In the heart of Mexico’s industrial powerhouse, the Metropolitan Area of Monterrey (MAM), a groundbreaking study is transforming how we tackle urban river degradation. Led by A. N. Escobedo Tamez from the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, this research is not just about mapping problems—it’s about empowering communities to solve them. The Pesquería River, a vital waterway in this rapidly urbanizing region, has long suffered from clandestine dumping, illegal wastewater discharges, and unchecked solid waste accumulation. But now, a combination of cutting-edge technology and grassroots participation is offering a new path forward.
Escobedo Tamez and their team turned to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to capture high-resolution RGB and LiDAR imagery, creating detailed orthophotos and dense point clouds using Structure from Motion (SfM) techniques. “The precision of these geospatial tools allows us to document environmental issues with unprecedented clarity,” Escobedo Tamez explained. But what truly sets this study apart is its emphasis on community engagement. Through workshops and real-time surveys, residents were able to identify and validate environmental problems directly from the UAV imagery, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility.
The integration of geospatial technology with local knowledge has proven to be a powerful formula. “By combining high-tech tools with the insights of those who live closest to the river, we’re not just diagnosing problems—we’re co-creating solutions,” Escobedo Tamez added. This participatory model strengthens community involvement in environmental monitoring, ensuring that the solutions are both effective and sustainable.
The implications of this research extend far beyond the Pesquería River. In an era of rapid urbanization and environmental degradation, the ability to document, analyze, and address socio-environmental issues with precision and community involvement is invaluable. For the energy sector, where water resources are critical for operations, this approach could offer a blueprint for sustainable water management. By leveraging geospatial technologies and community engagement, energy companies could mitigate risks associated with water pollution and scarcity, ensuring a more resilient and sustainable future.
The study, published in the *ISPRS Annals of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences* (translated to English as “Annals of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences”), provides a replicable, low-cost framework for socio-environmental diagnostics in complex urban contexts. As cities around the world grapple with similar challenges, this research offers a beacon of hope—a reminder that technology and community collaboration can drive meaningful change.
In the words of Escobedo Tamez, “This is just the beginning. The potential for geospatial technologies to transform environmental management is immense, and we’re only scratching the surface.” As we look to the future, the lessons from the Pesquería River could very well shape the next generation of urban environmental solutions, offering a model for sustainable development that balances technological innovation with community empowerment.