Transformation of the Historic Urban Landscape of Polygon ZH1 in Riobamba in the face of new architectural typologies

• Autores: Cerda Obregón , Ana Lucía, Ruiz , Fredy, Luna Machado , Stephanie Gabriela, Suarez Orna , Leonardo Flavio
• Formato: artículo
• Fecha de Publicación: 2025
• Institución: Universidad José Carlos Mariátegui
• Repositorio: Revista ciencia y tecnología para el desarrollo UJCM
• Lenguaje: español
• OAI Identifier: oai:ojs.revistas.ujcm.edu.pe:article/339
• Enlace del recurso: https://revistas.ujcm.edu.pe/index.php/rctd/article/view/339
• Nivel de acceso: acceso abierto
• Materia: Arquitectura; Centros históricos Riobamba; Patrimonio cultural; Paisaje urbano histórico; Polígono ZH

The historic urban landscape reflects the interaction between cultural heritage and the dynamics of urban transformation. Therefore, the objective of this research was to analyze the transformation of the historic urban landscape of polygon ZH1 in Riobamba, Ecuador. The study adopted a mixed-methods approach, applying the historical-logical and inductive methods, and compiling bibliographic, cartographic, and land registry information, complemented by field visits and photographic records. The data were processed using ArcMap–ArcGIS and Microsoft Excel to generate thematic maps and statistical analyses. The results indicated that the highest number of buildings was recorded between 1968 and 1988, with 388 cases (26.58%), followed by 1926–1946 with 332 (22.74%), and 1989–2009 with 217 (14.86%). Only 11 buildings were constructed during the initial periods. The frequency histogram showed an upward trend from 1905, with a peak between 1968 and 1988 and a sharp decline between 2010 and 2025, with only 25 buildings (1.71%). Analysis of the number of floors reflected a predominance of low-rise buildings of one to four stories and an atypical presence of high-rise buildings, which disrupted the skyline and fragmented the heritage coherence. The cross-tabulation of variables allowed for the identification of three representative cases where new architectural typologies modified the stylistic continuity and historical character of the city center. It is concluded that the insertion of modern buildings transformed the urban image of polygon ZH1 and generated a fragmented landscape that alters the heritage identity of downtown Riobamba.