Gentrification in (re)construction: Talca’s neighbourhoods post 2010 earthquake
International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment
ISSN: 1759-5908
Article publication date: 9 April 2018
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the complex relationship between post-earthquake reconstruction processes and gentrification in neighbourhoods of intermediate cities, calling on the critical role of recovery strategies in altering neighbourhoods physical and social urban structure identities.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses a case study; the reconstruction process of the neighbourhoods post-2010 earthquake in Talca, Chile, and analyses in a six-year timeline its socio-spatial changes. The latter based on mixed methods, primary data from strategic interviews with key stakeholders, cadastres of land value and real estate housing projects and neighbourhood polls, and secondary data from official documents such as plans and policies.
Findings
The findings suggest that patterns of incipient gentrification are an outcome of the reconstruction strategies. Acknowledging the intricate interplay amongst urban neoliberal conditions, historical heritage and identities and post-disaster recovery, inadequate housing subsidies and normative plans are causing the displacement of hundreds of historical residents and resistance, arrival of newcomers with higher debt capacity in new housing typologies and increasing land value. Process related to neoliberal politics of state led to new-build gentrification.
Originality/value
Gentrification and reconstruction are both processes that modify urban structures, society and perceptions, and yet their socio spatial effects have never been studied in a cumulative and integrated manner, even more, in intermediate cities. The value is to rethink the critical role of recovery strategies in halting and containing gentrification in fast transforming secondary cities.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the National Commission for Scientific and Technological Research (CONICYT) of Chile for funding the research project N°11140181 “Diseño cívico resiliente en la ciudad intermedia frente a procesos de gentrificación y reconstrucción. Estudios de barrios históricos en Talca, Chile”.
Citation
Inzulza Contardo, J., Boano, C. and Wirsching, C. (2018), "Gentrification in (re)construction: Talca’s neighbourhoods post 2010 earthquake", International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, Vol. 9 No. 2, pp. 170-183. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJDRBE-08-2016-0034
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited