Axel Borsdorf

Cómo modelar el desarrollo y la dinámica de la ciudad latinoamericana

Cuando en 1976 los primeros modelos de la ciudad latinoamericana fueron publicados, la region estaba todavia bajo la influencia economica de la estrategia de industrializacion para la sustitucion de importaciones. Los procesos economicos y de planificacion, aun en el espacio urbano, estaban fuertemente dirigidos por el Estado. Desde entonces, todos los paises latinoamericanos -con excepcion de Cuba- cambiaron a un nuevo paradigma economico, basado en el neoliberalismo, y se percibe la fuerte influencia de la globalizacion. La retirada del Estado, la privatizacion y la desrregulacion permitieron a los inversores, planificadores y ciudadanos mayores libertades. Todo esto puede ser observado en la estructura de las ciudades. Por tanto, es tiempo de adaptar los modelos, los cuales deben ser generalizaciones de la realidad, a la estructura actual de las ciudades. En orden a demostrar las dinamicas de la estructuracion urbana, el desarrollo urbano es modelado en cuatro momentos, los cuales son identificados como el periodo de la ciudad colonial, la ciudad sectorial, la ciudad polarizada y finalmente, la ciudad fragmentada. Se intenta mantener elementos de modelos anteriores en uno nuevo, asi como diferenciar con claridad el periodo mas reciente del desarrollo urbano de epocas anteriores.

From Polarization to Fragmentation. Recent Changes in Latin American Urbanization

In most Latin American cities the polarization between rich and poor quarters in the urban fabric (ciudad rica and ciudad pobre) is - although still visible - weakening. New rich quarters rising in formerly poor neighbourhoods seem to suggest that the texture of society is changing and that rich and poor are beginning to mix. Yet, on closer inspection, it immediately becomes obvious that socio-spatial segregation has become more pronounced. The millionaires in the hermetically closed off luxury quarters mostly do not care less about the social environment beyond the walls of their communities They are islands of the rich located within an ocean of poverty. Accordingly, Janoschka (2002a) called contemporary Buenos Aires a ‘City of islands’, and the islanders are the ones who have won. Indeed, they are ‘los que ganaron’, as Svampa (2001) has pointed out.

Rethinking Pumped Storage Hydropower in the European Alps

The European Alps are well positioned to contribute significantly to the energy transition. In addition to sites with above-average potential for wind and solar power, the “water towers” of Europe provide flexible, low-carbon power generation as well as energy storage. In the future, hydropower systems are expected to become more than mere electricity generators, serving a key role as flexible complements to intermittent power generators and as providers of large-scale seasonal and daily energy storage. Energy transition on national and European scales can be facilitated by expanding the capacity of pumped storage hydropower (PSHP) plants. Yet the extension of hydropower production, in particular PSHP, remains controversial, primarily due to environmental concerns. Focusing on 2 Alpine countries, Austria and Switzerland, this paper provides a system view of hydropower production and energy storage in the Alps. It discusses advantages and drawbacks of various assessment tools and identifies gaps and needs for the integrated assessment of PSHP plants. It concludes that instruments that evaluate the impacts and sustainability of PSHP projects need to be developed, elaborated, and applied in a participatory manner, in order to promote public dialogue, increase social acceptance, and, ideally, encourage energy consumers to become advocates of a sustainable energy future.

Long-Term Socio-ecological Research in Mountain Regions: Perspectives from the Tyrolean Alps

Mountain habitats have been classified as particularly sensitive to changes in land use and climate, which are occurring at increasingly high rates. The Tyrolean Alps host a strong tradition of research on a range of ecological processes in mountain environments, and how they are affected by changing environmental conditions. Research topics, partly studied over several decades, include responses of organisms and of biogeochemical processes to extreme life conditions and to global changes in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Research sites in the Tyrolean Alps span a vast range in altitude (1,000–3,450 m) and climate. For two valleys/valley sections, socio-economic changes have been documented and past, current and possible future landscape changes have been assessed, evaluating also effects on ecosystem services. The recent research history at the Tyrolean Alps LTSER Platform has shown that a monitoring of the biogeochemistry of target ecosystems combined with an experimental unravelling of global change effects on processes, and the consideration of socioeconomic developments together constitute a fruitful way forward, increasing the value of LTSER sites also for international projects and networks.

The role of chilean mountain areas in time of drought and energy crisis: New pressures and challenges for vulnerable ecosystems

In the summer of 2010/2011 Chile suffered the third most severe energy and water supply crisis in only one decade. This may be surprising as the Andes which accompany the country along 4,200 km are a water tower and could provide more electricity and water than needed. On top of that, it has to be mentioned that Chile also counts with sunny and windy climates and with excellent geothermal energy resources and thus has a huge potential as far as renewable energies are concerned. After analyzing the existing natural conditions, the infrastructure and the present challenges of climate change, it has to be asked in which way Chile can make use of this potential in the near future, considering the legal and political situation and the technological opportunities. It seems that the resources are still hidden in the Andes, and only the key is missing to realize the country’s natural potential. This research has been based on the analysis of existing literature, media, quantitative data from government institutions and other antecedents obtained by the authors in field work done in the South of Chile in 2010. The added value of this compilation lies in the comprehensive perspective, linking the knowledge of climatologists, hydrologists, mountain researchers and energy experts in order to support a sustainable energy and water supply for the future in Chile. From this present research, it can be concluded that Chile necessarily has to adopt new energy-related strategies, particularly those aimed at diminishing the strong dependence on traditional sources of energy and establishing new techniques and technologies for generating electricity and utilizing the vast potential that the country is ready to offer, such as that provided by the Andes along 4,200 kilometers.

