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CLIMATE PLANNING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT: ACTORS AND CLIMATE CHANGE MEASURES

2024 , Llacas Vicuña, Luis Deliberto

Urban development based on anthropogenic systems led to evident urban transformations on a global and local scale. Climate change is the product of these transformations, characterized by weather patterns and ecological systems alterations. These alterations cause impacts on urban dynamics, which generate severe social consequences. It becomes imperative to assume the inevitability of the climate phenomenon and adopt a new management model with adaptation and mitigation actions. The research addresses the climatic phenomenon in Ecuador, specifically in the urban area of Riobamba, emphasizing its planning instruments. The objective is to recognize the scope of local instruments and plans related to climate change and to identify actors involved through a map of actors according to their level of engagement and support for climate change action. The research contemplates a descriptive methodology with a qualitative approach using theoretical and argumentative techniques. The research considers documentary and fieldwork through methods such as documentary analysis, unstructured observation, in-depth interviews with strategic actors, case studies, and self-completed perception surveys of available subjects, corresponding to an exploratory and descriptive level. The results show that the local government did not consider initiatives aimed at climate planning and, despite programs and projects that seek to solve environmental problems, they need to be developed in detail or linked as measures against climate change. © 2024 ISEC Press.

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Smart Signage with Augmented Reality: Inclusive Coworking

2024 , Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio , Borja Galeas, Carlos , Piedra Ansatuña, Mario

This project focuses on the implementation of augmented reality signage designed to enhance user experience in a coworking space. The signage integrates 2D animations and virtual tours to provide an intuitive and immersive experience, from entry to the desired destination within the establishment. At the main entrance, a totem with a coworking directory features a QR code that visitors can scan to access an interactive directory. The 2D animations, thoughtfully designed with an inclusive approach, utilize validated corporate colors to ensure accessibility, especially for individuals with color vision deficiencies. Each business in the coworking space is identified by a unique corporate color, and internal business floor plans use analogous colors, adjusted to maintain aesthetic coherence and accessibility. In addition to being an effective navigation tool, these animations reinforce the visual identity of the coworking space. Each business within the establishment has an interactive virtual tour that guides visitors from entry to their final destination, providing real-time visual information for effective orientation. The signage system is based on WordPress to offer a seamless and efficient experience without the need to download a specific application. Upon scanning the QR code, users are redirected to a mobile-optimized web page. This page not only provides access to the 2D animations and virtual tours but also offers useful information such as business hours, links to the businesses’ and coworking space's social media, and other relevant details for the visit. This augmented reality signage approach not only enhances the functionality of the space but also ensures that all visitors, regardless of their needs, enjoy an inclusive and efficient experience in the coworking space.

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An Experimental Study on the Thermal Performance of Intensive Green Walls and Green Roofs in Temperate Continental Climatic Zones

2025 , Villacis Ormaza, Marcelo

Green facades and roofs are prevalent in various building typologies across most climatic regions. In warm contexts with the presence of cooling needs, numerous empirical and theoretical studies showcase the effectiveness of these systems in regulating the internal thermal conditions of spaces. The research addresses a gap in the literature concerning experiences with living green roof and green wall systems in cold climatic conditions. Considering the climate in Quito, characterized as a 4C type climate according to ASHRAE, which entails combined heating and cooling needs, this research aims to assess and compare the thermal performance through an empirical methodology based on the construction of two physical prototypes—one with vegetated elements and one without. Throughout the investigation, a comprehensive database of temperature and relative humidity records was compiled from four experiments conducted during both dry and rainy seasons. The findings of the experimental study indicate that these systems not only help in lowering temperatures during the day but also possess the capability to maintain temperatures during the night and early morning and addresses that during periods of heavy rainfall, yet the vegetated prototype exhibited consistent thermal performance, indicating resilience to adverse weather conditions. These findings suggest that green walls and roofs can maintain their effectiveness even in challenging weather scenarios.

