Análisis espacial de la cobertura de equipamientos de servicio social y transporte en la ciudad de Cuenca basado en indicadores de sostenibilidad urbana

Abstract

The city of Cuenca exhibits urban growth characterized by peripheral expansion that deepens territorial equity gaps. This research aimed to develop a Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) to evaluate urban sustainability, focusing on accessibility to public transport and social services (education, culture, and care). The methodology integrated the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) —based on the Urban Dashboard project model— and spatial analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Multicriteria weighting results prioritize the Social Dimension (60%) over Mobility (40%), identifying transport access (74.5% local weight) as the individual indicator with the highest impact. Hot Spot analysis revealed a radial-centralized urban structure, where excellence is concentrated in the Historic Center, while peripheral areas such as Challuabamba, Rayoloma, and the San Sebastián-El Batán axis show critical deficiencies (Cold Spots). A key finding is the predominance of "functional neutrality" (Level 4) in nearly 70% of the urban fabric, reflecting a planning approach that guarantees basic minimums but lacks high efficiency. The study concludes that Cuenca's inclusive sustainability requires decentralizing nodes of excellence toward the peripheries to eliminate systemic dependence on the city's foundational core.