On the link between material deprivation and city size: Ecuador as a case study

The association between city size and productivity has been widely investigated in the academic literature. On the contrary, less is known about the link between city size and material living conditions. Recently, a strong emphasis has been put on the process of urbanization without growth and on th...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Obaco Álvarez, Moisés Lenyn, Royuela Mora, Vicente, Matano, Alessia
Format: article
Status:Versión aceptada para publicación
Publication Date:2021
Country:España
Institution:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
Repository:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
OAI Identifier:oai:recercat.cat:2445/185924
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/185924
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Desenvolupament urbà
Àrees metropolitanes
Barris pobres
Condicions socials
Equador
Urban development
Metropolitan areas
Inner cities
Social conditions
Ecuador
Description
Summary:The association between city size and productivity has been widely investigated in the academic literature. On the contrary, less is known about the link between city size and material living conditions. Recently, a strong emphasis has been put on the process of urbanization without growth and on the burst of large cities. The creation of slums and large areas with underdeveloped housing characteristics has become a major concern for urban planners. This is especially the case for developing economies. This work analyses the association between city size and material living conditions in Ecuador, a small developing country experiencing rapid urbanization and where slums constitute a relevant part of the urban landscape. Our findings show that living in denser areas is associated with lower levels of deprivation and overcrowding. Nonetheless, we also show evidence of congestion in larger cities.