El precio del suelo y la infraestructura pública en el periurbano de Cuenca. Caso de estudio: San Joaquín

Abstract

The expansion of the city of Cuenca towards its periphery generates a series of social and spatial phenomena that modify the structure of the territory. As cities expand, so do the infrastructures; often, their presence in an area constitutes a strong incentive for the population to settle in the vicinity. Public infrastructures result from a direct capital investment aimed at modifying the characteristics of the land. Their influence on land prices often translates into an increase in the land's value, from which landowners can benefit upon its sale. Considering that land prices are determined by a series of internal and external factors, the incorporation of new variables in an area that previously lacked them tends to modify land prices. The imminent urbanization of periurban land has led to land prices being subject to speculative practices. Therefore, this thesis focuses on determining whether there is a relationship between the behavior of land prices and public infrastructures in the periurban area of Cuenca, specifically in the San Joaquín parish. To develop this study, data on land prices and available public infrastructures in the Study Area were collected, which underwent spatial and descriptive statistical analysis. The results obtained indicate that in 95% of the blocks in the Study Area, public infrastructures represent up to 15.89% of the land price. There is a direct relationship between the behavior of land prices and public infrastructures. Although their effect is positive in most cases, there are areas that show inconsistencies when relating these two variables. Finally, it is emphasized the urgent need for the local government to control and regulate land price behavior, promoting equitable access to this resource for the population.