GIS for decision-making on the gentrification phenomenon in strategic territorial planning

Abstract

Gentrification is a worldwide phenomenon that generates population displacement due to various economic and social factors that change the way of life of residents in a geographical space. It also has a greater incidence in urban areas that have a Historic Center, as is the case for many Latin American countries that preserve these spaces as part of their cultural heritage. Quito stands out as an important case study of the gentrification phenomenon in its Historic Center. The increase in tourism and economic activity in the sector has generated the right environment for its development, elevating the cost of living by increasing the capital gain, thus promoting population displacement. Currently, information on the gentrification phenomenon in Quito is scarce and it is not feasible to examine the phenomenon and how it has been developing over the decades. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to create a web system that employs geographic tools to analyze and visualize gentrification. The use of GIS in particular provides a better representation of the model used for the study and a different visualization of the data, making the user experience much more interactive. Based on this premise, the web system was created in such a way that it will allow the local government to better identify, visualize, and analyze the phenomenon. This will motivate the local government to generate public policies to reduce gentrification in the study area.