ClimateScan - Project detail

Description

The annual Metro Cebu River Scan Challenge 2024 make its sixth round as an event that brings together the brilliant minds of Dutch and Filipino students to propose a valuable solution to the problem that continues to plague the rivers of areas in Metro Cebu City. This event is led by University of San Carlos and is in collaboration with Hanze University of Applied Sciences and Rotterdam University.

This year’s River Scan Challenge focus will only be on the Butuanon River. The Butuanon River is a waterway stretching 23 kilometers. It originates in the mountainous regions of Cebu City and flows down to Mandaue City. The river ultimately empties into the Mactan Channel, which separates Mandaue City from Lapu-Lapu City. The total area drained by the Butuanon River, known as its catchment, is roughly 62.5 square kilometers. Interestingly, only a small portion (less than 20%) of this catchment lies within Mandaue City. However, the majority of the 7.5 kilometer stretch of the river that flows through Mandaue City is surrounded by urban development, encompassing a mix of industrial zones, commercial areas, and residential neighborhoods.

The root cause of the problem is the fast rate of urbanization of the tri-cities in which the river is [connected] in. Because of this, rainwater instantly becomes surface runoff which leads to no water infiltration in the soil. The influx of population and consequent increase in urbanization have exacerbated issues such as surface runoff, as rainwater fails to infiltrate the soil efficiently. As a result, the Butuanon River faces significant environmental challenges that require urgent attention.

For our group, Moon River, we have been tasked with conducting a river scan of the upstream portion of the Butuanon River, specifically in Sitio Sugarlandia of Bacayan. This area represents a crucial section of the river's ecosystem and will provide valuable insights into the environmental health and challenges faced by this vital waterway.

In collaboration with the Departments of Civil Engineering, Political Science, and Anthropology, Sociology, and History (DASH), alongside Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, and the USC-Office of External Relations and Internationalization, the Metro Cebu River Scan Challenge 2024 has been organized. This multisectoral initiative, now in its sixth year, engages local government units (LGUs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and academia.

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