Ciudades y Comunidades Sostenibles

FICT-ESPOL and the Jujan GAD (Alfredo Baquerizo Moreno canton) have launched a technical cooperation phase following the signing of an inter-institutional agreement. During this first working meeting, territorial needs were analyzed to structure projects focused on risk management and flood mitigation. Through this alliance, the Faculty reaffirms its commitment to community engagement, putting its scientific capacity and expertise at the service of territorial resilience and the sustainable development of the locality.

ESPOL’s FICT welcomed Luke Bockelmann, a student from Universidad del Norte (Colombia), to share innovations in pavement diagnostics through video processing. This technical and academic activity optimizes road conservation while strengthening the Faculty’s internationalization and global collaboration indicators.

A top-decile (Q1) scientific study analyzes 24 sub-watersheds on Santa Cruz Island (Galápagos) to prioritize those with the most favorable conditions for sustainable water management and agriculture, identifying five key watersheds with high water-retention capacity. Published in Environmental & Sustainability Indicators, the study provides high-impact scientific evidence to support territorial planning and climate change adaptation in volcanic island environments.

Ecuador faces significant risks to public health and the economy due to its high volcanic activity, particularly from ash fall. The study proposes an integrated One Health approach to strengthen risk management and the health system’s response.

Geology students from ESPOL carried out a field trip to the Zaruma–Portovelo mining district, where they strengthened their knowledge through the observation of real geological conditions and rock mass analysis, highlighting the value of practical training and responsible mining.

Joint project with the National Secretariat for Risk Management to assess the Volcanic Risk Index in Ecuador, develop a geospatial platform, and strengthen prevention and risk management related to the country’s active volcanoes.

The closing ceremony of the ADITEC Chair 2025 marked the conclusion of a technical training program in concrete technology developed by Aditec Ecuatoriana and ESPOL. The program comprised seven modules and sixteen academic hours, aimed at strengthening the competencies of future engineers through a practical, industry-linked approach.

Based on Karla Villamar's master's thesis (ESPOL), a study published in the journal Groundwater for Sustainable Development reveals that mining and urbanization in Santa Rosa, El Oro, have contaminated streams and altered the chemical composition of water reaching local communities. This research, conducted by FICT experts alongside Slovakian colleagues, provides key scientific evidence to improve water management, protect public health, and promote sustainability in mining areas.

Professor Natividad García Troncoso received an Honorable Mention at the 2025 Sustainable Construction Awards for her project “Cemented Bahareque for Social Housing,” an innovative and sustainable proposal that provides seismic-resistant solutions for affordable housing. This recognition highlights her scientific contribution and ESPOL’s commitment to innovation and sustainable development.

FICT actively participated in the Second Provincial Climate Change Forum 2025 in Guayaquil, where Dean Ing. Paúl Carrión, Ph.D., served as a panelist on water funds, and researcher Ing. Emily Sánchez moderated the Productivity segment. The event brought together experts, authorities, and local stakeholders to address solutions for climate adaptation, mitigation, and management, strengthening collaboration between academia, the public sector, and society.