El sistema de asentamientos humanos en la ordenación territorial del cantón Cuenca

Abstract

Constitutionally, Ecuador faces a major challenge to implement spatial planning efficiently and because it has not been a common practice, it requires a conceptual and methodological effort in order to approach this challenge, given the demands that would come from the planning processes in different scales. In this context to address further one component of the territorial system, as is human settlements system in the formulating development plans and spatial planning process is very important. This paper provides a settlements system analysis in spatial planning in the city of Cuenca, - this study is approved by the effective Cantonal Council -, although in this document settlement system is addressed, however it is believed relevant treat it more deeply either the diagnosis but mainly formulating a methodology for developing a model for a balanced and sustainable distribution of settlements in the city’s territory. At first instance a contextualization of the study area is done in order to establish a reflection on the systemic vision of the territory and the importance of spatial planning as well as a review of the historical aspects that influenced the current composition of the settlements system which worked for the diagnosis elaboration, through a general review of the Development Plan and Spatial Planning of the city of Cuenca, in each of its chapters. A fundamental part of the study is to formulate a settlement model based on a methodology, which aims for a balanced and equitable distribution of human settlements, with foundations in sustainability territory criteria and physical environment studies, population and activities, legal and institutional framework. The model formulation methodology is based on some previous guidelines as well as on indicators for ranking of settlements and cluster analysis application, centrality or functional areas that allow a proper settlements territory distribution are established, giving infrastructures and equipment, activities decentralization, enhancing existing cores and stopping the spread of settlements which contribute to territorial balance. Summarizing, it is about developing a practical theoretical basis to guide the formulation of a model of human settlements in the city’s territory, on one hand responding to this conceptual framework and on the other being consistent with local reality.