Territorial Planning in Response to the Consequences of Climate Change

Abstract

Despite national efforts to improve territorial security, social welfare, and environmental sustainability, Colombia still faces significant challenges in these areas. Alterations in the demographic conditions of the territory, ongoing climate change, current climate variability, substantial growth in risk, and imminent urban expansion have increased the potential impact of natural phenomena. In this context, inadequate territorial management has contributed to the deterioration of populations directly affected by such impacts.

Analyzing the role of the Territorial Planning Plan (POT) as a fundamental tool for planning and organizing the territory, and considering that climate change represents a substantial threat capable of reversing environmental, social, and economic development levels in the country, it is necessary to carry out comprehensive territorial management based on prevention, control, and mitigation of possible impacts caused by natural phenomena.

The objective of this research was to determine how risk management has been incorporated into territorial planning, examining the problems generated over recent decades, analyzing current regulations, and the methodologies for risk assessment being implemented in the country. The study aimed to understand the current procedures in regulating risk—specifically that caused by climate change—within POTs, framed within the context of safe, sustainable, and enduring development.