Occupational composition, housing quality, and the search for affordable shelter during the inaugural decade of economic reform: Quito, Ecuador, 1982-1990

This research examines changes in Quito, Ecuador's occupational composition and built environment (i.e. housing) during the first decade of neoliberal-informed economic restructuring. It is argued that structural adjustment programs are having adverse effects on large segments of the population, particularly the working and middle-classes who find themselves marginalized by the "growing pains" that often accompany these types of reforms.;The research methodology is driven by individual-level population and housing censuses from 1982 and 1990, and is divided into two major components. The first examines sectoral shifts in Quito's occupational composition. The second investigates changes in Quito's built environment with an emphasis on the spatial differentiation of housing quality and the acquisition of suitable and affordable shelter.;The results of the analyses confirmed several suspicions about the nature of the impacts. Similar to many other Latin American cities, Quito is experiencing a significant shift in its occupational composition, including: an increase in the total number of employed persons, a rise in the percentage of female workers, and a rapidly growing service sector. Additionally, this research revealed that education does not necessarily grant access into the higher paying or more secure jobs.;The second part of the analysis focuses on the impacts to the built environment, including the ability of individuals to acquire shelter. The findings indicate that while there is still a wide disparity in the quality of housing in Quito, the spatial disparity or distancing has lessened. In other words, there is evidence of increasing spatial heterogeneity along socioeconomic lines. This is at least partially explained by the desire or need of the lower-income population to be in close proximity to the wealthy residents who offer an important source of revenue to informal sector workers.