Analysis of the interrelations between biogeographic systems and the dynamics of the Port-Waterfront Cities: Cartagena de Indias, Colombia

摘要

This research shows that the correlations of the Port-Waterfront Cities and their development throughout history have led to conceptual evolution to strengthen and implement: sustainable cities. The main objective of this research was to perform a detailed analysis of the relationships between the Biogeographical Systems and the dynamics of the Port-Waterfront Cities, to make an integrated approach between human and natural relations in these urbanized coastal-marine regions. Analytical tools associated with the General Theory of Systems and critical thinking are employed. The reliable conceptual documentation is analyzed for achieving the preset objectives of the present research. Subsequently, a historical analysis of the Port-Waterfront Cities was carried out, and a conceptual map was prepared by integrating conceptual information and the proposed biogeographic systems such as the atmospheric, the hydrospheric, the geospheric, the biospheric and the anthropospheric. Furthermore, a Sankey Diagram was developed to understand interactions between the biogeographic systems and their dynamic flows entering the marine-coastal urban environment. In the present research, the city of "Cartagena de Indias" and its surroundings in Colombia have been considered. Finally, sustainability guidelines developed through a multi-criterion analysis were established as a contribution to urban planning management and territorial ordering tools in marine-coastal environments.