The Future of Oil Boom Towns in the Ecuadorian Amazonia A methodological guide for new urban development model in the Amazonia

The presentation will unveil "The Future of Oil Boom Towns in the Ecuadorian Amazonia," a comprehensive policy papers resulting from an environmental, regional, and urban design workshop hosted at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design during the spring semester of 2023.

This workshop aimed to envision a future of remediation and urban regeneration for Shushufindi Canton, situated in the oil-rich province of Sucumbíos, northeastern Ecuador. The Faculty of Architecture, Design, and Arts of the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador and CAF collaborated in producing the policy papers.

These insights can significantly contribute to reimagining the future of cities in the Amazon basin. Recognizing the region's heterogeneity, it underscores the need for adaptable methodologies that actively involve the Amazon basin's primary stakeholders: its indigenous peoples, traditional riverine populations, and nationalities.

The policy paper launch presents a unique opportunity to convene stakeholders interested in fostering urban development harmonious with nature in Amazonian cities. Conventional models of design and planning, often rooted in generic standards and protocols, have yielded questionable outcomes concerning the city-environment relationship and residents' quality of life. The policy papers highlights these tensions and offers innovative solutions grounded in local knowledge, current community needs, and the imperative to preserve one of the world's most valuable ecosystems.

Representatives from the collaborating institutions—Harvard University's Graduate School of Design and the Faculty of Architecture, Design, and Arts of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Ecuador—will lead the presentation. Emphasis will be placed on the proposed methodological approach to Amazonian urban planning and the showcase of a project catalogue developed by both institutions.