El tranvía de Cuenca como agente de transformación del paisaje urbano: impacto en la morfología y dinámica de la ciudad en el sector Mercado 9 de Octubre

Abstract

This study analyzes the urban and architectural transformations generated in the Mercado 9 de Octubre sector following the implementation of the Cuenca tramway, focusing on the interrelationship between built structures, public space, and the configuration of the urban layout. The tramway is conceived as a structuring element that redefines mobility and everyday dynamics, influencing patterns of movement, use, and spatial appropriation. Through a qualitative methodology and a multiscalar analysis (urban, sectoral, and architectural), changes in land use, flow redistribution, and public space configuration are identified. The study reveals a transition from streets as vehicular infrastructure toward a shared-space model that prioritizes pedestrian mobility, accessibility, and spatial continuity, generating impacts on ground-floor activation and the interior–exterior relationship of the built fabric. The results show that the main transformations are not expressed through significant volumetric changes, but rather through the interaction between architecture and public space. Formal integration is reflected in the persistence of scale, façade continuity, and block structure, while functional integration is evident in pedestrian connectivity and the reorganization of commercial and everyday dynamics. Overall, the study evaluates the level of integration of the tramway with the identity of the place.