CUENCA
ECUADOR
The RECETAS project in Cuenca
In Cuenca, the RECETAS project focuses on older adults facing social and economic vulnerabilities, including high rates of depression, limited social security coverage, and precarious living conditions: all factors that heighten loneliness.
Cuenca’s unique natural surroundings provide the setting for the study:
- the city sits at 2500 meters, is crossed by four rivers, and borders the El Cajas biosphere reserve;
- its strong cultural connection to nature makes it an ideal environment for testing nature-based activities.
A co-created nature-based social prescription menu (NBSP) was tested through a quasi-experimental study involving 60 participants from local older-adult institutions. The research assessed the impact of nature-based interventions on loneliness and quality of life, supported by interviews and a focus group.
El entorno natural único de Cuenca constituye el escenario del estudio:
- la ciudad se ubica a 2500 metros de altura, está atravesada por cuatro ríos y limita con la reserva de biosfera El Cajas;
- su fuerte conexión cultural con la naturaleza la convierte en un entorno ideal para probar actividades basadas en la naturaleza.
Un menú de prescripción social basada en la naturaleza (NBSP), co-creado localmente, fue probado mediante un estudio cuasi-experimental con la participación de 60 adultos mayores de instituciones locales. La investigación evaluó el impacto de estas intervenciones en la soledad y la calidad de vida, complementándose con entrevistas y un grupo focal.
How were nature-based activities tested?
The nature-based social prescription menu (NBSP) implemented in Cuenca was the product of a co-creation process. The RECETAS Cuenca team was responsible for the intervention based on the menu, initially randomized and agreed upon with each participant. The NBSP was tested in a quasi-experimental studies.
The study focused on measuring its impact on the experiences of loneliness and the quality of life of older adults.
Qualitative phenomenological research were designed to include in-depth interviews and a focus group to triangulate the information.
60 participants from the Universidad del Adulto Mayor, the Centro del Adulto Mayor de Cuenca, and gereontologic centres such as the Hogar Miguel León took part in the study.
Immerse yourself in the world of RECETAS
Through the stories of the people who have been part of our groups in Helsinki, the places where they live and the reinvention of urban nature as a space for connection, resilience and well-being.
News & Event in Cuenca
Nature-based Interventions in Latin America: From Research to Practice
Prescribing Art and Nature: Cuenca Hosts Global Meeting Against Loneliness
RECETAS Cuenca at World Nursing Congress 2025, Knowledge. Innovation. Connection.
CUENCA – 2nd Meeting with Nature for an Inclusive Aging
Spotlight on… Dr. Gabriela García Vélez – Cuenca University
RECETAS launching workshop in Cuenca
Example of good practices
The HBV is a communitarian initiative initiated in 2018. It was fostered by the University of Cuenca through a participatory process with the neighbors of El Vado, in hand with local institutions. The process creates conditions that contribute to the sustainable welfare of the traditional residents into the Historic Center of Cuenca, relying on cultural and natural heritage. At the moment, the project has joined more than 12 public institutions, civil society, and residents of El Vado in collaborative management. It resulted in a network of urban heritage gardens (6 gardens) with therapeutic uses, heritage protection, and food security.
Sangay Club emerged in the city of Cuenca more than 50 years ago. It encourages participants to walk, respect, and care for nature in the mountains of the Andes Region. Sangay Club open space for a diversity of people of different ages that make up a community of high social value in the city of Cuenca. The same club states that: « the participation of our fans and above all manifest joy, health, satisfaction, love, feeling, the happiness of what it means to be in these places and consider them gifts of life ».
About Cuenca
Cuenca is located in the Andean region in the South of Ecuador, this intermediate city is the capital of the province Azuay. Locally, Cuenca is one of the Ecuadorian cities that offers conditions for a better quality of life.
A city with social and economic problems, which particularly affects old people…
22% of urban population lifes in precarian conditions (1)
15% of poor households are composed of one elderly person (2)
74% of older adults do not have access to social security (3)
39% prevalence rate of the older adult population suffering from depression (4)
However, Cuenca sets in an exceptional natural environment, which can be used to treat mental health problems!
The city is perched at 2500 m.o.s.l. and is crossed by four rivers: Tomebamba, Tarqui, Yanuncay, and Machángara. Cuenca borders a natural area and biosphere reserve called « El Cajas ».
Its inhabitants have preserved a close relationship with natural elements, especially at the core of the historical area listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
City population
400 000
Population density
2,676/km²
City SDG index
72,3
Subjective well-being ranking
#46
Average Temperature
12,4°C
Köppen classification
Tropical Ecuatorial
Get in touch
Are you an organization based in Cuenca and dealing with these topics? Do you want to share your experience ? Are you interested in getting involved in RECETAS activities?
Contact us !
Universidad de Cuenca
Director Equipo RECETAS Cuenca
Profesor, Arq. Fausto Cardoso PhD
fausto.cardoso@ucuenca.edu.ec
Investigador Equipo RECETAS Cuenca
Profesor, Dr. David Acurio
david.acurio@ucuenca.edu.ec
Investigadora Equipo RECETAS Cuenca
Profesora, Arq. Gabriela Garcia PhD
gabriela.garcia@ucuenca.edu.ec
Investigador equipo RECETAS Cuenca
Profesor, Antropólogo. Pablo Paño PhD
pablo.panoy@ucuenca.edu.ec
