Third power generation barge arrives; Bollards will be replaced in Centro; Group wants sidewalk dining reconsidered; ‘Blow your mind’ at Mall del Rio

Miércoles, 22/1/2025

Hola, Todos –

Actividades –

“Blow Your Mind”, una exhibición inmersiva (“Blow Your Mind”, an immersive exhibit) – This exhibit which has captivated thousands in Guayaquil and Quito is coming to Cuenca to offer an experience in creativity and technology. It will be at the Centro de Convenciones at the Mall del Río until el 24/1. You can interact with dynamic projections and explore giant inflatable installations. Tickets available online at envivo.com.ec and the ticket booth at the mall. Cost: $10 for adults from lunes a viernes and $12 on weekends, $8 for children all days.

A third power generation barge has arrived in the port of Guayaquil. Like the other barges, it will be capable of producing 100 megawatts of electricity. (El Mercurio)

Titular –

Vías, escenarios mortales (Roads, deadly scenarios) – Two motorcyclists were killed in separate accidents ayer. The first accident was at km. 13 on th Panamericana Sur in Tarqui Parish. According to preliminary investigations, the motorcyclist lost control and hit a truck, was run over by a pickup truck, and died instantly. The 2nd accident was on the vía Cuenca – Paute where the motorcyclist with a passenger hit a cable that had fallen across the road. There were Transit Commission personnel already on site with a patrol car and cones. Apparently, the cyclist was moving at a high speed and didn’t notice the cable. The passenger survived.

Causes of motorcycle accidents in Azuay include speeding, not respecting a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, reckless and imprudent maniobras (maneuvers), passing where not permitted, and not obeying signs and rules of the road.

Cuenca –

Reemplazan bolardos en el Centro Histórico (Replacement of bollards in the Historical Center) – The gradual replacement of bollards in the Centro Histórico is to comply with international standards for accessibility. Xavier Aguirre, director of Áreas Históricas de la Municipalidad, said the new bollards meet international specifications and are designed to minimize risks of tripping and falls, and offer protections to pedestrians as well as people with reduced mobility. They should be 90 cm. tall, esbeltos (thin, our word for the day), without sharp edges or corners and include a reflective band to make it visible to motorists at night. <All that’s left of the bollards at the corner near my house are those nasty twisted off pieces of metal in the sidewalk.>

The color should contrast with the paving surface and surroundings. The installation will be done gradually during 2025 depending on their availability. In the first phase, bolllards on calle Padre Aguirre, plazoleta La Merced, y Plaza de las Flores will be removed. This will continue with the Plaza San Francisco in the 2nd phase, and on Las Herrerías in the 3d phase. About 600 are planned to be replaced.

This project responds to concerns expressed by various organizations and citizens over the years who pointed out the dangers associated with the old bollards. Seniors and the visually impaired were the most affected and there have been serious accidents. Marco Loyola, coordinator of the Observatorio Ciudadano a las Políticas Públicas Relativas a la Descapacidad (Citizen Observatory on Public Policies Related to Disabilities) said that in 2022, a woman getting off a bus tripped over a bollard and died after being run over. The new designs are more visible and safer for all, including the disabled, elderly, and children.

According to the 2022 census, there are 29,371 people who have difficulty walking and another 23,834 who have difficulty seeing. <This rises to about 50,000 in each category on the nights of viernes y sábado, especially when the bars empty out.> Pablo Chérrez, an architect and researcher in urban planning, said most of the bollards were installed between 1998 and 2001 when there were no clear standards in Cuenca. The bollards are of different designs, include corners and edges, and are in colors the same as the pavement. They have caused numerous accidents and incidents in the Centro Histórico. <Maybe you’ve got your own bollard encounter story, supported by pictures of the black eye.>

Se solicita reconsiderar ordenanza (Request to reconsider ordinance) – Marco Loyola, coordinator of the Observatorio Ciudadano a las Políticas Públicas Relativas a la Descapacidad (Citizen Observatory on Public Policies Related to Disabilities) announced that he has requested the Silla Vacía (Empty Chair) to participate in the next Cantonal Council meeting which will address reconsiderations to the ordinance about the occupation of public space in the Centro Histórico. The main point of objection is the use of sidewalks to place bar and restaurant furniture. He said the sidewalks are narrow and there are already obstacles such as bollards and trash cans. Adding tables and chairs further compromises accessibility. He added that while plazoletas are good spaces for this type of furniture, sidewalks are not. <He’s right – parts of Calle Larga are like an obstacle course at night with hardly any room to walk.>

Sucesos –

Dos ciudadanos localizados tras un secuestro en Cuenca (Two citizens located after kidnapping in Cuenca) – The Policía Nacional located 2 men who were kidnapped in Cuenca when they were demonstrating a vehicle for sale. 3 delinquents, 2 men and a woman, posed as prospective buyers for the car being sold by the kidnapees. The rescue operation finished in Biblián in Cañar in the afternoon of 12/1. The victims were taken to a hospital in Azogues for evaluation and both are in good health. The police are continuing their investigation and searching for the kidnappers. Video on social networks showed the vehicle going towards Azogues. Police called for citizens to be watchful for different modes of crime, especially scams for the purpose of kidnapping.

Nacional –

“Condena da paso a despenalizar aborto” (“Condemnation gives way to decriminalize abortion”.) – The condemnation received by Ecuador from the UN Committee on Human Rights opens a way for the total decriminalization of abortion in the country. The case centered on a 13-year-old girl who was forced to carry her pregnancy, which was a result of rape, to term. The Committee commented on this case and two similar cases in Nicaragua, also ruled in favor of the plaintiffs. Helene Tigroudja, a member of the committee said that forcing children who were victims of rape to suffer pregnancies “is an act that is the equivalent of torture.”

De El Mercurio del martes, 21/1 (1 article):
Tercera barcaza llega al país (Third barge arrives in the country) – The 3d electrical generation barge, Erin Sultan, arrived in Ecuador last sábado. It can generate 100 MW of energy, similar to the two barges already here. This one was rented by Elecaustro. The first barge, Emre Bey, started operating in septiembre and was rented for 18 months at a cost of $114 million. The 2nd barge, Murat Bey, arrived last diciembre and was rented by Elecuastro for 6 months and is in the testing phase. <So what are the barges going to do now that it’s started raining? Will they still be here if there’s another drought later this year or next year?>

And that’s all for today so Hasta ? –

Jeanne