Guayaquil is a city of many cities. With different environments and heterogeneous inhabitants. The diversity that comes from the stories of its population, families, people, descendants of the first inhabitants of these regions and various cities on this continent, which were “discovered” by others who believed that they were conquerors of something that existed and were not aware of it. Or whose roots are in the land of origin of all our evolutions: black Africa, whose people were taken away because their color made them less and sold as a commodity. And also of white Europe and its ships, its horses, its thirst for wealth, its culture, its crosses and its faith. Middle Eastern traders, their daring and creativity. There is no shortage of descendants of wise, mysterious and wise Asia.

Guayaquil is a fusion of races and cultures fused with the waves of its river, its estuaries, the warmth of its climate and the hospitable behavior of its people.

His deep wealth, derived from his port and mercantile vocation, also became a weakness. The city spread to pieces, pushed by waves of people that turned entire neighborhoods into ghettos. Some richer and more luxurious areas, where the poorest live or survive in inhumane conditions, with a common accent of costeños. Identities are forged not only because of their origins and history, but also because of the place and neighborhood they live in and the geography that surrounds it.

This is known about the proposal for the territorial reorganization of Guayaquil into 19 districts

In recent years, in the office of the mayor of Nebot, there have been rapid changes that have made Guayaquileños, that common denominator that encompasses all diversity, proud to represent a city that is progressing.

However, the deep differences of its inhabitants in the ability to access basic services, green areas, transportation, housing, education and healthcare were not removed. When looking for a job with the same qualification, it is crucial to know where you live in order to be able to get it or not. That’s why the proposal to divide the city into 19 districts with a creative slogan of 15 minutes is excellent news, a long-discussed and sought-after aspiration.

If the foundations are built with many contributions… the results will be faster.

It is obvious that a single mayor cannot deal effectively with a population that, in many possible districts, exceeds that of Cuenca, Machala, or the entire province of Cotopaxi.

Aquiles Alvarez presents the Guayaquil Territorial Reorganization Project to the Council

What takes the longest in construction is the foundation. This requires studies. Many of them already exist and are excellent. The population should get to know them, so that citizens’ participation takes place on the basis of the basic document and with different working groups in the municipality itself and neighborhood delegations and those who are most directly involved in the planning of a fair and diverse city.

It would be great if the councilors, who themselves are a reflection of the city’s human diversity, get to know the city administrations that have made a creative shift in bringing the state closer to the citizens and significantly reduced insecurity.

Iztapalala, Medellin, Montevideo, Curitiba, among others.

If the foundations are built with many complementary and effective contributions, where actors are involved converging their capacities on a common goal, the results will be faster. (OR)