Plans to relocate Cuenca’s “tolerance zone” have stalled, with city officials citing the lack of a required technical study to support the move outlined in the Development and Territorial Planning Plan (PDOT).
- Relocation cannot proceed without a technical consultancy
- No academic or institutional participation secured for the study
- Current zone remains in the Cayambe neighborhood
- Area flagged for crime concerns and proximity to city center
Councilwoman Jenny Bermeo, who leads the Citizen Security and Coexistence Commission, said the process cannot move forward without solid technical input to determine a suitable new location. Efforts to secure that support have so far failed, leaving the project at a standstill.
The tolerance zone, which has operated for years in the Cayambe neighborhood, has gradually turned the area into a red-light district. Its location near the city center has raised concerns among officials and residents, particularly as the area has been linked to ongoing public safety issues.
City leaders view relocation as an important step toward improving conditions in the neighborhood, but the absence of a formal study has made it impossible to advance. Without clear analysis and planning, no decision on a new site can be made.
For now, the zone remains where it is, with no timeline in place for when or if the relocation effort will resume.