CAMU CAMU HEALTHSCAPE

Improving health through unexpected interactions between ecology, people, and place.

Camu camu is a small floodplain tree native to the Amazon region. Berries on the tree are highly sought after, both within the Amazon region and further abroad. Claverito currently maintains a robust and resilient camu camu patch within its community that is cared after by a few key residents. This patch of camu camu is an untapped resource that residents have the opportunity to capitalize on. Expanding the bosque, scaling up fruit production, building light landscape interventions, and introducing seasonal programming can create the basis for a thriving environment and economy.

It is estimated that roughly 120,000 people live within the urban floodplain (InterACTION Labs). Once proven to be successful, Claverito may act as a model for other floodplain communities to follow. This project explores how minimal changes to the landscape with readily available materials can eventually lead to large scale improvements in health across the city of Iquitos.

GOALS:

1. Improve the mental and physical health of residents of Claverito.

2. Increase biodiversity within Claverito to reduce vulnerability to disease and environmental disturbances.

3. Establish a self-sustaining economic system for residents to further expand.

4. Create a framework that can be scaled up for other floodplain communities.