Abstract

Urban wetlands in Chile have been recognized as spaces of biodiversity, recreation, flood mitigation, and other benefits. They have also been highly valued by the population and defended by the community, especially in the face of alterations to their hydrological cycle and loss of surface area, giving rise to a strong and organized movement in defense of urban wetlands. At the same time, one of the most significant laws in environmental terms for Chile, considered one of the most neoliberal countries in the world, was being developed. The law for the protection of Urban Wetlands 21.202, enacted in 2020, aims to halt indiscriminate real estate development on wetlands and integrate them into city planning.