Cemeteries are sites for the final disposal of human bodies that constitute a source of contamination of soil and water as a result of the cadaveric decomposition generated. The current research performed an initial study on the contamination of soil and water due to the influence of cemeteries and verified compliance with the legislation regulating land use and occupation of Central Ecuador (PUGS) with the aim of proposing an environmental and territorial solution to the problems generated by the mismanagement of cemeteries, through the physicochemical analysis of soil and water and studies of land use compatibility. The results indicate the tendency of contamination caused by the studied cemeteries, since the samples taken in both the rainy and dry season for the measurement of parameters BOD₅, COD, DO, pH and electrical conductivity fail to meet the established requirements of the Ecuadorian and international environmental regulations. In addition, land use conflicts were encountered in the cemetery grounds. It is concluded that the existing cemeteries should be subjected to more detailed environmental analysis and subsequently should be treated as security landfills in the closure and post-closure stage. Also, it has been concluded that the cemeteries should not be located in urban or peri-urban areas.

Cemeteries are a source of environmental contamination, as they hold hundreds of human corpses in different stages of decomposition. Therefore, the current research developed a new tool, which is easily applied, to determine the potential environmental contamination generated by current cemeteries within their ecosystems. The linear equations developed, with a number of variables between 10 and 3, allow for obtaining empirical indices to evaluate the suitability of a site, regardless of the geographical area in which it is located, through a variety of sources. In order to obtain the equations and, therefore, the indices, a hierarchy was performed using the Saaty matrix. With such a matrix, different ranges of affectation were established for each variable and relative values were assigned that cover all probabilities quantitatively, from the least probable to the most likely. With the linear equations, three verification runs were conducted, obtaining satisfactory results compared with the location map of cemeteries obtained in previous studies. These equations will constitute a tool of fundamental use for local governments, which will allow for the evaluation of existing cemeteries and use of the methodology described in preliminary analysis, to save resources and have a starting point for an efficient land use plan.

Understanding urban deprivation and its impact on health is crucial for addressing inequalities in cities. Using Quito as a case study, we developed a census-based socioeconomic urban deprivation index and analyzed three health outcomes: fatal injuries, COVID-19 deaths, and maternal mortality. Spatial patterns were examined using Local Moran’s I, and regression analyses included OLS, spatial lag, spatial error, and GWR models, applied at two spatial scales, census sectors and census zones, with deprivation as the independent variable. Most of the regression models indicated that deprivation does not explain health outcomes, with the exception of fatal injuries and COVID-19 deaths at the census zone scale when spatial error models are applied. Our results also revealed MAUP effects, as spatial patterns and associations between the studied variables vary depending on spatial scale. Spatial models improved explanatory power compared to OLS, uncovering spatial dependence and heterogeneity in the relationships between deprivation and health outcomes. Our findings underscore the importance of multiscale and spatially explicit approaches in urban health research and provide actionable evidence for targeted interventions and urban planning that account for both local and structural patterns of deprivation.

Este estudio examina las políticas contra la violencia sexual en el transporte público del Distrito Metropolitano de Quito (DMQ). Para ello, se recopilaron y analizaron leyes, ordenanzas, estatutos y otros documentos relacionados con la movilidad de esta ciudad desde la perspectiva de género. Se empleó un marco analítico basado en las capacidades políticas, logísticas y operativas, siguiendo el modelo de recursos “NATO” y se aplicaron entrevistas no estructuradas a funcionarios que han participado de la ejecución de estas políticas. Los resultados indican que, aunque se han implementado diversas políticas para abordar la violencia sexual en el transporte público de Quito, la continuidad y efectividad de estas acciones han sido variables y se han visto afectadas con los cambios de administración y han enfrentado desafíos en su implementación y sostenibilidad. Este estudio subraya la importancia de una gobernanza efectiva y políticas públicas bien diseñadas y sostenibles para abordar la violencia sexual en el transporte público. Aunque se han dado pasos significativos en Quito, es necesario continuar mejorando y adaptando las estrategias para garantizar la seguridad y el bienestar de las mujeres en el transporte público.

El tejido social, configurado a través de la cohesión y el capital sociales, puede influir en la satisfacción con la vida de los residentes urbanos. En América Latina no son comunes las evaluaciones cuantitativas de tal influencia. Tomando el centro histórico de la ciudad de Quito como caso de estudio, se evaluó qué indicadores de este tejido influyen más en la satisfacción general con la vida de residentes del área de estudio. Se aplicaron tres modelos: red neuronal artificial, random forest (bosque aleatorio), y regresión logística ordinal. Se encontró que, para los tres modelos, el nivel de satisfacción respecto de la participación con la comunidad y el nivel de satisfacción en relación con los vecinos son los factores que mayor influencia tienen en la satisfacción con la vida. Los resultados obtenidos pueden apoyar la planificación urbana orientada a fortalecer lazos comunitarios y la interacción entre vecinos de la ciudad.