Medellín's Guardian Hills

Abstract

An essay published in the Poetry section, this piece reflects on Medellín's seven guardian hills, produced as part of the process of drafting Management Plans for these spaces. The author, a forestry engineer, characterizes each hill according to its location, ecological value, and symbolic connection to surrounding neighborhoods, noting how some have retained greater ecological value while others have been heavily transformed by residential urbanization. The text concludes by posing the challenge of fostering civic recognition and sustainable use of these spaces, currently underused despite their potential as public spaces of metropolitan importance.