IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v16y2024i23p10260-d1527684.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Urban Sustainability Through the Lens of Urban Fabric Typologies: A Case Study of Cuenca, Ecuador

Author

Listed:
  • Francisco Calderón

    (LlactaLAB-Ciudades Sustentables, Universidad de Cuenca, Cuenca 010107, Ecuador)

  • Daniel Orellana

    (LlactaLAB-Ciudades Sustentables, Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo, Universidad de Cuenca, Cuenca 010107, Ecuador)

  • María Isabel Carrasco

    (Escuela de Arquitectura, Facultad de Diseño, Arquitectura y Arte, Universidad del Azuay, Cuenca 010204, Ecuador)

  • Johnatan Astudillo

    (Independent Researcher, Cuenca 010107, Ecuador)

  • María Augusta Hermida

    (LlactaLAB-Ciudades Sustentables, Universidad de Cuenca, Cuenca 010107, Ecuador)

Abstract

Understanding the relationship between urban fabrics and sustainability is essential for addressing contemporary urban challenges, as urban fabrics provide critical morphological and socio-economic data that enhance our understanding of the performance and spatial variability of urban systems. This study focuses on Cuenca, spatially divided into a 150 m radius hexagonal grid with 30 sustainability indicators and 18 urban fabric typologies. Using spatial, statistical, and visual analysis, relationships and patterns between sustainability indicators and urban fabric types are explored. The results reveal significant variation in sustainability across different fabric types, with built environment indicators playing a central role. There is marked spatial heterogeneity: inner-core areas exhibit higher sustainability, fringe areas lag behind, and transitional zones are also identified. Spatial clustering reveals that fabric types are homogeneous in terms of sustainability at both the high and low extremes but heterogeneous in mid-range sustainability areas. This quantitative analysis of Cuenca’s urban fabric typologies highlights substantial differences in sustainability and distinct spatial patterns, offering valuable insights for evidence-based urban planning. The open-source data and tools provided facilitate customisation and replication in other urban contexts.

