Ciudades y Comunidades Sostenibles

Researchers from FICT and technicians from EPAMIL have formed a partnership to advance the ECU7010 project, which will apply isotopic techniques to the study of the Chobo aquifer in order to strengthen groundwater monitoring. This collaboration will generate scientific information to support sustainable water resource management and improve decision-making regarding the drinking water supply in Milagro.

Walter Hurtares Orrala, an engineer and professor at FICT–ESPOL, participated in El Foro Tech to explain how civil engineering and structural monitoring technologies help reduce seismic risk and strengthen building safety. During the interview, he highlighted the importance of earthquake-resistant design, updating codes, and using innovative tools to build more resilient cities.

Researchers from ESPOL and the Polytechnic University of Catalonia developed a method for transforming automotive shredder waste into lightweight aggregates for structural concrete. Published in a Q1/D1 scientific journal, the study promotes the circular economy and the development of sustainable materials for the construction industry.

FICT hosted the first biannual meeting of the project “Assessment of the Volcanic Risk Index in Ecuador,” where ESPOL-TECH and the National Secretariat for Risk Management presented the methodological and technical progress of the research. The initiative strengthens cooperation between academia and the public sector to develop geospatial tools that support volcanic risk management and land-use planning.

Researchers received the Best Paper Award at IEEE TEMSCON LATAM 2026 for their research on construction methods, solidifying ESPOL’s presence at a leading international conference; they also presented studies on community water management and innovation and strengthened scientific partnerships to advance new applied research projects.

FICT–ESPOL hosted the Ecuadorian Council for Sustainable Building (CEES) to strengthen inter-institutional cooperation in areas such as sustainable construction, resilience, water management, and research. The meeting made it possible to establish a joint work agenda focused on developing projects, training programs, and activities with academic and social impact.

Researchers and students from FICT participated in the 9th Earth Sciences Conference, presenting studies on water management, geological hazards, and volcanic dynamics in the Galápagos Islands. The research provides tools for sustainable planning, natural hazard management, and decision-making based on scientific evidence, strengthening ESPOL’s presence in one of the country’s leading forums for scientific dissemination.

FICT has launched a technical-scientific collaboration with the Real Alto archaeological project to apply geological and geotechnical tools to the study of one of Ecuador’s most important heritage sites. The partnership includes specialized analyses conducted in the faculty’s laboratories and a technical visit to the site, with the goal of providing scientific information to strengthen archaeological research and the conservation of cultural heritage.

Researchers from the Geoinformation and Remote Sensing Laboratory at FICT-ESPOL were awarded an international CAPES fellowship to pursue doctoral studies in Brazil, thereby strengthening their expertise in remote sensing, geoinformation, and environmental monitoring; this achievement promotes academic internationalization and scientific cooperation between Ecuador and Brazil for the development of innovative solutions in land management and sustainability.