The urban industrial growth of Quito: from neoliberalism to 21st century socialism

Abstract

The emergence of urban-industrial zones in Quito is the result of complex social, political, economic and territorial processes which, since the 80s, have operated based on currently valid development models. The objective of this study is to analyze the characteristics of growth, expansion and consolidation of the urban-industrial zones in Quito based on those mentioned models in the last 30 years (from neoliberalism to 21st century socialism). A mixed approach was methodologically followed for the analysis of juridical and legislative documents, whose content was qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by the use of satellite mapping, field study and photography. Finally, the impact of the urban on the industrial and vice versa was characterized. The results of this study show that the incompatibility of land use, between residential and industrial, contradict the logic of rightful access to the city.