Professor María Gabriela Chica, from the Faculty of Art, Design and Audiovisual Communication (FADCOM) at ESPOL, took part as a panellist in the discussion forum ‘Climate Change, Smart Mobility and Urban Resilience’, held on 20 October 2026 at the Oro Verde Hotel in Guayaquil, as part of the activities of the Mobility AI Challenge & Hackathon ETCM-IHTC 2026.
During the event, specialists from various fields analysed the challenges facing the city in the face of the El Niño phenomenon, including the build-up of waste in drainage channels, the vulnerability of low-lying areas and the need to strengthen urban planning through scientific information and technological tools. From the perspective of strategic design and applied technologies, Chica highlighted the importance of identifying essential infrastructure and services, recognising vulnerable sectors and planning urban spaces capable of responding to emergency situations. These measures make it possible to anticipate needs and better target interventions to reduce risks.
The roundtable discussion brought together representatives from the academic and technical sectors to explore solutions that integrate planning, innovation and public participation. The event formed part of the meeting organised by the IEEE Ecuador Section, in collaboration with the Bolivarian University of Ecuador and the Bolivarian Higher University Institute of Technology.
© Photography: Courtesy / Text: José Luis Castro
