The Ecuadorian city of Loja was selected as one of the five finalists for the WRI Ross Center Prize for Cities 2025–2026, one of the most prestigious international recognitions in sustainable urban development awarded by the World Resources Institute (WRI). Selected among 334 applications from 230 cities in 77 countries under the theme “Catalyzing Healthy Cities,” Loja stands alongside Atlanta, Makassar, Manila, and Nairobi. This recognition highlights the growing importance of integrated, people-centered urban solutions and confirms that medium-sized cities can lead transformative processes with global relevance.
Loja’s nomination positions both the city and Ecuador as regional references in sustainable urban mobility, public health, and climate action. More importantly, it reflects how long-term vision, coherent planning, and strong technical cooperation can translate sustainability goals into tangible improvements in everyday urban life. At a time when cities worldwide face increasing pressures from climate change, environmental degradation, and social inequality, Loja’s experience demonstrates how nature-based solutions and sustainable mobility can be effectively combined to address multiple challenges simultaneously.
The application submitted to the WRI Ross Center Prize is grounded in a comprehensive vision of a Sustainable City aimed at improving public health, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing mobility, and creating more inclusive and resilient urban spaces. Central to this vision is the Sistema Verde Urbano (Urban Green System), a citywide strategy designed to connect green infrastructure, mobility planning, and land use into a unified and functional network. The development and consolidation of this vision were strongly supported by the MoVer Cities Project of the German Cooperation GIZ, which has promoted integrated approaches to sustainable urban mobility and climate action in Ecuador.
Loja’s green transformation did not occur overnight. For decades, the city invested in parks across its neighborhoods, yet these green spaces remained isolated. At the same time, rivers were polluted, ravines were degraded, slopes suffered from erosion and habitat loss, and pedestrian pathways were fragmented and vulnerable to flooding. Seasonal rains frequently caused ravines to overflow, flooding nearby neighborhoods and highlighting the urgency of restoring ecosystems while strengthening urban resilience.
In response, the city adopted a preventive approach focused on ecological restoration and connectivity. By linking parks, ravines, and river corridors through green corridors, Loja created an integrated system that benefits both people and nature. This network enhances climate resilience, reduces environmental risks, and promotes active mobility by offering safer, healthier, and more attractive public spaces. Throughout this process, the MoVer Cities Project provided technical guidance and strategic input, reinforcing the link between sustainable mobility, green infrastructure, and climate mitigation.
The Urban Green System was further strengthened through its integration with key urban policies and strategic investments. These include
Together, these actions promote low-emission transport, safer pedestrian routes, expanded cycling infrastructure, and improved access to public and green spaces, demonstrating how sustainable mobility can directly improve quality of life.
The MoVer Cities Project played a central role in structuring the award application by providing technical and strategic support to define its guiding principles, articulate the city’s main initiatives, and consolidate a coherent narrative aligned with international sustainability standards. This contribution was further strengthened by lessons learned from GIZ’s Intermediate Sustainable Cities II project, which helped integrate mobility, climate action, and urban development into a single, robust framework.
Loja’s success is the result of coordinated institutional collaboration led by the municipal government, with the participation of the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL) and the sustained technical support of the German Cooperation GIZ, together with other strategic partners. This collaboration ensured technical rigor, policy alignment, and a strong focus on measurable environmental and social impacts.
Beyond the recognition itself, Loja’s nomination confirms that intermediate cities can drive urban transformations with global impact when they combine long-term planning, evidence-based decision-making, and strategic international cooperation. The experience of Loja, supported by the MoVer Cities Project, demonstrates that sustainable mobility and nature-based solutions are practical and effective tools for improving public health, strengthening resilience, and creating more inclusive urban environments. In doing so, the city offers valuable lessons for other cities worldwide seeking to build healthier, more sustainable, and more resilient urban futures.
The objective of the MoVer Cities Project of GIZ is to implement sustainable, low-emission urban mobility in Ecuador’s intermediate cities as a contribution to climate protection. The project is funded by Germany’s BMZ and co-financed by the European Union.
City of Loja ©GIZ Ecuador
Juan Pablo Diaz
