_applied sciences_  
_Article_  
**Evaluation of Slope Stability in an Urban Area as a Basis for Territorial Planning: A Case Study**  
**[PERSON] 1,2,*(c)**, **[PERSON] 1,2,*(c)**, **[PERSON] 1,3,4(c)**, **[PERSON] 5**,  
**[PERSON] 6** and [PERSON] 7(c)**  
1 Centro de Investigacion y Proyectos Aplicados a las Ciencias de la Tierra (CIPAT), Campus Gustavo Galindo Km 30.5 via Perimental, ESPOL. Polytechnic University, Guayaquii P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Ecuador;  
[EMAIL_ADDRESS]
2 Facultad de Ingenieria en Ciencias de la Tierra (FICT), Campus Gustavo Galindo Km 30.5 via Perimental, ESPOL. Polytechnic University, Guayaquii P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Ecuador  
3 Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matematicas (FCNM), Campus Gustavo Galindo Km. 30.5 Via Perimental, ESPOL. Polytechnic University, Guayaquii P.O.Box 09-01-5863, Ecuador  
4 Geo-recursos y Aplicaciones GICA, Campus Gustavo Galindo Km. 30.5 Via Perimental, ESPOL. Polytechnic University, Guayaquii P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Ecuador  
5 Facultad de Ciencias Matematicas y Fisicas, Universidad de Guayaquii, Cdia. Universitaria \"Salvador Allende\", Guayaquii 0950154, Ecuador; [EMAIL_ADDRESS]
6 Facultad de Geologia y Mias, Instituto Superior Minero Metaligico (ISMM), 83310 Moa, Cuba;  
[EMAIL_ADDRESS]
7 Departamento de Infraestructura Geocentrica y Servicios, Instituto Geologico y Minero de Espana (IGME, CSIC), C/Matematico Pedrayes 25, 33005 Oviedo, Spain; [EMAIL_ADDRESS]  
* Correspondence: [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (C.-M.); briones@espol.edu.uc (B.-B.); Tel.: +593-984167430 (B.-B.)  
**Featured Application: The application of a methodology for evaluating susceptibility to landslides and landslides and landslides, based on the experience of several researchers, has allowed the generation of a susceptibility map. This susceptibility map presents a correlation with the geophysical data, drilling and pits, which validates the application of the methodology carried out. Also, it has provided a basis for security measures and territorial planning.**  
**Abstract: Slope stability is determined by pre-conditioning and triggering factors. The evaluation of the stability by scientific criteria provides crucial input into land-use planning and development. This work aimed to evaluate the slope stability of \"Las Cabras\" hill (Duran, Ecuador) through geological and geotechnical analysis and a susceptibility assessment that allowed the definition of areas potentially susceptible to landslide and detachment for land planning recommendations. The methodology included (i) analysis of background information about the study area; (ii) fieldwork, sampling and laboratory tests; (iii) assessment of susceptibility to landslides and detachment through a theoretical-practical evaluation (using suggestions by various authors); (iv) a safety factor assessment employing the simplified Bishop method; and (v) analysis of the relationship between susceptibility and stability. Sixteen geomechanical stations were evaluated. Of these, seven stations are characterised as category III (medium susceptibility), six stations as category IV (high susceptibility) and three stations as category V (very high susceptibility). According to the susceptibility zoning map, 58.09% of the total area (36.36 Ha) is in the high to very high susceptibility category. The stability analysis based on 16 critical profiles shows that three of these profiles have safety factor values of less than one (0.86, 0.82 and 0.76, respectively), and two profiles have values close to one (1.02 and 1.00). The northern area is conditioned mainly by a vertical slope with an outcrop of fractured and weathered sandstones, thereby favouring rockfall. The landslide vulnerability in the case of the southern zone is principally conditioned by the fact that the slope and dip are parallel. The described characterisation and susceptibility analysis provide a basis for security measures and territorial planning.**  
**Keywords: stability; susceptibility to detachment; susceptibility to sliding; simplified Bishop method; geomechanical characterisation**