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This research allowed us to understand the physical-chemical and microbiological quality of rainwater collected in the downtown area and Medrano neighborhood of the city of Quibdó - Chocó. This population has a high precipitation rate which ranges from 1500mm/year and 8500mm/year, both currently and in the future, although this situation contrasts with the low drinking water coverage, which is only 28.5%. To carry out this study, 5 sampling points were identified, and 4 samples were collected at each point with a periodicity of 1 weekly sampling for 4 weeks, for a total of 20 representative samples. The selected roof tops coverings were made of zinc, asbestos cement, and mantle, and are located in areas of high vehicular and pedestrian activity. The collected samples were analyzed in an accredited laboratory for this purpose. The parameters evaluated for rainwater quality were: apparent color, real color, conductivity, pH, total alkalinity, nitrites, nitrates, total coliforms, and Escherichia Coli. The result of the microbiological analyzes was POSITIVE in 100% of the cases, while 15% of the physical analyses and 34% of the chemical analyses also yielded negative results. Due to the presence mainly of colony-forming units of Escherichia Coli and total coliforms, it was concluded that rainwater in the downtown area and Medrano neighborhood of the city of Quibdó - Chocó, does not meet the standards established in the evaluated parameters and required by the regulations, which means that it is not safe for human consumption due to its level of contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses how marginal cities surrounded by rich hinterlands in geographies of conflict display city-building processes that transform them into emergent geographies of spatial accumulation. Embracing recent debates on geographies of accumulation in the global South, this paper reveals three interrelated strategies that shape capitalist urbanisation in marginal cities of conflict. The empirical findings of a case study in the Colombian Pacific region indicate that: 1) extractive economies supported by national neoliberal policies nurture weak governance, as reflected in city-building processes that increase sociospatial segregation; 2) the circulation of illegal capital within status quo spatial politics seems to result in rapid urban transformations via land use changes; and 3) spatial accumulation in marginal urban settlements conceals processes of systematic social injustice through euphemisms of economic development. This paper contributes to new conceptualisations derived from an analysis of spatial transformations in marginal(ised) cities under geopolitical economies of violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

En el artículo se hace una reflexión acerca de la conformación del trazado urbano de la ciudad de Quibdó, en el Pacífico colombiano, en relación con las configuraciones espaciales que lo constituyen y que este constituye. Esta apuesta entiende la conformación del trazado y los espacios en correlación con diversas relaciones sociales, en los conocimientos, los entendimientos, las apropiaciones y las vivencias de los grupos locales, así como en las relaciones de los pobladores con el entorno físico y natural, como tejidos de relaciones y dinámicas constructoras de espacio y territorio. A partir de las pesquisas realizadas en la estructura urbana de Quibdó se identifican configuraciones espaciales y trazados característicos de la ciudad, a través de los cuales se rastrean comprensiones, identidades y formas de pensamiento y de organización asociadas al espacio. Las indagaciones suscitan la detección de elementos de valor asociados a las espacialidades y trazados que permiten vislumbrar elementos patrimoniales vinculados a lo urbano. Se trata de una apuesta por entender otras formas de aproximación que pongan en tensión la mirada hegemónica que cataloga y dictamina cuál es el patrimonio urbano de esta ciudad.

The flood hazard caused by Atrato River in Quibdó, northwest of Colombia is assessed using statistical modeling techniques (Gumbel and GRADEX), hydraulic modeling with HEC-RAS and the Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Three flood hazard maps for return periods of 10, 20 and 50 years are generated. The flood hazard modeling reveals that the flooded zone is more significant out of the left (West) bank than out of the right (East) bank of Atrato River. For the three return periods the maximum depth of water reached by the river and extent of flooding are estimated. Sensitivity analysis on roughness coefficient and peak discharge is performed. For 50 year return period (Q = 3054m3/s), water depth on the left and right bank of Atrato River is 3.7m and 3.1 m, respectively. This information is useful in defining the minimum height of flood protection structures such as dikes to protect the area from flooding. The results can be useful for evacuation planning, estimation of damages and post flood recovery efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]