Mountains and the Sea: An Analysis of the 2010 Real Estate and Retail Sectors in the Metropolitan Region of Valparaíso–Viña del Mar, Chile

Abstract Mountains and the sea are an ideal combination—not just for tourists but also for second homes and main homes of people who appreciate the amenities of both types of natural spaces. In the case of the Valparaíso–Viña del Mar agglomeration, the short distance to the Chilean capital, Santiago; access to a World Heritage Site (the city center of Valparaíso); and access to the leisure facilities of Chiles most attractive coastal spa (Viña del Mar) complement the amenities offered by nature. This paper provides information on the dynamic real estate market and the growth of the commercial sector in this agglomeration. It shows that high prices for domiciles with a sea view have led to new urban development farther inland. Thus mountain amenities are becoming more attractive to people moving to the Pacific Coast; however, the ongoing housing development can hardly be considered to correspond to the objectives of sustainable urban development.

Labour Migration and Social Cohesion – Some Empirical Evidence from Vienna

This chapter examines the challenges for maintaining social cohesion in a period of industrial restructuring and strong pressure on labour market. This is specifically done through a study of the development of Vienna’s economic competitiveness between 1991 and 2001 and the development of ethnic and social segregation in the city as well as labour and housing market inequalities of low-status migrants residing in Vienna. Both are the most important indicators for the status of integration that are strongly interlinked, as the individual’s position on the labour market is one of the main factors defining the chances and possibilities on the housing market and his/her socio-economic position as such. It also determines the chances of the next generation regarding the educational system and a successful integration into the receiving society. The chapter aims at linking the social consequences of immigration and development of a strategy for competitiveness with spatial effects upon the entire city.

Parcelas de agrado alrededor de Santiago y Valparaíso: ¿Migración por amenidad a la chilena?

The article analyzes the legal framework, distribution and spatial structure of amenity migration in mountain regions in Chile (Cordillera de la Costa, Cordillera de los Andes) and their trends in recent decades. Presents three case studies, two in mountainous regions and one in a semi-mountainous area. Based on qualitative data (interview with experts), and the relations between neighbors and the conflicts between immigrants and the traditional population. The article ends with an evaluation of the economic and social consequences of new parks or residential plots pleased calls up a batch of over 5,000 m 2 .

Hydropower Potential, Marginality and Sustainable Regional Development. Examples from Tyrol/Austria and Aisén/Chile

With a factor analysis of regions of similar development in the Alps, it could be demonstrated that about one quarter of the Alpine Arc belongs to “forgotten rural areas” and “rural retreats”. A similar factor analysis predicts the situation similar for the Chilean mountain regions. It is demonstrated that most mountain communities are depressed and in a marginal position, too. As the hydropower potential in mountainous regions lies in marginal areas it can be questioned if the exploitation of hydro energy will fight marginality and induce regional sustainability. The rising demand for energy caused by new technologies in mobility, the need to reduce CO2 emissions and to produce safe, clean and renewable energy is obvious. As climate change and increased water scarcity become more and more critical, the construction of hydro power plants may decrease the mountain exodus in remote areas and the structural weaknesses in marginal regions. Dams not only produce electricity, but also drinking water for the people and irrigation water for agriculture. They have retention function in periods of heavy rainfall, mitigate inundations and complement the retention function of smelting glaciers. In many cases they also provide recreational (swimming, sailing, wind surfing, hiking etc.) and educational functions (visitor centers). Furthermore, by their storage facilities pump storage hydropower plants complement the production of wind and solar energy, which is not produced continuously. This paper intends to analyze how hydropower installations may reduce marginality and rural exodus of remote mountain regions and serve to initiate sustainable regional development. It is based on detailed analyses, realized for the Tyrolean Hydropower Company (TIWAG) and on studies in the Chilean Andes.

Population growth and urbanization in Latin America

The population of Latin America will be increasing by 130 % between 1970 and the year 2000. Due to excessive rural exodus the urban population grows almost twice as fast as the rural does. The urbanization of the subcontinent must be regarded as being the dominant spatial process in Latin America. It results in fundamental changes of the structure and the way of life of the population as well as in the size and character of the settlements.Three case studies (Popayán/Colombia, Sucre/Bolivia and Santiago/Chile) show that a process of westernization can be observed within the analogous to their size, in the course of which the compact structure of the colonial town pattern is succeeded by a sectorially or cellularly arranged cityorganism.From todays point of view a definite judgement on urbanization as a relevant phenomenon of development cannot yet be made. It can be stated, however, that the southern countries of Latin America which have been urbanized the most show distinct signs of a social and economic “take off”.