Reubicación estratégica de zonas de tolerancia en la periferia urbana de Cuenca: análisis y propuesta urbana – arquitectónica

Abstract

This thesis analyzes the urban, social, and regulatory issues arising from the continued existence of tolerance zones within the consolidated urban fabric of the city of Cuenca, with an emphasis on the Cayambe neighborhood. The lack of planning, deterioration of the environment, neighborhood conflicts, and insecurity have created a situation that requires comprehensive intervention from the perspectives of architecture and urban planning. The main objective is to formulate an urban-architectural proposal that allows these areas to be strategically relocated to the urban periphery, guaranteeing dignified, safe, and sanitary conditions for the people involved, under an inclusive, sustainable, and human rights-based approach. The research employs a mixed-method approach that combines documentary analysis, interviews, national and international case studies, and direct field observation, which allowed for the construction of a comprehensive diagnosis of the urban conflict and the definition of technical criteria for the new location. As a result, the creation of a multifunctional urban facility on the northern outskirts of Cuenca, specifically at the second entrance to Nulti, is proposed. This space includes regulated care modules, medical services, legal counseling, community spaces, green areas, and control systems. The proposal complies with current local regulations and constitutes a replicable model for other urban contexts in the country. The study demonstrates that, through proper planning and institutional coordination, it is possible to transform a stigmatized problem into an opportunity for sustainable urban and social development.