San Francisco de Quito is the capital of both Ecuador and the Province of Pichincha. Known simply as “Quito”, it is the second most elevated capital city in South America (after La Paz, Bolivia) standing 2,580 meters above sea level and situated amid mountains and deep valley in the eastern Andes. The city is crossed by four tectonic faults, 192 ravines and is surrounded by 20 volcanoes, three of which are active. The Metropolitan District of Quito is 55% vegetation and is a recognized bio-diversity hotspot (Tumes-Choco-Magdalena). Moreover, Quito is known as a cultural capital, with its historic centre declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site due to its status as one of the least-altered and best-preserved central districts in the American continent.
Quito is a Metropolis member: https://www.metropolis.org/member/quito
The Mayor
Jorge Yunda Machado, was born in Guano canton, province of Chimborazo in 1975, and moved to the San Roque neighbourhood of Quito with his parents and siblings at age 7. Machado studied at the Central University of Quito, where he graduated with a medical degree. Simultaneously while working as a surgeon, Machado began a career in broadcasting and is known locally by his various radio programs as Loro Homero.
In 2017 Machado was elected as a Pichincha assemblyman as part of the PAIS Alliance Movement. In 2018 he joined the National Democratic Centre party occupying the position of party director. In March 2019 Machado was elected Metropolitan Mayor of Quito.
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Quito on the use platform
Below are 3 initiatives being implemented by the City of Quito that demonstrate effective metropolitan governance, sustainable citymaking and the localization of the SDGs.
- Transit Oriented Development Strategy
- Metropolitan District of Quito Resilience Strategy
- Co-planning a sustainable neighbourhood
City profile
For a detailed profile on Quito including population demographics, administrative structure, indsustry and economics, click on any of the above case studies and then select "City information".
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