Negotiating space

The daily mobility of women waste pickers in Cuenca, Ecuador

Bibliographic Data

ID12296137
AuthorsLisseth Molina-Toledo (University of Cuenca), Sebastián Egas Loaiza (0000-0002-8106-9610, University of Cuenca), Javier Andrés García (University of Cuenca), Galo Carrión (University of Cuenca), Andrea Gómez (0000-0001-5654-8049), Andrea Ximena Gómez Ayora (0000-0002-0032-7607, University of Cuenca), Andrea Gómez-Ayora, Daniel Orellana (0000-0001-8945-2035, University of Cuenca, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume128
Pages104378-104378
Publication date2025-07-29
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Transport Geography (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0966-6923 • E-ISSN: 1873-1236
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2025.104378
OpenAlexW4412712671
LanguageEN
References cited25

In many cities across Latin America, Africa, and South Asia, informal women waste pickers play a crucial role in managing recyclable waste, reducing municipal costs and urban carbon footprints. Despite their contributions, limited attention to their mobility patterns reflects the low priority governments, academia and society assign to understanding their particular needs, hindering the development of inclusive policies and innovative methodologies. This study introduces a mixed methods approach to study the spatial behavior of informal urban waste pickers. The methodology comprises three stages: First, a survey and mapping techniques, reveal the spatial distribution of residence, work and storage locations, mode of transport, and collection tools. Second, GPS tracking identifies mobility patterns, dominant flows and clusters of their collection routes. Third, multi-sited ethnography uncovers the reasons and perceptions behind their daily movements. The integration of these three stages highlights the factors that constrain and limit their mobility. Applied in Cuenca, Ecuador, this method establishes a baseline for understanding women waste pickers' spatial behavior. Results show that waste pickers walk up to 16 km daily, navigating spatial, economic, physical, and social challenges. By focusing on women's everyday lives, this study reveals socio-spatial inequalities and provides a robust foundation for advocating effective, inclusive public policies. • GPS tracking and ethnography tools show the spatial behavior of informal waste pickers. • Cuenca's recyclers, mainly women 50–69, get materials from waste to support families. • 88 % of them collect materials on the streets, walking an average of 7 km daily. • They spend up to 14 h in a hostile public space lacking infrastructure for work. • Dominant flows and clusters and travel diaries show the importance of social fabric

Geography · Medical emergency · Negotiation · Poison control · Social science · Sociology · Transport engineering · Computer Science · Engineering · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Human Mobility and Location-Based Analysis · Medicine · Municipal Solid Waste Management · Urban Transport and Accessibility

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