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RF Energy Harvesting System Based on Spiral Logarithmic Dipole Rectenna Array

2023 , Cumbajín Alferez, Myriam , Sánchez, Patricio , Pillajo D. , Gordón C.

This paper presents the development, design, simulation and fabrication of a logarithmic spiral antenna array for the electromagnetic energy collection system independent of frequency, compact in microstrip technology, low cost and operating within a range of frequencies. 1 to 4 GHz, are designed using the CST Studio software that allows modeling and simulating essential parameters such as radiation lobes, VSWR, power, gain, parameter S11. From these simulations the printing is done on an RF4 substrate with a thickness of 1.6 mm, a dielectric constant of 4.4 and an input impedance of 50 Ω. The resonator structure antenna with dimensions of 190 × 210 mm. The frequencies obtained with the rectenna matrix, since it offers good performance for electromagnetic energy harvesting applications that operate in standard frequencies such as GSM, WiFi, LTE which are available in the environment and allows us to collect energy. To obtain electrical energy as part of the design of a frequency rectifier which is optimized with the application of the Schottky diode. In addition, its construction of the rectenna matrix was carried out based on the proposed design, then performance tests and validation of the prototype were carried out using the miniVNA Tiny spectrum verifier, and finally energy storage tests were carried out. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

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Rescue of Historical Natural Elements: Urban Design for the Recovery of “El Censo” Ravine in Quito, Ecuador

2024 , Zumárraga Salgado, María Daniela , Miniguano A.M.C. , Padilla M.J.U.

Quito has a wealth of natural elements that over time have been consolidated as an important part of the city's landscape, however, they are in a progressive deterioration due to the lack of awareness of all urban stakeholders. The El Censo ravine is one of the most important natural elements in the city center since it has a historical value related to productive economic activities, however, it is in constant deterioration. This research has two objectives: the first, to diagnose the current state of the ravine by applying the habitability index of the public space (qualitative and quantitative research approach) and the second, to propose an urban design project that seeks to rescue this natural space (exploratory research approach). As a result, it is found that the design of an active border of the ravine can become a dynamic and connecting element of the neighborhoods in the area, in addition to conserving biological diversity, encouraging the conversion of communities and reusing historical infrastructure to rescue the urban image of the area. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024.

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Tití App, an Interactive Psycho-Pedagogical Recovery Tool: A Pilot Study

2022 , Gordón J. , Caicedo, Andrés , Subia Arellano, Andrés

The acquisition of reading and writing is a complex and decisive process for the knowledge appropriation of children and their culturalization; similarly, the number of children who do not achieve the expected literacy level for their age and schooling is also a matter of concern. One of the explanations lies in the learning situation, which regularly develops in a classroom. Nowadays, the incorporation of new technologies that include smartphones and tablets as learning-enhancing resources is crucial. Due to the absence of contextualized tools for the Ecuadorian population, Tití application is proposed. It is focused on reducing the errors in children’s reading by solving tasks that are based on the errors determined in the literacy analysis test, TALE, in a contextualized and motivating digital scenario. The user-centered design is the basis for the construction of this tool with characteristics that are specific to Ecuador such as the use of the Spanish language in an Ecuadorian context, navigation on a map of Ecuador, and rescue of endangered endemic animals. This allows children to identify with their environment and engage in the dynamics of the tool. In the research, a repeated measures study design was applied to assess statistically significant differences between a first and second evaluation. A marked decrease in the number of errors in the elements of the TALE test can be observed. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

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Tiktok as a Learning Tool for Elementary School Students

2023 , Amaluisa Rendón, Paulina Magally , Espinosa-Pinos C.A. , Núñez-Torres M.G.

