TOURISM, LEISURE AND HERITAGE.

Year: 

2024

Partners

University of Cuenca (UCUENCA), World Heritage City (CPM in Spanish), PREIT-tour Research Group.

Area of Study

The Historic Centre of the city of Cuenca, Ecuador, with a focus on key public spaces such as Parque Calderón, Parque San Sebastián, and Plazoleta El Vado, all located within the UNESCO World Heritage area of the city.

Introduction

This project aimed to characterize the profiles of the different actors who use and shape selected public spaces in the Historic Centre of Cuenca, Ecuador, and to analyze their perceptions regarding cultural heritage, leisure, and tourism. Cuenca’s historic center, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, represents a complex urban environment where heritage conservation, everyday social life, and tourism development intersect.

The project explored how these dynamics unfold in emblematic public spaces that play a central role in the social and cultural life of the city. Through the use of mixed research methods and a socio-praxis approach, the study examined the experiences, perceptions, and interactions of local residents, visitors, public authorities, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders in the selected locations, including Parque Calderón, Parque San Sebastián, and Plazoleta El Vado.

Program Description

The research combined qualitative and quantitative techniques to better understand how public spaces within the historic center function as arenas where heritage values, leisure activities, and tourism practices converge. Field observations, interviews, and participatory activities were conducted with different groups of actors who interact in these areas on a daily basis.

The findings reveal a broad consensus among stakeholders regarding the importance of heritage conservation, sustainable tourism development, responsible use of public space, and active citizen participation. These principles are widely recognized as essential for maintaining the identity and livability of the historic centre while supporting tourism as an important economic activity.

However, the research also highlights the need for more effective coordination strategies among institutions and stakeholders. In many cases, tensions arise between the need to regulate public space in order to protect heritage values and the desire to maintain flexibility that allows vibrant social and cultural use of these spaces.

Purpose and Impact

The project contributes to a deeper understanding of the governance challenges associated with managing tourism, cultural heritage, and public space in historic urban environments. In Cuenca, conflicts between actors often emerge due to diverging interests, overlapping institutional responsibilities, and the absence of effective coordination mechanisms.

By identifying these dynamics, the study provides valuable insights for policymakers, heritage managers, and local stakeholders seeking to design more collaborative and balanced approaches to urban heritage management. Ultimately, the project supports the development of strategies that reconcile conservation, community use of public spaces, and sustainable tourism in the Historic Centre of Cuenca.