Crecimiento Urbano y Gestión del Agua: Perspectivas Económicas para infraestructura Sostenible

Abstract

This research analyzes the economic implications of urban growth on drinking water management in intermediate cities in Ecuador, taking Guayaquil as a case study. Rapid urban expansion has exceeded the installed capacity of water systems, leading to inequalities in access, high operating costs, and deficiencies in service coverage and quality. The main objective is to evaluate the economic efficiency of water infrastructure models in the face of population growth. A mixed methodology was used. In the qualitative component, semi-structured interviews were conducted with five actors involved in urban water management. In the quantitative approach, data from INEC, EMAPAG and other official sources were analyzed. The results show that connection costs in unplanned areas can reach up to USD 1,200 per household. In addition, the lack of institutional coordination and advanced planning increases the financial pressure on municipalities, forcing them to implement inefficient transitory solutions. The conclusions highlight the need to integrate economic criteria in decision making to achieve sustainability. It is recommended to promote equitable tariffs, investments in green infrastructure and periodic cost-benefit analyses. Guayaquil's experience shows that applying appropriate economic instruments can improve the efficiency, coverage and resilience of the system.