Ciudades y Comunidades Sostenibles

ESPOL, through FICT, seeks to promote a strategic alliance aimed at strengthening access to drinking water and sanitation in Ecuador. The initiative seeks to coordinate efforts between academia, the public sector, and technical actors to develop sustainable solutions, promote applied research, and support decision-making, contributing to improving the quality of life and the efficient management of water resources in the country.

A research professor from the Faculty of Earth Sciences Engineering at the Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral participated in a technical visit on January 27, 2026, to the APESPOL residential sector in Ayangue, with the aim of initiating a cooperation project focused on road, health, and environmental management.

Civil Engineering students from FICT–ESPOL carried out a technical visit to major urban road projects in Guayaquil as part of the course Installations, strengthening their practical learning through direct observation of construction processes, project management, and the impact of engineering on mobility and sustainable urban development.

FICT-ESPOL held the keynote lecture 'Road Drainage and Resilience in Pavement Design' for Civil Engineering students, delivered by specialist Alberto Jarrín. The event bridged university theory with professional practice, analyzing runoff management and the design of climate-resilient infrastructure to ensure the durability and safety of the country’s roads.

ESPOL’s FICT is gearing up for THE FINAL PITCH, an academic event where five finalist Capstone Projects from the Petroleum Engineering, Mining Engineering, and Civil Engineering programs will showcase their ability to communicate innovative proposals that address real-world national challenges. The event aims to strengthen communication, argumentation, and presentation skills, promoting innovation and the comprehensive training of future professionals.

Master of Civil Engineering students from FICT–ESPOL participated in a technical site visit to the 'La Toma' Raw Water Pumping Station in Guayaquil to study the SAICA Network’s infrastructure and its real-time quality monitoring systems. The visit served to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical application, enhancing technical competencies and exposing students to the operational management of large-scale water supply networks.

FICT–ESPOL researchers conducted a field trip to the Minas San Francisco Power Plant to carry out geoelectrical studies focused on subsurface characterization and geotechnical risk management. During the visit, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) tests and vertical electrical soundings (VES) were performed. The results will provide key information for technical decision-making, water seepage control, and the safety of the energy infrastructure.

FICT-ESPOL successfully hosted the 5MinPitch PAO II 2025 semifinals, where students from Geological Engineering, Mining Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, and Civil Engineering presented their capstone projects in five minutes before a specialized jury. This initiative strengthened communication skills and technical argumentation, leading to the selection of five finalist projects focused on solving real-world engineering challenges.

FICT researcher Divar Castro Rodas, M.Sc., received the award for Best Oral Presentation at The 2nd International Electronic Conference on Land, organized by MDPI Land magazine. His work presented a comparative analysis of supervised classification algorithms applied to land use and land cover in Guayaquil, highlighting the scientific contribution of FICT and ESPOL in the international academic arena.

From January 14 to 17, 2026, a multidisciplinary team led by M.Sc. Kenny Escobar Segovia installed corner reflectors in the Paute sector, Azuay, to calibrate Sentinel-1 satellite signals and monitor ground deformation using DInSAR technology. This strategic initiative aims to ensure the stability of the Paute Integral Hydroelectric Complex and the safety of surrounding communities, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals to strengthen infrastructure and risk management in Ecuador.