Enhancing disaster risk resilience using greenspace in urbanising Quito, Ecuador

Abstract. Greenspaces within broader ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR) strategies provide multiple benefits to society, biodiversity, and addressing climate breakdown. In this study, we investigated urban growth, its intersection with hazards, the availability of greenspace for (DRR) in city Quito, Ecuador, which experiences hazards including landslides, floods, volcanoes, earthquakes. We used satellite data quantify sprawl developed a workflow incorporating high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) identify potential greenspaces emergency refuge accommodation (DRR greenspace), example, following an earthquake. Quito's historical growth totalled ∼ 192 km2 1986–2020 was primarily on flatter land, some cases crossed by steep ravines. By contrast, future projections indicate increasing between easterly urbanisation areas high landslide susceptibility. Therefore, timely opportunity exists risk-informed planning. Our identified 18.6 DRR greenspaces, 16.3 intersected sources flood indicating that hazard events could impact “safe spaces”. These spaces mitigate if designated as left undeveloped. overlapped 7 % (2.5 km2) municipality-designated greenspace. Similarly, 10 (1.7 space” use earthquake classified potentially suitable our analysis. For refuge, currently accommodate 2 %–14 (depending space requirements) population 800 m. This increases 8 %–40 considering all mapped study. gap provision Within found disparity access across socio-economic groups, lower income groups having less further travel greenspaces. Notably, accessibility overall 98 (2.3 million) m greenspace, 88 (2.1 had demonstrates citywide evaluation provides foundation upon evaluate these local stakeholders. Promoting equitable communicating their benefits, restrict propagating development into hazardous are key themes emerge investigation.