Estrategias de mejora del entorno urbano de las paradas de autobús para niñas y niños entre 8 a 12 años en la ciudad de Cuenca, Ecuador

Abstract

Historically, urban design and planning have prioritized the demands of adults, overlooking the needs of children. This curriculum integration project aims to determine strategies to improve the habitability of public spaces, focusing on safety, comfort, and usability for children aged 8 to 12 in the vicinity of bus stops near educational institutions in Cuenca. The research is exploratory and descriptive in scope, utilizing quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze the physical environment of bus stops and spatial behavior. It also incorporates participatory methods to include the perspectives and needs of the target group in the design strategies. The project begins with an exploratory review of the state of the art concerning habitability and urban design for children, establishing the theoretical framework of the research and identifying relevant case studies. Following this, a field study is presented, conducted at two selected bus stops to determine their conditions and problems. Next, the participatory process with children is detailed, aiming to identify their perspectives and needs. Finally, these results are used to propose design strategies. This work is expected to highlight the importance of considering children as key users of public spaces and contribute to generating strategies for building a more inclusive and equitable city.