The large number of users of the social network Tiktok worldwide and the studies that demonstrate the advantages of its use in relation to its educational capacity encourage us to seek new ways of teaching. The present study was conducted at the Indoamerica Educational University in the city of Ambato-Ecuador during the 2021–2022 school year, comparing the motivation of students of General Basic Education: specifically, Basic Middle (Sublevel 3): fifth, sixth and seventh grade corresponding to boys and girls of 9, 10 and 11 years old respectively, and the use of Tiktok as a learning tool demonstrated in their academic performance. Group A has used Tiktok as a tool for the development of academic activities, while group B has not used it. A quantitative methodology was used with a descriptive-inferential procedure and a qualitative analysis through interviews with educators. A pre-test and a post-test were carried out to demonstrate the children's motivation at the end of the school year. It is confirmed that the children who used Tiktok as a learning tool consider themselves more motivated and show a greater dedication to the proposed subject matter than children who do not use it, which is evidenced in their academic record. On the other hand, the teachers interviewed expressed heterogeneous opinions. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

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ICT and Augmented Reality in Baños de Agua Santa-Ecuador, Tourist Attractions Generation

2024 , Oleas-Orozco, José , Jara Garzón, Patricia , Castillo F. , Amaluisa P.

Tourism in Ecuadorian context contributes to 2% GDP’s country, it has great potential for growth and exploitation thanks to geographical, natural, cultural, heritage and social factors, among others. These resources are very attractive for internal and external tourism. Baños de Agua Santa, is one of main destinations for local tourists and visitors. Its geographical location, climate and volcanic, mountainous and fluvial landforms have made the place a great interest tourist center. The natural attractions have given way to inhabitant’s initiative for man-made tourist attractions creation, a category part of World Tourism Organization UNWTO classification”. In this way, “Dinosaurs Park” analysis is presented, a theme park, man-made tourist place, which is mainly supported on ICT use, multimedia, offline web APPs and augmented reality AR, for playful learning experiences generation about prehistoric species not native from the area. The AR Through a mixed, quantitative and qualitative approach, information has been obtained on theme park visitors use and satisfaction showing over 90% of positive ratings. The AR applied in theme park, through mobile devices, shows information about prehistoric species, generating entertainment family experiences and significant knowledge in visitors. The results highlight the place's positive economic benefits since the post-pandemic economic reactivation. © 2024, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

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Smart Antenna Array for Optimal Electromagnetic Energy Capture

2023 , Cumbajín Alferez, Myriam , Sánchez, Patricio , Escobar E. , Gordón C.

Smart antennas are currently one of the most exploited fields in terms of wireless networks, allowing high data transmission capacities, this is achieved by focusing the radiation on the desired direction and adjusting to the environment and conditions in which communications are developed. Smart antennas employ a set of radiating and emitting and combining elements organized in the form of arrangements connected at a common point to guarantee the required power, the signals from these elements are combined to form a moving beam pattern that follows a pattern determined by the user or designer. The consumption of energy within communication systems is considered a big problem and a challenge when carrying out implementations in media where the storage or recharging of the end terminals is complicated by their location, this trend grows with the presence of the Internet of the IoT things, where it is directly dependent on the construction of a large wireless network that allows everything to be interconnected, for this reason there are investigations in the 2.4 and 5.8 GHz bands and represents future work for the 5th Generation (5G) cell phone. The great possibility of collecting electromagnetic energy from densely populated urban areas becomes a great renewable source of power for communication devices for both existing Wi-Fi technology and new technologies such as the 5G network. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

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The extensive green facade as a means of production and recovery of biodiversity in urban highland areas of Ecuador

2023 , Moya Vicuña, Susana

Green infrastructures have great potential to promote a productive system, which allows the development of a circular metabolism, as well as the protection and conservation of a biodiversity part. The present observation-based study seeks to analyze the potential productive and biodiversity benefits of a "traditional" extensive green wall located in Conocoto parish in Quitós city, Ecuador. For this purpose, the characteristics of the environment, the plant, and the conditions of its development are described in detail. The results provide recommendations for the design, maintenance, and application of extensive green walls in neotropical mountain climatic conditions, through the use of endemic Andean plants of a productive type, in this case the Passiflora mollisima, also commonly called "Taxo". © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.