Publications
Dificultades de la Gestión Participativa del Patrimonio Mundial. El Caso de Santa Ana de Cuenca
Despite UNESCO's promotion of participatory management for the Historic Centre of Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca, Ecuadorthis study reveals that such practices remain largely ineffective. Analysis of three cases between 2021 and 2025 shows that the absence of a comprehensive management plan, incentives, or technical tools has led to violations of cultural rights, housing rights, and usufruct for property owners. While Ecuadorian law mandates full participation, it is reduced to consultative processes with no tangible impact. The 2010 ordinance governing historic zones focuses on restrictive architectural criteria, lacks updated inventories, and shifts legal and financial burdens onto property owners. International comparisons suggest that effective incentives and collaboration mechanisms could address these challenges, but urgent reform is needed to establish direct communication between UNESCO and local communities to foster inclusive and just heritage policies.
The quantification of physico-mechanical properties and durability of onyx-travertines from Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca, Ecuador
Onyx-travertines from Sinincay, Ecuador, exhibit significant variation in durability and mechanical strength depending on their sedimentary structure. Research reveals that laminated facies are more vulnerable to accelerated aging tests than cryptolaminated ones, with salt crystallization (S-C) being the most severe test, followed by freeze-thaw (F-T), acid attack (A-A), and thermal shock (T-S). The orientation of lamination also influences mechanical strength, with normal-to-lamination specimens showing the lowest values. Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) analyses further elucidate weathering patterns and deterioration mechanisms, providing insights into the material's behavior under different environmental stresses. This study highlights the importance of standardized durability tests in heritage stone research, offering a case study for Ecuador and globally significant World Heritage Sites like the Historic Centre of Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca.
Heritage values protection, from the monument to the urban dimension. Case study: the historic centre of Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca, Ecuador
A comprehensive strategy for protecting heritage values in urban landscapes has been developed, focusing beyond traditional monument preservation to include geomorphology, environment, hydrology, urban planning, historical cartography, land uses, symbolic imagery, and intangible aspects. This approach, applied to Cuenca's historic center in Ecuador, integrates multiple data layers using ArcMap to create a visual tool that facilitates stakeholder engagement and social participation in conservation efforts. The strategy aims to broaden the scope of heritage protection by mapping these elements, providing a holistic framework for urban-level conservation that aligns with principles from international agreements like the 1972 Convention.
You are here:
World Heritage Explorer > World Heritage Research > World Heritage Sites > Historic Centre of Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca