Cultural Heritage, Leisure and Tourism: Analysis of consensus and disputes for the use and enjoyment of public space in the Historic Center of Cuenca, Ecuador

The present investigation explores the consensus and disputes for the use and enjoyment of the public space in the Historic Center of Cuenca, Ecuador, recognized as Cultural Heritage of Humanity, but paradoxically, threatened by the commercialization of cultural heritage and acrititical tourism. After the Pandemia for COVID-19, efforts to promote economic reactivation have relieved the discussion about the use and enjoyment of public spaces in these privileged areas and has become a priority issue for municipal management. The preliminary results of the monitoring of use of these spaces, show a growing trend for accessing these spaces by tourist ventures, which are confronted with human groups and economic activities qualified as informal, among others such as residents that fight in scenarios of inequality and exclusion. This research seeks to determine adapted guidelines and recommendations, to guarantee democratization of the use and enjoy Sustainable "where culture and heritage can play a fundamental role.

20th UNIVERSITY RESEARCH PROJECT COMPETITION