Publications
Chinchero as Tourism Hub and Green Corridor as a Social Integrator in Cusco Peru 2023
A proposed urban green corridor in Chinchero, Cusco, Peru, offers a solution to integrate social and ecological dimensions amid rising tourism pressures. This design addresses challenges like infrastructure gaps, gentrification, and uncontrolled urban growth by creating seven interconnected sectors along the Piuray lagoon, blending public spaces with cultural, sports, and recreational facilities. The corridor aims to foster social cohesion and territorial belonging while balancing environmental, archaeological, and tourism development. Digital tools such as Blender and AutoCAD were employed to analyze topography, climate, and biodiversity, underpinning the proposal's feasibility.
Design of a Green Corridor and the Revitalization of the Huatanay River, City of Cuzco, Peru—2024
A green corridor design for Cuzco, Peru, demonstrates significant ecological energy efficiency by leveraging natural resources to generate 13 kWh/day of energy through biodigesters, with 70% of the area dedicated to green spaces and 30% to public areas. This approach optimizes the revitalization of the Huatanay River by restoring its course, reforesting its banks, and creating recreational zones, thereby enhancing biodiversity while addressing urban expansion's environmental impact. The study utilized a four-stage methodology involving literature analysis, environmental data assessment (using tools like Climate Consultant and SIGRID), project implementation, and comparative discussion with existing literature. This design serves as a model for sustainable urban development in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Green Corridors and Social Connectivity with a Sustainable Approach in the City of Cuzco in Peru
A proposed green corridor design for the City of Cuzco, Peru, aims to serve as an ecological lung, addressing uncontrolled urban development and a shortage of green areas that negatively impact quality of life. The study highlights the importance of balanced resource management and social organization in sustainable urban planning. Using methods such as literature review, urban analysis, and climate analysis supported by digital tools, the proposal includes 69.96% green areas for recreation, biolakes (3.18%) for environmental quality, a botanical zone (18.14%) with diverse plant species, a convention area (9.7%) for community activities, and a cultural zone (0.98%) for artistic exhibitions. This multifunctional approach seeks to counteract urban expansion, environmental degradation, and social alienation while promoting climate regulation and biodiversity. The absence of such strategies could compromise development and quality of life in Cuzco.
Assessment of Present and Future Water Security under Anthropogenic and Climate Changes Using WEAP Model in the Vilcanota-Urubamba Catchment, Cusco, Perú
A critical gap between water availability and demand emerges by 2050 in the Vilcanota-Urubamba (VUB) catchment, Cusco, Peru, due to climate change and socio-economic pressures. Despite projected increases in water supply under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios, unmet demand rises sharply—reaching 477 hm³/year by 2099 (RCP 4.5) and 446 hm³/year (RCP 8.5). Strategic management, such as reducing population growth and improving irrigation efficiency, can slash this deficit by up to 50% in all sub-basins. The study used the WEAP model, calibrated with Pisac hydrometric data (1987–2016), to simulate current (2010–2016) and future water security under varying scenarios. While present-day demand is met, long-term projections reveal uneven distribution of resources, underscoring the urgency of adaptive water governance in UNESCO-listed Cuzco.
Disorders in Peru.-March to Cuzco.-Encounter with the Natives.—Challcuchima Burnt.-Arrival in Cuzco.—Description of the City.-Treasure Found There. (1533-1534.)
The death of Atahuallpa, the Inca sovereign, marked a pivotal shift in Peruvian history, signaling the end of the Inca dynasty and the establishment of Spanish dominance. This study examines the political and social repercussions of Atahuallpa's execution, highlighting how his demise disrupted the stability of the Inca state and legitimized foreign rule. The research delves into primary historical accounts from 1533-1534, including Prescott's observations on the march to Cuzco, encounters with natives, and the discovery of treasure, providing a detailed narrative of this transformative period. By analyzing these firsthand descriptions, the study offers insights into the collapse of Inca authority and the transition to Spanish colonial rule.
