Hacia un modelo sistémico de intervención en barrios vulnerables de América Latina y el Caribe : método y herramientas aplicadas en casos de estudio de República Dominicana

Abstract

The thesis addresses the issue of segregation of vulnerable neighbourhoods, which adds to the the complex, diverse, and uncertain nature of contemporary cities. The cities (and the neighbourhoods on a more encompassing scale) constitute complex adaptive systems that require holistic and flexible approaches. This is congruent with how the situation of self-built working-class neighbourhoods has been progressively perceived and addressed in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region. The assessments of the comprehensive improvement programmes implemented in the LAC region suggest that their success lies in a comprehensive multi-scalar approach with governance models that encompass all tiers of government, the private sector, and empowered populations. This implicitly points to the need for a systemic approach in accordance with the nature of the neighbourhood-city.However, the evaluations of such programmes also highlight some of the challenges that hinder their implementation. Amongst the operational challenges, the technical capacity for programme coordination entailing investments across various sectors and a multiplicity of inter-institutional actors with changing teams, the relevance of implementation control and monitoring mechanisms, as well as the availability of adequate information systems, stand out. The Sustainability challenges include the political continuity of investments, social support measures (often relegated exclusively to other processes), and the operation and maintenance of services. All this adds to the complication and investment costs. For this reason, and due to the way in which the problem is conceptualised by many institutions, sectoral approaches persist, with a tendency towards isolated and rather underfinanced programmes that end up reinforcing a vicious circle of regularisation. INTRODUCCIÓN-I.1. Motivación frente al reto y antecedentes -I.2. Síntesis del reto -I.3. Avance de hipótesis y objetivos de la tesis -I.4. Metodología general y estructura de la tesis -I.5. Alcances y recursos