Herramientas para el diseño de espacios con naturaleza en proyectos residenciales. Caso de estudio Centro Histórico de Cuenca - Ecuador.

Abstract

Currently, we observe a progressive reduction of green areas in residential projects, with a clear prioritization of the built environment, relegating natural spaces that have historically been an integral part of housing and urban design, despite evidence from various studies highlighting their importance and proposing ways to incorporate them. This trend compromises the comfort and well-being of residents. In this context, the present research project aims to establish guidelines for the reintegration of natural elements into existing courtyard houses in the Historic Center of Cuenca. To achieve this objective, relevant information was analyzed to understand the relationship between nature and human beings within the historical context of housing, and the situation of residences in the Historic Center of Cuenca, their evolution, and their significance were specifically studied. Subsequently, the analysis of the housing incorporates contributions from recent research developed by the "RECETAS" project, coordinated locally by the World Heritage City Research Group. This includes the characterization of natural species, including native plants, which will be complemented by architectural characteristics of courtyard houses. The integrated nature-architecture analysis will establish spatial parameters that facilitate the reintegration of nature, providing a practical tool to guide the appropriate implementation of vegetation in interior courtyards, especially for residential projects within the Historic Center of Cuenca, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999.