Active Transport Infrastructure in Peripheral Zones: An Integrated Approach to Urban Equity and Sustainability

Abstract

Active transport infrastructure including pedestrian and cycling networks is essential to promote urban equity and sustainability, especially in peripheral zones marked by social vulnerability and structural limitations. In the Cuban context, where territorial disparities and infrastructure obsolescence persist, rethinking inclusive mobility models becomes urgent.Objective: This article aims to analyze, through a systematic review, the trends, approaches, and theoretical gaps surrounding active transport infrastructure in peripheral zones, emphasizing its contribution to territorial equity and urban sustainability in Cuba. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted using databases such as Scopus, Redalyc, SciELO, and Google Scholar, focusing on publications from 2018 to 2023. Inclusion criteria targeted studies on urban planning, sustainable mobility, territorial equity, and spatial justice. A thematic analysis matrix and conceptual mapping tools were used to synthesize findings. Results: The review revealed a lack of Cuban studies focused on peripheral zones, with technical approaches dominating the discourse. Five key categories emerged: accessibility, connectivity, community participation, infrastructural resilience, and spatial justice. International studies offer replicable models, though contextual adaptation is required. An integrated analytical framework is proposed, linking physical, social, and environmental dimensions.