Huatulco: Global Human Settlement Layer (GHSL) as a Viable Tool for the Present and the Future

Authors

  • Edith Galván Ochoa Universidad del Mar
  • Mabel Rodríguez de la Torre Universidad del Mar

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59673/amag.v3i3.117

Keywords:

Global Human Settlement Layer, GHLS, coastal resort, urban planning, building per capita

Abstract

The objective is to research the scientific literature to build a theoretical framework that supports the application of the Global Human Settlement Layer as a viable tool in the coastal urban tourism center of Huatulco, located in the municipality of Santa María Huatulco, Oaxaca State, Mexico. Specifically, it aims to identify scientific studies that have used the layer, in order to determine its applicability and limitations in urban planning in this region. The fundamental purpose of this work is to use open source tools at no cost to society at large, promoting their use for the collective benefit through knowledge and public access. The methodology outlined by the authors uses an open-source search engine on the Internet, based on the premise that scientific information is a public good. To analyze the scientific literature, a tabular format was used to select paradigms relevant to the reality of human settlement in this geographic context. Thirty-two scientific journals were searched and reviewed. The questions are: What theoretical contexts have been used in previous studies to apply the Global Human Settlement Layer in geographic and socioeconomic areas similar to the central tourist settlement of Huatulco? And where are the study areas of the scientific literature search similar to Huatulco located? The results confirm the validity and scientific rigor of the open-source site searches. The use of Symbol Learning (SML) and explicitly structured logical rules to derive knowledge from the data.

Author Biographies

Edith Galván Ochoa, Universidad del Mar

M.Sc. in Geographic Information Systems. Institute of Ecology, Universidad del Mar, Puerto Escondido Campus. Thesis recognized by the University of Salzburg, Austria. Specialist in Geomatics from the Jorge L. Tamayo Institute of Geography and Geomatics (CONACYT). Any comments related to this document are kindly requested to be sent to the following email address: geomatica@aulavirtual.umar.mx.

Mabel Rodríguez de la Torre, Universidad del Mar

M.A., Professor-Researcher at the Institute of Industries, Universidad del Mar, Puerto Escondido Campus. Recipient of the Third Place Award in the XV National Prize for Theses and Administrative Studies (Undergraduate Thesis in Administration) granted by the National Association of Faculties and Schools of Accounting and Administration (ANFECA) in August 2000. She holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree from the Faculty of Accounting and Administration at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Email: mabel_rguez@aulavirtual.umar.mx

Published

2025-10-12

Issue

Section

Essays