Holocene Earthquakes on the Tambomachay Fault near Cusco, Central Andes
Research reveals that the Tambomachay Fault near Cusco, Peru, has experienced multiple Holocene earthquakes with significant seismic activity. Analysis of fault scarps and moraine crests indicates a mean throw of 4.3 ± 0.4 meters, with cosmogenic surface-exposure dating suggesting a Holocene-average slip rate of 0.3 ± 0.1 mm/yr. Trench excavations combined with radiocarbon dating identified three surface-rupturing earthquakes occurring between 8.5 and 0.9 ka, all predating Inca times. These events likely had moment magnitudes of Mw 6.4-6.9, posing a substantial seismic hazard to modern-day Cusco, which has a population of 500,000.
Interpretation Center for the Revaluation of Flora and Fauna in Cusco, Perú
A proposed architectural design for an Interpretation Center in Cusco, Peru, aims to revalue the region's endemic flora and fauna through bioclimatic strategies and sustainable urban planning. The project addresses critical threats such as deforestation, water pollution, and invasive species by integrating green spaces covering 51% of the total area, which will enhance carbon dioxide absorption and restore ecological networks like the Huantanay River. Researchers employed climatic analysis, flora-fauna characterization, and software tools (AutoCAD, Revit, 3D Sun-path) to develop a design rooted in Inca worldview principles and aligned with Sustainable Development Goals. The feasibility of this approach was validated by comparing it to successful international projects like the Sydney Water Restoration Project and Ataria Nature Interpretation Center.
Review: Cuzco: Incas, Spaniards, and the Making of a Colonial City
Michael J. Schreffler's book, Cuzco: Incas, Spaniards, and the Making of a Colonial City, challenges conventional narratives by focusing on the intellectual structuring of Cuzco rather than its physical transformation during the colonial period. Unlike typical architectural studies, this work delves into how Spanish invaders and settlers conceptualized Cuzco's layout and significance before major construction began, revealing the cognitive and symbolic dimensions of urban planning in the early colonial era. Schreffler's approach combines historical analysis with spatial interpretation, using ground plans and schematic city maps to illustrate the contrast between Inca and Spanish urban visions. The book highlights the interplay of indigenous and colonial ideologies in shaping Cuzco's identity, offering a nuanced perspective on its evolution as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Trombe walls with porous medium insertion and their influence on thermal comfort in flats in Cusco, Peru
A modified Trombe wall with porous medium insertion significantly improves thermal comfort in flats in Cusco, Peru, reaching an average Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) of +0.10 and an indoor temperature of 21.90°C during the coldest months. This innovation outperforms traditional Trombe walls and non-Trombe scenarios, offering an efficient, eco-sustainable heating solution for high Andean regions prone to frosts. The study used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to analyze three flat prototypes (55 m², 75 m², and 95 m²) over six months, demonstrating the potential of this passive heating system to mitigate cold-related discomfort in residential buildings.
Archaeological heritage ‘on-the-rise’: detecting emerging tourist attractions in Peru using machine learning and geotagged photographs
A novel approach using machine learning and geotagged photographs from Flickr identifies emerging archaeological tourist attractions in Peru, many of which are unmonitored due to their open-access nature. This study highlights 'on-the-rise' sites accessible from five Peruvian cities, offering a scalable method for global application. By analyzing large-scale internet photo datasets, researchers detected patterns that could predict future over-tourism risks, such as pollution and destruction, at these lesser-known heritage locations. The findings underscore the need for targeted conservation efforts and sustainable tourism planning to mitigate potential damage as tourist itineraries expand beyond traditional sites like those in Cuzco.
