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Meanings of public space within the context of transformations triggered by socio-natural disasters

Authors

  • Hector Berroeta Universidad de Valparaíso
  • Laís Carvalho Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
  • Andres Di Masso Universidad de Barcelona
Vol. 31 No. 87 (2016)

Abstract

Socio-natural disasters and reconstruction raise awareness of the built environment and generate narratives among the dwellers of affected communities. This is a process that combines different spatial meanings which, as in the case of major discourses on public space, is based on the signification given to the urban space and the conditioning of appropriation practices. This research analyzes the narrations provided by the victims of three socio-natural disasters that have affected Chile in recent years: the 2007 Tocopilla earthquake, the eruption of Chaitén in 2008 and the 2010 Maule earthquake and tsunami. In order to compile the meanings given to the public space by those who have experienced urban transformation processes as the consequence of displacement or post-disaster reconstruction, this research conducted 17 focus groups with 117 inhabitants from Chaitén, Constitución, Dichato and Tocopilla. From a qualitative perspective, this contribution analyzes the narrations that establish a relationship among the different approaches to the public space: the public space as a lost place, the public space as an agent of civility and as the place to attain social justice.

Author Biographies

Hector Berroeta, Universidad de Valparaíso

Psychologist, PhD in Public Spaces and Urban Regeneration, University of Barcelona. Professor, Department of Social Psychology at the School of Psychology, University of Valparaíso. Director, Master’s Program in Social Psychology at the University of Valparaíso.

Laís Carvalho, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Psychologist, Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo, Brazil. PhD candidate in Psychology, Pontifical Catholic University, Chile. School of Psychology.

Andres Di Masso, Universidad de Barcelona

PhD in Psychology, University of Barcelona. Professor at the Department of Social Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Barcelona.

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How to Cite
Berroeta, H., Carvalho, L., & Di Masso, A. (2016). Meanings of public space within the context of transformations triggered by socio-natural disasters. Revista INVI, 31(87), 143–170. Retrieved from https://revistaestudiostributarios.uchile.cl/index.php/INVI/article/view/62748
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Revista INVI
Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo
Universidad de Chile
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