Geographic accessibility and quality of life in a rural population of the department of Ayacucho (Peru)

Cisneros Á.A.; Perpinyà A.B. · Human Geographies (2026) · DOI: 10.5719/hgeo.2026.201.6

Resumen

Geographic accessibility in rural areas is a determining factor in rural development and a key element in improving the quality of life of the population. This article aims to quantify travel time, both on foot and by motor vehicle, from homes to the main basic services in Ayacucho, Peru. To do so, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were used as a methodological tool to analyse accessibility networks, thereby allowing the identification of access difficulties for certain populations. Using the geographic locations of homes and services, and GIS data processing, the distances and travel times required to access health centres, municipalities, markets, pharmacies, banks, medical posts, and primary and secondary education institutions were evaluated. The results showed that 12% of homes require more than 6 hours round-trip to access the main services on foot, a time that far exceeds acceptable standards and constitutes a clear sign of isolation and inequality in rural contexts. On the other hand, it was found that 13% of households record an average time of 40 minutes by car, which, although higher than the standard of 30 minutes, is considered relatively normal in the given rural environment.