Suggested Citation

  • Francisco Calderón & Daniel Orellana & María Isabel Carrasco & Johnatan Astudillo & María Augusta Hermida, 2024. "Urban Sustainability Through the Lens of Urban Fabric Typologies: A Case Study of Cuenca, Ecuador," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-28, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:23:p:10260-:d:1527684
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/23/10260/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/23/10260/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sijia Li & Chao Wu & Yu Lin & Zhengyang Li & Qingyun Du, 2020. "Urban Morphology Promotes Urban Vibrancy from the Spatiotemporal and Synergetic Perspectives: A Case Study Using Multisource Data in Shenzhen, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-24, June.
    2. Runde Fu & Xinhuan Zhang & Degang Yang & Tianyi Cai & Yufang Zhang, 2021. "The Relationship between Urban Vibrancy and Built Environment: An Empirical Study from an Emerging City in an Arid Region," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-20, January.
    3. Yun-Yun Ko & Yin-Hao Chiu, 2020. "Empirical Study of Urban Development Evaluation Indicators Based on the Urban Metabolism Concept," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-15, September.
    4. González, L.G. & Siavichay, E. & Espinoza, J.L., 2019. "Impact of EV fast charging stations on the power distribution network of a Latin American intermediate city," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 309-318.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jinyao Lin & Yaye Zhuang & Yang Zhao & Hua Li & Xiaoyu He & Siyan Lu, 2022. "Measuring the Non-Linear Relationship between Three-Dimensional Built Environment and Urban Vitality Based on a Random Forest Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-18, December.
    2. Kai Zhao & Jinhan Guo & Ziying Ma & Wanshu Wu, 2023. "Exploring the Spatiotemporal Heterogeneity and Stationarity in the Relationship between Street Vitality and Built Environment," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(1), pages 21582440231, February.
    3. Wang, Xiaoxi & Zhang, Yaojun & Yu, Danlin & Qi, Jinghan & Li, Shujing, 2022. "Investigating the spatiotemporal pattern of urban vibrancy and its determinants: Spatial big data analyses in Beijing, China," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    4. Morro-Mello, Igoor & Padilha-Feltrin, Antonio & Melo, Joel D. & Heymann, Fabian, 2021. "Spatial connection cost minimization of EV fast charging stations in electric distribution networks using local search and graph theory," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C).
    5. González, L.G. & Cordero-Moreno, Daniel & Espinoza, J.L., 2021. "Public transportation with electric traction: Experiences and challenges in an Andean city," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    6. Viktor Slednev & Patrick Jochem & Wolf Fichtner, 2022. "Impacts of electric vehicles on the European high and extra high voltage power grid," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(3), pages 824-837, June.
    7. Yibo Gao & Hongwei Wang & Suyan Yi & Deping Wang & Chen Ma & Bo Tan & Yiming Wei, 2021. "Spatial and Temporal Characteristics of Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Their Influencing Factors in Urumqi, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-17, May.
    8. Alfonso Valero, 2024. "Diversification strategies for indirect real estate. Intersection of business, economics, and society in shanghai mixed-use developments," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 4(10), pages 1-26, October.
    9. Abdulgader Alsharif & Chee Wei Tan & Razman Ayop & Ahmed Al Smin & Abdussalam Ali Ahmed & Farag Hamed Kuwil & Mohamed Mohamed Khaleel, 2023. "Impact of Electric Vehicle on Residential Power Distribution Considering Energy Management Strategy and Stochastic Monte Carlo Algorithm," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-22, January.
    10. Sagar Hossain & Md. Rokonuzzaman & Kazi Sajedur Rahman & A. K. M. Ahasan Habib & Wen-Shan Tan & Md Mahmud & Shahariar Chowdhury & Sittiporn Channumsin, 2023. "Grid-Vehicle-Grid (G2V2G) Efficient Power Transmission: An Overview of Concept, Operations, Benefits, Concerns, and Future Challenges," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-24, March.
    11. Pampa Sinha & Kaushik Paul & Sanchari Deb & Sulabh Sachan, 2023. "Comprehensive Review Based on the Impact of Integrating Electric Vehicle and Renewable Energy Sources to the Grid," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-39, March.
    12. Minou Weijs-Perrée & Gamze Dane & Pauline van den Berg, 2021. "Editorial for the Special Issue on “Experiencing the City: The Relation between Urban Design and People’s Well-Being”," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-6, March.
    13. Yuan Lai & Jiatong Li & Jiachen Zhang & Lan Yan & Yifeng Liu, 2022. "Do Vibrant Places Promote Active Living? Analyzing Local Vibrancy, Running Activity, and Real Estate Prices in Beijing," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-19, December.
    14. Tongwen Wang & Ya Li & Haidong Li & Shuaijun Chen & Hongkai Li & Yunxing Zhang, 2022. "Research on the Vitality Evaluation of Parks and Squares in Medium-Sized Chinese Cities from the Perspective of Urban Functional Areas," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-23, November.
    15. Shubham Mishra & Shrey Verma & Subhankar Chowdhury & Ambar Gaur & Subhashree Mohapatra & Gaurav Dwivedi & Puneet Verma, 2021. "A Comprehensive Review on Developments in Electric Vehicle Charging Station Infrastructure and Present Scenario of India," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-20, February.
    16. Tao Shen & Wenshiqi Zhou & Shuai Yuan & Liang Huo, 2024. "Spatiotemporal Characterization of the Three-Dimensional Morphology of Urban Buildings Based on Moran’s I," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-16, July.
    17. Yihao Jiang & Zhaojin Chen & Pingjun Sun, 2022. "Urban Shrinkage and Urban Vitality Correlation Research in the Three Northeastern Provinces of China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-22, August.
    18. Bahram Zikirya & Xiong He & Ming Li & Chunshan Zhou, 2021. "Urban Food Takeaway Vitality: A New Technique to Assess Urban Vitality," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-18, March.
    19. Jiangang Shi & Wei Miao & Hongyun Si & Ting Liu, 2021. "Urban Vitality Evaluation and Spatial Correlation Research: A Case Study from Shanghai, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-15, November.
    20. Jie Zheng & Guodong Chen & Tiantian Zhang & Mingjing Ding & Binglin Liu & Hao Wang, 2021. "Exploring Spatial Variations in the Relationships between Landscape Functions and Human Activities in Suburban Rural Communities: A Case Study in Jiangning District, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-19, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:23:p:10260-:d:1527684. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.