Interdisciplinary environmental analysis of the urban core of San Ramón de Alajuela

Abstract

Flooding has increased globally in recent years, and the urban area of ​​San Ramón de Alajuela is no exception. The presence of three streams that cross the urban center generates flooding due to both natural and anthropogenic factors. This article analyzes the situation in this area from a perspective that considers climatological, geomorphological, and economic factors that intensify flooding. To this end, a qualitative methodology was employed, utilizing techniques such as bibliographic analysis and tools such as QGIS to create a Map of Constitutional Court Rulings, as well as the Economic Losses Module of MIDEPLAN, among other resources. Likewise, an analysis of Constitutional Court rulings, current regulations in Costa Rica, and other relevant legal provisions were used to comprehensively portray the phenomenon. It is concluded that factors such as declining forest cover, impacts on public health, weak institutional coordination, and poor waste management by the population and institutions contribute to environmental degradation, thus generating a severe impact on people's quality of life.