Urban Disarticulation and Ecological Exclusion: The Green Infrastructure Deficit in Informal Contexts

Abstract

Accelerated urban growth in Latin American cities has intensified processes of territorial disarticulation and ecological exclusion, particularly in informal settlements characterized by a critical deficit of green infrastructure that increases socio-environmental vulnerability. The objective of this study is to analyze how the lack of vegetation cover contributes to ecological exclusion and affects quality of life in the La Yuca neighborhood, Santo Domingo. A mixed-methods approach was applied, integrating documentary review, theoretical-critical analysis, and fieldwork through surveys, morphological measurements, and georeferenced microclimatic records at different times of the day. The results reveal extremely low vegetation coverage (0.37 m²/inhabitant), absence of formal public spaces, and critical microclimatic conditions, with surface temperatures reaching up to 53.5 °C, low wind speeds (0.2–1.2 m/s), and high soil impermeability, which intensify thermal discomfort and exposure to climate risks. The study concludes that the deficit of green infrastructure constitutes a manifestation of spatial injustice that directly affects urban habitability in informal contexts. The originality of the study lies in the empirical integration of environmental, urban, and social variables in a central informal settlement, providing local evidence to the debate on environmental justice. The findings are applicable to other informal urban contexts in Latin America with similar conditions of density and ecological exclusion. Limitations include the study’s focus on a single case and reliance on time-specific measurements.