Resources to facilitate mobility in Cuenca's Historical Center

Some of the objectives of the non-reimbursable technical cooperation agreement subscribed between CAF, Development Bank of Latin America, and the Autonomous Decentralized Municipal Government of the Canton of Cuenca, are to generate a system of public spaces integrated to the mobility system of the Cuenca center, incorporating trams and other transportation systems, and facilitating accessibility between the area of El Barranco and the Historical Center. 

Bernardo Requena, CAF's Director Representative in Ecuador, highlighted that the project seeks to improve the quality of life of people by means of improving mobility, measured as the time it takes to go from one place to another, access to the available green spaces, and the ease to use  pedestrian corridors or bike routes. 

At the same time, Marcelo Cabrera, Mayor of Cuenca, stated that the project will eliminate the inadequate integration of motorized and non-motorized transportation systems with the public space, which directly affects the commercial and social dynamics of the historical center. 

The project considers the preparation of feasibility and final design studies to consolidate the systemic functioning of the public spaces, which currently function separately. 

An intervention is also foreseen for the area of El Barranco and the tram's central corridor, an interconnection between the south and north of the city, cross-cutting corridors, alternative mobility routes, and a plan for friendly pedestrian routes, among others.   

The deadline for the implementation of this technical cooperation will be 12 months, and the task of hiring consultants will be in charge of the Municipality of Cuenca.