Análisis de la integración urbana del proyecto de vivienda social Jardines del Valle en Cuenca, Ecuador

Abstract

The objective of this research is to analyze the level of urban integration of the Jardines del Valle social housing project in relation to the existing urban structure and the needs of its residents, based on the premise that housing functionality depends not only on its physical conditions but also on its proper articulation with the services, facilities, and opportunities offered by the city. In this sense, evaluating the degree of urban integration is essential to guide planning strategies aimed at optimizing future social housing projects, considering that such interventions often present weaknesses in their linkage with the urban environment. The study was conducted under a mixed, descriptive, and explanatory approach, applied to 20 housing units through surveys as the main data collection instrument, complemented by interviews and direct observation, which allowed for the integration of objective data related to infrastructure and the surrounding context, as well as subjective information based on residents’ perceptions and experiences. The results reveal a heterogeneous relationship between the housing complex and the city, characterized by differences in access to services, infrastructure, and mobility dynamics; consequently, it is concluded that the project exhibits partial urban integration, conditioned by dependence on the city, perceptions of distance, and limitations in effective access to facilities, factors that influence the appropriation of the environment.