Dra. Ana Medina Gavilanes

Publicaciones

• Integrating AI and Feminist Urban Design in Informal Neighborhoods. Three case studies in South America

  This article explores the role of public spaces in cities of the Global South, focusing on safety, equity, and quality of life. Traditional urban design often overlooks diverse resident needs, creating exclusionary environments, especially for marginalized groups. The study examines socio-spatial conditions in Cuenca (Ecuador), Medellín (Colombia), and Rosario (Argentina), integrating AI and feminist urban design principles to assess safety and align spaces with healthy city criteria.

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• Minga as a placemaking tool in peripheral neighborhoods. Co-design collective experience in Calderon, Quito

  This article examines local socio-spatial practices like ‘Minga’ in Quito, Ecuador, using a mixed-methods approach. Mingas, community-driven efforts, include autonomous ‘community mingas’ fostering pride and belonging, and top-down ‘megamingas’ with limited engagement. The study highlights mingas’ potential for social cohesion, cultural expression, and sustainable urban development, emphasizing the need for active participation and long-term community ownership.

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• Micro-Occupations in Complex Public Spaces in Carapungo, Quito. Prediction of spatial behaviors within drone perspectives by relational and occupational cartographies

  This study analyzes spatial behavior at Carapungo’s intermodal hub in Quito, Ecuador, using AI, Machine Learning, and drone videos. Traditional methods fail to capture informal urban dynamics, so we developed a model with Computer Vision and YOLOv5 to detect movement, speed, and occupancy. The resulting “Occupancy” and “Count & Speed” maps reveal commuter patterns, offering insights for urban design and mobility in informal contexts.

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