Urban Analysis of Habitability Conditions in the Nuevo Portoviejo Neighborhood, Province of Manabí, Republic of Ecuador

Abstract

This research analyzes the habitability conditions in the Nuevo Portoviejo neighborhood, located on the outskirts of the Portoviejo canton, Francisco Pacheco parish, in the province of Manabí, Ecuador. It is a high-density area with 4,408 inhabitants spread over 46.50 hectares, mainly composed of single-family homes in a peri-urban zone. The study adopts a comprehensive approach that considers physical, environmental, and psychological aspects of the living space. It begins by identifying key issues such as insecurity, lack of basic services, and urban segregation. The main objective is to evaluate the level of urban habitability, following the methodological guidelines proposed by Garfias, to better understand the quality of the environment and its impact on residents' daily lives. This is an exploratory study that uses a mixed methodology, combining documentary review, fieldwork, observation forms, focus groups, and thematic maps. These tools are applied in three phases, each aligned with a specific analytical approach. The results reveal that the neighborhood exhibits a medium-low level of habitability, influenced by factors that negatively affect residents’ quality of life and limit the area’s comprehensive urban development.