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URBAN GROWTH AND VULNERABILITY TO CLIMATE CHANGE OF THE QUEVEDO CONURBATION, ECUADOR

Abstract:

Climate change is a global challenge with uneven impact. In Ecuador, the Quevedo Canton, due to its geographical location and topographical characteristics, is vulnerable to climate risks. This study identified the vulnerability to climate change linked to urban growth in the Quevedo Canton. Geographic information system (GIS) tools were used to generate maps of threat, exposure, sensitivity, adaptation, and climate risk through a quasi-experimental design and a quantitative approach. The results indicate a high overall climate risk, with 32.62% of the territory being highly exposed, particularly in areas with steep slopes. Areas with high sensitivity and low adaptive capacity are mainly rural and peripheral. In conclusion, population growth leads to unplanned urban expansion, resulting in adverse environmental impacts, including degradation of vegetation cover, which reduces ecological resilience and the provision of ecosystem services. This increases exposure and sensitivity (associated with inadequate infrastructure) and reduces adaptive capacity. It is proposed to improve drainage infrastructure, build more resilient housing, implement climate change education and training programs, and promote nature-based solutions.