'></noscript></noscript><p>The next step is to unite the containers by its bottom. To achieve a perfect joint, they must be are drilled and united with a short  PVC pipe is applied with a rubber seal.</p>
<p><em>Ekomuros/Ricardo Alba</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/america-latina/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/foto_7-425x567.jpg' alt='The containers are interconnected to form towers of six units. Each tower is attached to a PVC base to complete a nine-towers module united with plastic ties. The Ekomuro system is completed with a support structure (dry or Drywall wall).
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 425px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 425/567;'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/america-latina/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/foto_7-425x567.jpg' alt='The containers are interconnected to form towers of six units. Each tower is attached to a PVC base to complete a nine-towers module united with plastic ties. The Ekomuro system is completed with a support structure (dry or Drywall wall).
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 425px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 425/567;'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/america-latina/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/foto_7-425x567.jpg' alt='The containers are interconnected to form towers of six units. Each tower is attached to a PVC base to complete a nine-towers module united with plastic ties. The Ekomuro system is completed with a support structure (dry or Drywall wall).
'></noscript></noscript><p>The containers are interconnected to form towers of six units. Each tower is attached to a PVC base to complete a nine-towers module united with plastic ties. The Ekomuro system is completed with a support structure (dry or Drywall wall).</p>
<p><em>Ekomuros/Ricardo Alba</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/america-latina/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/foto_8-wpcf_995x567.jpg' alt='As a last step, students and teachers choose a concept related to the care of water and paint Ekomuros like that.
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 995px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 995/567;'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/america-latina/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/foto_8-wpcf_995x567.jpg' alt='As a last step, students and teachers choose a concept related to the care of water and paint Ekomuros like that.
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 995px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 995/567;'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/america-latina/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/foto_8-wpcf_995x567.jpg' alt='As a last step, students and teachers choose a concept related to the care of water and paint Ekomuros like that.
'></noscript></noscript><p>As a last step, students and teachers choose a concept related to the care of water and paint Ekomuros like that.</p>
<p><em>Ekomuros/Ricardo Alba</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/america-latina/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/foto_9-wpcf_995x567.jpg' alt='"This initiative can generate a change of attitude on the culture of water conservation at local, regional and now global level," says its promoter Ricardo Alba.
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 995px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 995/567;'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/america-latina/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/foto_9-wpcf_995x567.jpg' alt='"This initiative can generate a change of attitude on the culture of water conservation at local, regional and now global level," says its promoter Ricardo Alba.
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 995px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 995/567;'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/america-latina/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/foto_9-wpcf_995x567.jpg' alt='"This initiative can generate a change of attitude on the culture of water conservation at local, regional and now global level," says its promoter Ricardo Alba.
'></noscript></noscript><p>"This initiative can generate a change of attitude on the culture of water conservation at local, regional and now global level," says its promoter Ricardo Alba.</p>
<p><em>Ekomuros/Ricardo Alba</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/america-latina/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/foto_10-756x567.jpg' alt='The strategy of Ekomuros joins the one of Green Roofs which, in the same locality, teaches families to grow vegetables and herbs on the roofs of their houses.
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 756px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 756/567;'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/america-latina/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/foto_10-756x567.jpg' alt='The strategy of Ekomuros joins the one of Green Roofs which, in the same locality, teaches families to grow vegetables and herbs on the roofs of their houses.
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 756px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 756/567;'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/america-latina/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/08/foto_10-756x567.jpg' alt='The strategy of Ekomuros joins the one of Green Roofs which, in the same locality, teaches families to grow vegetables and herbs on the roofs of their houses.
'></noscript></noscript><p>The strategy of Ekomuros joins the one of Green Roofs which, in the same locality, teaches families to grow vegetables and herbs on the roofs of their houses.</p>
<p><em>Pablo Correa </em></p></div></div></div>
<div id="article-body">
<p>Muros construidos con envases de bebidas gaseosas se están convirtiendo en una alternativa ecológica para recolectar agua de lluvia en Cazucá, uno de los barrios más pobres y vulnerables de Bogotá, Colombia.<br />
 <br />
El proyecto Ekomuro H20, liderado por el ingeniero Ricardo Alba, fue elegido por un comité técnico de ONU Hábitat como una de las 100 mejores prácticas del mundo para mejorar las condiciones de vida de la población.<br />
 <br />
El propósito de esta iniciativa es generar conciencia sobre el ahorro de agua y el aprovechamiento de los recursos naturales desde la ciudad. Los Ekomuros ya han sido instalados en diez colegios y varios hogares de esta localidad. </p>

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Muros construidos con envases de bebidas gaseosas se están convirtiendo en una alternativa ecológica para recolectar agua de lluvia en Cazucá, uno de los barrios más pobres y vulnerables de Bogotá, Colombia.

El proyecto Ekomuro H20, liderado por el ingeniero Ricardo Alba, fue elegido por un comité técnico de ONU Hábitat como una de las 100 mejores prácticas del mundo para mejorar las condiciones de vida de la población.

El propósito de esta iniciativa es generar conciencia sobre el ahorro de agua y el aprovechamiento de los recursos naturales desde la ciudad. Los Ekomuros ya han sido instalados en diez colegios y varios hogares de esta localidad.