Summary

Santiago is the second largest city in the Dominican Republic and the fourth largest in the Caribbean, with a population of approximately 590,000 people. Santiago’s rapid population growth and economic development over the last thirty years has resulted in an increase of informal settlements. These informal communities are constructed in flood zones along the Yaque del Norte River and are often threatened by flooding during the rainy season. This flooding impacts drinking water quality and heightens the risk of disease for residents.

Goals

The 2C Santiago project focuses on data creation in support of land use planning and disaster risk reduction to foster sustainable and safe communities. All project partners work together through workshops to collect, document, and map data critical for disaster planning within three vulnerable unplanned communities of the El Yaque river floodplain: Granito Hernández, Suelo Duro, and Valle Encantado.

Data

This data will contribute to an updated municipal Land-Use map replacing a version from the early 2000s. These data and maps will help guide decisions about development, especially as it pertains to the 11 vulnerable neighborhoods in the flood zone.

Lead Partner

Urban and Regional Studies Center (CEUR) at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica, Madre y Maestra (PUCMM)

Supporting Partners

• EcoCity Builders
• Ordenamiento Territorial of Santiago (POT)

Map Layers