C40 Cities Challenge: Resilient Edges

Project Description

The proposal addresses the uncontrolled urban expansion along the eastern edge of the Puengasí geological fault in Quito, Ecuador, where human settlements have fragmented the ecological and social fabric. The concept focuses on reintegrating these urban edges through ecological restoration, productive landscapes, and improved connectivity.

Complete Neighbourhoods: The plan introduces mixed-use clusters combining housing, local commerce, education, and services, reducing dependence on distant resources and fostering self-sufficiency.

People-centred Public Spaces: Agricultural buffer zones double as communal spaces for social interaction, while cycling routes and pedestrian paths encourage active mobility. Historic chaquiñanes (ancestral trails) are restored as cultural and recreational corridors.

Inclusive Communities: The design strengthens social cohesion by providing shared productive areas, inclusive public amenities, and affordable transport links, ensuring equitable benefits for residents on both sides of the fault.

Urban Nature & Climate Resilience: Green belts protect the ecological matrix, enhance biodiversity, and serve as climate buffers against heat and erosion. The proposal’s impact includes improved air quality through reduced vehicle use, increased food security via urban agriculture, and revitalised cultural heritage. By merging ecological protection, local production, and sustainable mobility, the project offers a replicable model for resilient, thriving neighbourhoods.