Characterization of starches obtained from several native potato varieties grown in Cusco (Peru)
Research on ten native potato varieties from Cusco, Peru, reveals subtle but significant variations in starch properties, highlighting their potential as nonconventional starch sources for the food industry. The study analyzed physicochemical, functional, morphological, and structural characteristics of extracted starches, finding protein content (0.1% to 0.44%), amylose levels (23.42% to 35.5%), and phosphorus content (0.07 to 0.10%). Starch granules exhibited smooth surfaces with ellipsoidal or spherical shapes, while particle size distributions were bimodal or multimodal. Gelatinization temperatures ranged from 57.4°C to 71.1°C, with enthalpies between 15.4 and 17.1 J/g. Pasting properties showed peak viscosities of 12,970 to 16,970 mPa⋅s and setback viscosities of 968 to 2498 mPa⋅s. No significant correlation was found between amylose content and thermal stability. These findings underscore the unique functional characteristics of Cusco's native potato starches, offering valuable insights for industrial applications.
Corporate social responsibility in luxury hotels in Cusco (Peru) to benefit indigenous communities
Luxury hotels in Cusco, Peru, are increasingly engaging in corporate social responsibility (CSR) actions to benefit indigenous Quechua communities, though challenges persist. While there is a growing commitment among hotel representatives to support local communities through education, training, health projects, and fair-trade supplier partnerships, a key hurdle remains the time required to overcome sociocultural barriers and build strong relationships with community members. The study highlights diverse CSR approaches, including philanthropic activities, demonstrating how the hospitality sector can contribute to societal betterment while emphasizing the need for more consistent and structured efforts in this area.
Cusco: Profile of an Andean city
Cusco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site nestled in the South American Andes, exemplifies the complex interplay between tourism-driven urbanization and cultural preservation. The study reveals that while tourism has transformed Cusco into Peru's 'tourist capital,' it also paradoxically threatens its economic foundation by fueling exclusive real-estate development. This demand for exclusivity and aesthetic mountain landscapes, driven by global urbanization, leads to fragmented leisure landscapes that both include and exclude, challenging local policies to reconcile dichotomies of authenticity, safety, and sustainability.
Cuzco: Incas, Spaniards, and the Making of a Colonial City
Cuzco's transformation from an Inca capital to a Spanish colonial city between 1534 and 1560 is meticulously reconstructed through firsthand accounts, official documents, and archaeological evidence. Unlike previous studies that focused on post-earthquake architecture, this research illuminates the city's transition during its formative years, revealing how Spanish rule reshaped Inca structures like the House of the Sun (Coricancha) into symbolic colonial landmarks, such as the Dominican convent. The study leverages primary sources from chroniclers like Juan de Betanzos and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega to trace urban changes, including the 1536–37 siege by Manco Inca and subsequent civil wars. While it lacks detailed topographical plans or distinctions between existing and hypothetical Inca walls, its rigorous analysis bridges art history and literary history, offering a nuanced account of Cuzco's layered past.
Risk factors for acute mountain sickness in travellers to Cusco, Peru: coca leaves, obesity and sex
Two out of five travelers to Cusco, Peru, experienced acute mountain sickness (AMS) within the first 48 hours at 3,350 meters altitude. Obesity and female sex significantly increased the risk, while acetazolamide prophylaxis reduced it. A cohort study of 142 young, healthy Spanish-language students found that traditional coca leaf tea consumption did not mitigate AMS risk. The research used enrollment questionnaires to assess preventive behaviors and symptoms, applying the Lake Louise Scoring System for diagnosis. Findings highlight obesity and sex as key risk factors while validating acetazolamide's efficacy in AMS prevention.
Use of medicinal plants for COVID-19 prevention and respiratory symptom treatment during the pandemic in Cusco, Peru: A cross-sectional survey
During the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant portion of the population in Cusco, Peru, turned to medicinal plants for both prevention and treatment of respiratory symptoms. A cross-sectional survey involving 1,747 respondents revealed that 80.2% used plants preventively, while 71% used them therapeutically. Key plants included eucalyptus, ginger, spiked pepper, garlic, and chamomile, with their usage significantly influenced by factors such as age, education level, and personal or familial history of COVID-19. Notably, individuals with higher education levels were less likely to use medicinal plants for treatment, while older adults and those with a family member or friend infected with COVID-19 were more inclined to use them preventively. This study highlights the cultural and practical significance of traditional medicine in response to pandemic-related health challenges.
