The ability of residents: the innovative potential for Chilean Housing Policy
Abstract
In Chile, housing and urban policies are out of touch with the aspirations of poor families. This paper analyzes the actions carried out by residents to create and consolidate their habitat, especially when it comes to gaining access to land and housing, and relates these actions to public policies.Through case studies, interviews with key actors and literature review, this contribution reconstructs the production and management of housing by residents over the course of time.
This paper shows, on the one hand, that long processes allow residents to acquire the abilities to produce the city. On the other hand, it is also demonstrated the important role of women, young people and children in such processes. Until 1973, these abilities focused on housing and urban production; then, from 1990 onwards, these competences evolved into management-related functions and the role of housing and neighborhood leaders became professionalized.
The conclusion is that residents have all the abilities to take part in the framing of public policies along the government. This would enable housing policies to be more approachable, efficient and democratic.
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