Ecosystem approach to sustainable neighborhoods: applicability of environmental and urban sustainability indicators in informal neighborhoods

IntroductionInformal settlements in Peru face critical challenges related to the lack of urban planning, limited access to basic services, and high environmental vulnerability due to their location on hillsides and risk-prone areas. These settlements develop without regulation, exacerbating problems...

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Main Authors: Jose Hinostroza-Martinez, María Custodio, Jesus Chavez-Villarroel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Sustainable Cities
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsc.2025.1518694/full
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author Jose Hinostroza-Martinez
María Custodio
Jesus Chavez-Villarroel
author_facet Jose Hinostroza-Martinez
María Custodio
Jesus Chavez-Villarroel
author_sort Jose Hinostroza-Martinez
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionInformal settlements in Peru face critical challenges related to the lack of urban planning, limited access to basic services, and high environmental vulnerability due to their location on hillsides and risk-prone areas. These settlements develop without regulation, exacerbating problems such as lack of potable water, inadequate sanitation, and poor solid waste management.MethodsThis study aimed to develop and apply a comprehensive evaluation model to understand the complex relationship between environmental and urban sustainability in informal neighborhoods. The model is based on an ecosystem approach that combines geospatial analysis, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and participatory tools to analyze how factors such as migration, the market, and state policies impact sustainability.ResultsThe results reveal a significant correlation between basic service coverage and the reduction of environmental vulnerability, as well as between urban development policies and territorial occupation dynamics.DiscussionIt is concluded that the proposed evaluation model can serve as a valuable decision-making tool for the formulation of local policies. These policies, tailored to the specific needs of each neighborhood, are essential to promoting sustainable development and improving the quality of life of their inhabitants.
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spelling doaj-art-65c59b92695546c5b1ffca770c2109f42025-08-20T03:48:27ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sustainable Cities2624-96342025-05-01710.3389/frsc.2025.15186941518694Ecosystem approach to sustainable neighborhoods: applicability of environmental and urban sustainability indicators in informal neighborhoodsJose Hinostroza-Martinez0María Custodio1Jesus Chavez-Villarroel2Faculty of Architecture, Universidad Nacional del Centro del Perú, Huancayo, PeruEnvironmental Science and Health—ESH Research Group, Faculty of Human Medicine, Universidad Nacional del Centro del Perú, Huancayo, PeruFaculty of Economy, Universidad Nacional del Centro del Perú, Huancayo, PeruIntroductionInformal settlements in Peru face critical challenges related to the lack of urban planning, limited access to basic services, and high environmental vulnerability due to their location on hillsides and risk-prone areas. These settlements develop without regulation, exacerbating problems such as lack of potable water, inadequate sanitation, and poor solid waste management.MethodsThis study aimed to develop and apply a comprehensive evaluation model to understand the complex relationship between environmental and urban sustainability in informal neighborhoods. The model is based on an ecosystem approach that combines geospatial analysis, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and participatory tools to analyze how factors such as migration, the market, and state policies impact sustainability.ResultsThe results reveal a significant correlation between basic service coverage and the reduction of environmental vulnerability, as well as between urban development policies and territorial occupation dynamics.DiscussionIt is concluded that the proposed evaluation model can serve as a valuable decision-making tool for the formulation of local policies. These policies, tailored to the specific needs of each neighborhood, are essential to promoting sustainable development and improving the quality of life of their inhabitants.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsc.2025.1518694/fullenvironmental vulnerabilityinformal settlementsterritorial occupationurban policyurban sustainability
spellingShingle Jose Hinostroza-Martinez
María Custodio
Jesus Chavez-Villarroel
Ecosystem approach to sustainable neighborhoods: applicability of environmental and urban sustainability indicators in informal neighborhoods
Frontiers in Sustainable Cities
environmental vulnerability
informal settlements
territorial occupation
urban policy
urban sustainability
title Ecosystem approach to sustainable neighborhoods: applicability of environmental and urban sustainability indicators in informal neighborhoods
title_full Ecosystem approach to sustainable neighborhoods: applicability of environmental and urban sustainability indicators in informal neighborhoods
title_fullStr Ecosystem approach to sustainable neighborhoods: applicability of environmental and urban sustainability indicators in informal neighborhoods
title_full_unstemmed Ecosystem approach to sustainable neighborhoods: applicability of environmental and urban sustainability indicators in informal neighborhoods
title_short Ecosystem approach to sustainable neighborhoods: applicability of environmental and urban sustainability indicators in informal neighborhoods
title_sort ecosystem approach to sustainable neighborhoods applicability of environmental and urban sustainability indicators in informal neighborhoods
topic environmental vulnerability
informal settlements
territorial occupation
urban policy
urban sustainability
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsc.2025.1518694/full
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AT mariacustodio ecosystemapproachtosustainableneighborhoodsapplicabilityofenvironmentalandurbansustainabilityindicatorsininformalneighborhoods
AT jesuschavezvillarroel ecosystemapproachtosustainableneighborhoodsapplicabilityofenvironmentalandurbansustainabilityindicatorsininformalneighborhoods