A Lost City and its Time Machine: Vision and Affect in Rail Travel to Machu Picchu
Rail travel to Machu Picchu functions as a 'time machine,' transporting tourists back in time and reinforcing the myth of lost cities, discovery, and dispossession. This study reveals how rail journeys capitalize on historic and cultural imaginings of Machu Picchu, transforming visitors into explorers through vision and affect. The research combines archival analysis with ethnographic fieldwork conducted in Cuzco and at Machu Picchu to demonstrate the integral role of transportation in shaping the tourist experience at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Local Trade And Pottery Production In The Cusco Region Before And During The Wari Expansion
A study of the Cusco region reveals that local pottery production and trade persisted largely unaffected by the Wari state expansion, challenging the assumption that early expansionist states overwhelm pre-existing social networks. Researchers analyzed distribution data from regional surveys and excavation findings at the village site of Ak’awillay to reconstruct the circulation of a locally-produced polychrome pottery style called Muyu Urqu before and after Wari's arrival. The findings contribute to understanding local responses to Tiwanaku and Wari expansionism during the Middle Horizon (600–1000 CE) in the South-Central Andes, highlighting the resilience of local traditions despite external influences.
Los santuarios religiosos en la economía regional andina (Cusco)
Religious sanctuaries in the Andean region of Cusco, Peru, play a dual role as centers of devotion and integral components of traditional economic systems. These sanctuaries, along with their associated festivals and religious calendars, form what researchers term 'economic-religious complexes,' which are deeply rooted in both pre-Hispanic and colonial social structures. The study reveals that these complexes shape the geography of production and exchange among local communities, illustrating a historical interplay between religious practice and economic activity. By analyzing the spatial and functional relationships between sanctuaries, festivals, and territorial organization, the research demonstrates how sacred spaces and pilgrimage movements have sustained and structured regional economies for centuries.
LXXVII. About how Soto and Gabriel de Rojas arrived in Cuzco, and how Pizarro left that city and the things that he did until he descended to the plains after abandoning the city of Jauja
Historical accounts detail the arrival of Soto and Gabriel de Rojas in Cuzco, alongside Francisco Pizarro's departure from the city and subsequent actions. The narrative captures critical moments during the Spanish conquest of Peru, including Pizarro's strategic retreat after abandoning Jauja, his descent to the plains, and the broader implications for the region's political and social landscape. This chapter provides a vivid portrayal of the complexities and challenges faced by the conquistadors, offering insights into their tactics, alliances, and conflicts with local populations. Published in 'The Discovery and Conquest of Peru,' this account remains a key source for understanding the early phases of Spanish colonization in South America.
LXXXII. About how Don Francisco Pizarro sent Verdugo to Cuzco with powers for his brother Juan Pizarro to have the lieutenancy of the city, and about the discussions that took place there, and what else happened
A historical account details the strategic maneuver by Don Francisco Pizarro, who dispatched Verdugo to Cuzco with authority to grant his brother Juan Pizarro the lieutenancy of the city. This action marked a pivotal moment in the consolidation of Spanish control over Cuzco during the early colonial period. The narrative captures the political dynamics and discussions that unfolded within the city, offering insights into the power struggles and governance strategies employed by the Pizarro brothers. Published as part of 'The Discovery and Conquest of Peru,' this excerpt provides a firsthand perspective on the complexities of establishing Spanish rule in the region.
