Options
Ortiz, Daniela
Extensive Green Facades as an Alternative to the Lack of Urban Greenery
Methodology for the Implementation of a Management Model as a Tool for Improvement in Popular Neighborhoods of Ecuador
2025
,
Moya Vicuña, Susana
,
Ortiz, Daniela
The accelerated process of urbanization has intensified the loss of natural green areas, directly affecting the quality of life in cities. Semi-natural infrastructures, such as green facades, do not replace natural ecosystems but can mitigate their impacts by providing ecosystem services. This study is based on the hypothesis that the implementation of self-built extensive green facades, using local substrates and a mixture of native and adapted species, constitutes an accessible alternative that urban residents can construct and maintain themselves. Within this framework, the research 2 question is posed: How does the combination of support system type and plant species influence the ecological performance of extensive green facades in Andean urban contexts? Which climatic and construction-related factors determine the economic viability and ease of maintenance and self-construction of extensive green facades? The article is structured in two phases: first, a theoretical review of recent literature on extensive green facades, and second, an experimental phase involving self-built modules implemented in the city of Quito. The results show that, at least under the described climatic conditions—characterized by high solar radiation, prolonged water deficit, and wind gusts reaching up to 4.2 m/s—the selected plant species (Common Ivy, Passiflora mixta, and Pyrostegia venusta) achieved similar coverage levels during the study period, ranging from 30% to 20% between months 3 and 7, with installation costs below 41 USD per square meter. These findings highlight the feasibility of affordable systems for urban greening and their potential role in promoting resilient and inclusive development, particularly in highly variable Andean climates. However, further research is needed to assess their long-term impact on urban biodiversity, as well as their sustained structural and ecological performance over time.
2023
,
Ortiz, Daniela
,
Zumárraga Salgado, MarÃa Daniela
This research shows the methodology to be implemented in a development project of a tool for the management of popular neighborhoods in the city of Quito, this Management Model approach is based on the international standard ISO 9001 - 2015, together with the active participation of the Pro-Improvements Committee of Sector "C"in the Carcelen Urbanization of Quito, as a first stage in the development of the parameters to be considered for the execution of this tool. At present, the reality of the neighborhood administration of the different organizations is developed based on the "empirical"experience, that is, with the intention of improvement on the part of its managers. The main objective when developing this tool is to provide an easy, friendly and intuitive mechanism to social leaders, allowing them to ensure an assertive planning, development and control of their initiatives for the benefit of the community, evidencing their processes in a clear and efficient way. In the process of this stage, an exploratory inquiry methodology is used, which combines the approaches of both the guidelines of the ISO 9001 standard, as well as the nature of the organization for the development of the five stages proposed by this research: a) Definition of the organization, b) Identification and definition of processes, c) Definition of intervention, d) Management system, and, e) Socialization and validation, which allow building a simple management model. Finally, in the development of this series of processes and instructions, a programmed element is proposed for the simple use of the model, this element will be tested as a case study. With the results of this methodology, the management system will be developed and strategies will be implemented in the study to provide constant feedback to the processes in order to enter the continuous improvement cycle. © 2023 IEEE.