Rehabilitation of the Rimac river

Abstract

Abstract Although institutional actions in Lima, Peru aim to address river cleaning, wastewater control, and riverbank recovery, these efforts remain fragmented and uneven in their social and environmental outcomes, resulting in limited long term impact. This research analyzes the rehabilitation of the Rímac River as a public, environmental, and social space within the urban structure, starting from its current condition of deterioration, pollution, insecurity, and disconnection from the city. Previous studies reveal that most rehabilitation approaches prioritize technical and infrastructural solutions, while issues of social equity, citizen participation, and long-term governance are often treated as secondary components. To address this gap, this research adopts a qualitative methodology based on an auto ethnographic approach supported by document analysis, a comparative study of the Remedios and Xochimilco rivers in Mexico, and an interview with a specialist in cultural ecology. This methodological framework allows for the identification of integrated and context sensitive strategies that combine ecological restoration, technological infrastructure, institutional coordination, and community participation, while also acknowledging the need to distribute environmental benefits and risks more equitably over time within the Rímac River basin. The alignment of technical interventions, governance structures, and active citizen involvement achieved sustained improvements in environmental quality, reduced health risks, and ecosystem recovery in the reference cases. In contrast, the Rímac River continues to face high levels of pollution, informal occupation, insecurity, and weak public appropriation of its riverbanks, limiting its integration into everyday urban life. The research argues that effective rehabilitation requires moving beyond isolated technical actions toward an integrated and phased framework that incorporates environmental education, social activation, urban safety, and community-based governance. By understanding the Rímac as a socio ecological system, this study proposes a realistic and adaptable approach that strengthens intergenerational equity, supports long term sustainability, urban resilience, and inclusive regeneration along the river corridor.