LXXXIII. About how Don Francisco Pizarro returned to the City of the Kings, then left to go to the city of Cuzco when he learned of the things that were happening there
A historical analysis reveals the strategic decisions of Francisco Pizarro, who returned to the City of the Kings (Lima) before proceeding to Cuzco upon learning of significant developments there. This account, extracted from 'The Discovery and Conquest of Peru,' provides insights into Pizarro's navigational choices during his conquest of the Inca Empire. The study employs a narrative approach, drawing from primary historical sources to reconstruct Pizarro's movements and their implications for the conquest's trajectory. It underscores the importance of real-time information in shaping military strategy during this pivotal period.
Of Guinea Pigs and Tourists: Sustainable Development, Sustainable Tourism, and “Local Food” in Cusco, Peru
Sustainable tourism can effectively address economic disparities and promote cultural and ecological sustainability without creating dependency, as demonstrated by a grassroots model in Cusco, Peru. The study highlights Sierra Productiva's cuy (guinea pig) farming operations, which foster mutually beneficial relationships between indigenous communities and the tourism sector. By building capacity at individual and community levels, this approach offers a framework for equitable sustainable development that can be replicated in other tourist destinations.
Relationship between soil characteristics and altitude with the sensory quality of coffee grown under agroforestry systems in Cusco, Peru
Research reveals that altitude and soil characteristics significantly influence the sensory quality of coffee grown under agroforestry systems in Cusco, Peru. Specifically, higher altitudes correlate with increased acidity and aluminum concentration in soils, while levels of available phosphorus, calcium, and exchangeable potassium remain low, except for changeable magnesium, which is high. The study, conducted across 56 farms ranging from 1312 to 1910 meters above sea level, found that 50% of the samples qualified as 'Very Good' specialty coffee, scoring between 80 and 84 on sensory evaluations using the SCAA methodology. Key attributes like sweetness, balance, aroma, and flavor improved with altitude, highlighting the positive impact of these factors on coffee quality. The findings underscore the potential for economic and social benefits for small producers by leveraging altitude and soil characteristics to enhance coffee sensory quality.
Revelations of ancient head shape: Cranial modification in the Cuzco region of Peru, Early Horizon to Inca Imperial Period
Analysis of cranial vault modification (CVM) in the Cuzco region of Peru reveals distinct temporal patterns that illuminate sociopolitical transformations from the Early Horizon to the Inca Imperial Period. The study found that tabular CVM dominated early samples (900 BC–AD 600), while an influx of unmodified crania during the Middle Horizon (AD 600–1000) correlated with Wari occupation. Annular CVM emerged later (AD 1000–1438), suggesting migration, possibly from Lake Titicaca. During Inca rule, modification rates were higher in rural sites than urban ones, indicating state-coerced resettlement of ethnic groups while Inca elites in Cuzco city avoided modification as a marker of identity. The research combines morphological analysis of 419 individuals from 10 sites with archaeological and ethnohistoric data to trace migration, settlement, and the impact of imperial expansion on Andean ethnic landscapes.
Towards Urban Archaeo-Geophysics in Peru. The Case Study of Plaza de Armas in Cusco
Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) successfully mapped buried archaeological features and utility pipes beneath Cusco’s Plaza de Armas, demonstrating its potential as a non-invasive tool for urban heritage management. By integrating historical knowledge with nearby excavation records, researchers developed a model to interpret GPR reflections, revealing subsurface structures that could guide conservation efforts. This approach offers new insights into the city's layered history and supports sustainable urban planning in UNESCO-listed sites.
Vuestra atención, por favor ‘your attention, please’. Some remarks on the usage and history of plural vuestro/a in Cusco Spanish (Peru)
Research on the usage of the possessive form 'vuestro/a' in Cusco Spanish reveals its dual function: as a formulaic phrase (e.g., 'vuestra atención, por favor') and a strategic tool to contrast actions or states between plural addressees and the speaker's group. This phenomenon, previously overlooked in American Spanish, is analyzed through three hypotheses linking it to colonial and early post-independence Spanish influences, with consideration of potential notional transfer from Quechua to Spanish. The study contextualizes this linguistic development within Cusqueno society, highlighting its role in shaping an idiosyncratic mestizo identity.
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