Territorial gaps and urban sustainability in Aguachica, Cesar, Colombia

Introduction: This article analyzes the socioeconomic and environmental gaps of the municipality of Aguachica, located in the department of Cesar, Colombia, with the purpose of understanding the factors that shape its territorial development. Objective: To identify the main territorial gaps based on educational, social, economic, urban, and environmental variables. Methodology: From a quantitative, descriptive, and longitudinal approach, official data on education, health, housing, public services, municipal value added, energy demand, land cover, forest loss, and surface temperature were integrated, complemented with geospatial information processed through Google Earth Engine and QGIS. Results: Progressive loss of educational coverage at higher levels is evident, along with relative stagnation in State Exams scores, urban-rural gaps in water supply, sewage, and natural gas, and high economic concentration in the tertiary sector. Additionally, environmental pressures are identified, associated with loss of tree cover, agricultural dominance of land use, and rising average temperatures between 2022 and 2024. Discussion: The findings engage with human capital, territorial development, and sustainability approaches, showing that social, productive, and environmental gaps mutually reinforce one another. Conclusion: Aguachica requires evidence-based public planning aimed at reducing gaps, diversifying its economy, and strengthening environmental management.