Valoración del espacio público informal dentro de los barrios de la ciudad de Cuenca

Abstract

Since the second half of the 20th century, Latin American cities have experienced an accelerated demographic growth, caused mainly by the movement of the population from rural to urban areas. The region currently has the highest urbanization rates in the world; it is estimated that by 2050, approximately 89% of the region’s population will be settled in urban areas. This accelerated population growth in cities generates the displacement of inhabitants with high levels of poverty to unplanned peripheral areas, giving rise to informal settlements. The inefficiency of the state as a planner and financier of public space, leads inhabitants of poor neighborhoods to generate alternatives of self-construction, associative and collaborative networks or community work within their space, thus producing informal public space. In this context, this document presents a methodology for the valuation of informal public spaces in different neighborhoods of the city of Cuenca-Ecuador, through physical, perceptual and behavioral diagnostic tools. This methodology allows us to learn about the human needs caused by informality and to propose solutions adapted to the context. The result of this assessment allows to propose criteria that can support participatory urban design becoming a source of consultation for local governments, future development plans and land use plans.