Copyright by Rosa Elena Donoso Gómez 2008
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Copyright by Rosa Elena Donoso Gómez 2008 A Case Study of Housing Programs in the Historic Center of Quito: The Need for Planning Direction (1990-2007) by Rosa Elena Donoso Gómez, Arch. Thesis Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of The University of Texas at Austin in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Community and Regional Planning The University of Texas at Austin May 2008 Housing Programs in the Historic Center of Quito: Case Studies in the Need for Planning Direction, 1990-2007 Approved by Supervising Committee: Elizabeth Mueller Peter M. Ward Dedication For the healthy urban and human development of the Historic Center of Quito For its residents and policy makers Acknowledgements First, I would like to thank two people that are part of my life and that allowed me to learn from and enjoy the Historic Center: my mother, because she was the person who introduced me to the Center’s life, and Simeon for sharing with me the honor and joy of being Historic Center residents. Second, I would like to thank to my advisors Dr. Elizabeth Mueller and Dr. Peter Ward because during their classes and during the writing process of this report I learned about the scope of the affordable housing problem not only in Latin America but also in the United States. In those classes and during our conversations I learned about the importance of good housing analysis to the design of housing policy and about the large scope of the housing problem in the world. Finally I would like to thank different institutions that made this research possible: the UT School of Architecture’s Mebane Travel Scholarship, the Municipality of Quito planning department, the office of QUITOVIVIENDA, EMDUQ and the Junta de Andalucía. Thanks. May 2nd. , 2008 v Abstract Housing Programs in the Historic Center of Quito: Case Studies in the Need for Planning Direction, 1990-2007 Rosa Elena Donoso Gómez, M.S.C.R.P. The University of Texas at Austin, 2008 Supervisor: Elizabeth Mueller Since the 1990’s, the Historic Center of Quito (HCQ) has been the center of a pioneering urban renewal experiment in Latin America (Rojas, 2004). The local government implemented a series of housing programs to help improve low-income overcrowded living conditions, increase the resident population and protect the patrimonial structures. These policies are relevant to current global trends aimed at historic centers as new places to live, invest or attract tourism. This report will examine the housing policy and its implementation in the context of Quito’s overarching planning and development strategies. In particular, the paper will focus on the programs (1) “Casa de los Siete Patios ”, (2) “ Vivienda Solidaria ” and (3) “Pon a punto tu casa,”. By examining the planning and social policies behind the programs, related financial constraints, issues of gentrification, and consistency with the vi Quito Historic Center Comprehensive Plan, the report will look for coherent housing policies to apply to the current urban and population environment. Using data from field research such as interviews and document review, I will analyze the benefits and deficiencies of these programs. Published data states that 70 percent of the total numbers of housing units in the HCQ are rented by low income populations (INEC-Census 2001); however, the current planning approach seems to ignore this trend and is reducing the possibility for low and middle income inhabitants to maintain their residence due to rising land prices and rents. This analysis will produce constructive policy critiques and provide recommendations for housing policy formulation and improvement. vii Table of Contents List of Tables .......................................................................................................... x List of Figures........................................................................................................ xi Acronyms and Abbreviations .............................................................................. xiii Preface.................................................................................................................. xiv Chapter 1: The Driving Question............................................................................1 1.1. Research question ....................................................................................3 Historic Center Global Trends...............................................................5 Exemplary Historic Center’s Housing Programs...................................9 Low-income housing renewal (PRHP); Mexico City.................11 RECUP-BOCA; Buenos Aires ...................................................14 Repoblamiento de La Comuna; Santiago ...................................17 Housing rehabilitation, Pilot program; Cuzco ............................21 Conclusion and Follow up ..........................................................23 1.2 Research Methods of Data Collection ....................................................25 Field Work ...........................................................................................25 Thematic areas of Analysis..................................................................27 1.3. Conclusion .............................................................................................30 Chapter 2: Urban Development Conditions and Planning....................................35 2.1 Land, Housing and Demographic Review..............................................38 2.2 Plans and Policy......................................................................................50 Quito Comprehensive Plans.................................................................52 National Housing Policy: SIV .............................................................61 2.3 Conclusion ..............................................................................................66 Chapter 3: “House of the Seven Patios” ................................................................70 3.1 Introduction.............................................................................................70 3.2 Planning Process, identification of needs and design methodology.......72 Political and Planning Trends ..............................................................72 viii Planning Process and Assessment of needs.........................................78 3.3 Program Outcomes..................................................................................90 3.4 Conclusion ..............................................................................................94 Chapter 4: “ Vivienda Solidaria ” Program .............................................................97 4.1 Introduction.............................................................................................97 4.2 Planning process, identification of needs and design methodology .....100 Political and Planning Trends ............................................................100 Planning Process and assessment of needs ........................................105 4.3 Program Outcomes................................................................................121 4.4 Conclusion ............................................................................................129 Chapter 5: “ Pon a Punto tu Casa” Program........................................................131 5.1 Introduction...........................................................................................131 5.2 Planning process, identification of needs and design methodology .....134 Political and Planning Trends ............................................................134 Planning Process and assessment of needs ........................................138 5.3 Program Outcomes................................................................................142 5.4 Conclusion ............................................................................................148 Chapter 6: Conclusion..........................................................................................153 6.1 Recommendations:................................................................................160 a. Urban Economics...........................................................................160 b. Municipal Powers: .........................................................................161 c. Information:....................................................................................162 d. Sustainability: ................................................................................165 e. Inclusionary Housing Market.........................................................168 Appendix A..........................................................................................................172 References............................................................................................................178 Vita.......................................................................................................................186 ix List of Tables Table 1.2.1. List of Strategic Housing Programs..................................................26 Table 2.1 Quito Demographic Data.......................................................................36 Table 2.1.1: Population holders of Vouchers in the HCQ. ....................................43 Table 2.1.2: Homogeneous Areas and Land Prices ...............................................46 Table 2.1.3: Housing Stock....................................................................................48