Promoted Urbanization of the Countryside: The Case of Santiago’s Periphery, Chile (1980–2017)

Abstract

Urbanization of the countryside affects rural areas, especially in the immediate surroundings of large cities. Normally, this occurs as an unpromoted process, but in Chile, it is driven by the legal framework. This research focuses on rural residential plots (RRPs) around the capital city, Santiago. The analysis seeks to understand the significance and consequences of RRPs during the last four decades and the role of a favorable legal framework in affecting their development. By examining data and official cartography on rural residential plots, the analysis shows a large phenomenon of rapid RRP development in the Metropolitan Region of Santiago de Chile (MR). The study confirms the existence of an ongoing process that is still partially latent and potentially both uncontrolled and evolving. This work demonstrates the negative effect that land liberalization policies can have by promoting territorial transformations that policymakers cannot subsequently control. The conclusions provide a critical perspective on the counter-urbanization process in the context of fragility and scarce resources.

Use of Indicators in Strategic Environmental Assessments of Urban-Planning Instruments: A Case Study

“…Accordingly, only the PRCs issued in these three regions have been considered for this study, and this geographical selection represents the third filter of this research. The Mediterranean climate in this area of Chile is extremely fragile and, therefore, urbanization can cause severe and critical impacts on the local environment due to the existence of high levels of pollution, soil sealing, increased runoff and other associated risks [38]. By applying this third filter, a total of 51 PRCs were identified in the aforementioned stages in relation to the three most populous regions in the country (Figure 5).…”

Consequences of Land Use Changes on Native Forest and Agricultural Areas in Central-Southern Chile during the Last Fifty Years

“…The area expansion of another seven cities (Antofagasta, Copiapó, La Serena, Concepción, Temuco, Puerto Montt, and Coyhaique) distributed between 23 • S and 45 • S has ranged between 16.6% (Concepción) and 168.4% (Puerto Montt) over the last 30 years (since 1985-1986) [70]. Another concerning phenomenon transforming agricultural lands in central Chile is the uncontrolled proliferation of "rural residential plots", which are rural properties with a surface area of 5000 m 2 primarily used as second homes for the middle and upper classes [71]. According to these authors, there are nearly 140,000 ha of recreational states in the Metropolitan region, and 8000 ha were converted between 2013 and 2018.…”

“…Other factors that promote urban sprawl include weak regulatory policies, the absence of urban regeneration policies, improvements in road infrastructure, and the formation of conurbation areas, among others [73]. This, combined with the voracity of the real estate market, Another concerning phenomenon transforming agricultural lands in central Chile is the uncontrolled proliferation of "rural residential plots", which are rural properties with a surface area of 5000 m 2 primarily used as second homes for the middle and upper classes [71]. According to these authors, there are nearly 140,000 ha of recreational states in the Metropolitan region, and 8000 ha were converted between 2013 and 2018.…”

“…Other factors that promote urban sprawl include weak regulatory policies, the absence of urban regeneration policies, improvements in road infrastructure, and the formation of conurbation areas, among others [73]. This, combined with the voracity of the real estate market, contributes to a situation that promotes segregation, generates environmental problems, and compromises the sustainability of urban food systems [71,74].…”

Rural transformation and differential vulnerability: Exploring adaptation strategies to water scarcity in the Aculeo Lake basin (Chile)

“…c) Urban interest in rural life: As previously mentioned, the Aculeo basin is located near a large city, Santiago, where there has always been an urbanite interest in enjoying the amenities of rural life. According to studies, the uncontrolled Frontiers in Environmental Science frontiersin.org urbanization of the Metropolitan Region of Santiago de Chile countryside has been promoted by land policies that have benefited urban advancement and the consumption of territory beyond its natural capacity (Barrado et al, 2020). Although we will not explore this complex issue here, it is being studied by other authors given its implications for equity, poverty and nature conservation (Berdegué and Proctor, 2014;Berdegué et al, 2015).…”