Determinación de estrategias de diseño urbano integral para mejorar las condiciones actuales de las ciclovías de la ciudad de Cuenca - Av. Loja, sector Universidad de Cuenca

Abstract

Since its invention and commercialization at the beginning of the twentieth century, the vehicle has occupied exponentially much of the cities, demanding the creation of more tracks, reducing the spaces destined for the displacement of pedestrians and cyclists. In the case of Cuenca, there is a remarkable growth of the vehicle fleet because people see motorized transport as a convenient solution to travel, causing vehicle congestion and greater pollution. However, the academy and the political sphere have promoted a paradigm shift on mobility and sustainability in Cuenca, making non-motorized transport (cycling and walking) the main means to move from one place to another. This has been achieved through the promotion of programmes and projects based on academic studies, in addition to the provision of cycling infrastructure around the city. However, despite the strategic planning carried out, there are some deficits with regard to this infrastructure, especially in relation to its physical properties and connection between routes. In order to prioritize pedestrian and cyclist traffic, and contribute to overcoming the aforementioned deficits; the present work proposes strategies of integrated urban design to improve the current conditions of the City of Cuenca’s cycle lanes, taking Av as a case study. Loja, sector Universidad de Cuenca (stretch between Av. Remigio Crespo Toral and Av. 12 de Abril). To this end, it is based on international theoretical foundations, cities in which the bicycle is positioned as one of the main means of transport and with consolidated cycling infrastructure, as well as the Walkability City Tool methodology and tools for the collection of information such as counting, tracing and fothographing, adapting them to the context of the study area