Guillermo Angel Velázquez

Proposal and application of an environmental quality index for the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires, Argentina

The development and use of indicators and indices is increasingly necessary to understand and properly size matters connected with the living conditions of the population at different levels. In Argentina, however, there is delay in the production of environmental indices in relation to others associated with social and economic variables. To fill this gap this paper proposes the development of an Environmental Quality Index (EQI) composed of 23 variables grouped into three indicators: (1) nature-based recreational resources; (2) socially constructed recreational resources; and (3) environmental problems. The index is applied to the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires (Argentina) at a municipal level. The mapping of the environmental contrasts and spatial inequities of this megalopolis indicates the utility of the index which can also be used to formulate appropriate policies for environmental planning.

Comparación entre índices de calidad de vida: La población rural del partido de General Pueyrredón, 2001-2007

The ancestral vocation of rural areas, associated with food production, has entered in a competition process with new land uses during recent decades. Thus, the residential function starts to become in an election that impulses the development of a service economy related with rural areas. This phenomenon of rural spaces commercialization associated with the enjoyment of nature and the improvement of life quality represents a renewed subject in current geographical literature. Nevertheless, not all rural spaces are affected by this phenomenon, reflecting a frag mentation of rural areas. In this context our goal is to contribute to the recognition of these territorial fragments by sizing standards of quality of life in the rural space of the municipality of General Pueyrredon.

Spatial Segregation and Quality of Life: Empirical Analysis of Medium-Sized Cities of Buenos Aires Province

In Latin America, there are few empirical studies that analyze the spatial segregation and quality of life at intra-urban scales and the existing association between the two categories. Neighborhood spatial configuration influences human behavior because the population is segregated in a systematic, not random, pattern. This research measures spatial segregation and quality of life in two midsize cities of Buenos Aires Province in Argentina, by evaluating from a statistical and geographical point of view how the variations in spatial segregation impact the quality-of-life index. Thematic mapping and scattered plots allowed us to visualize the spatial arrangement of residential areas according to both categories. While in both cities there is an associated pattern of distribution between the two categories, the smaller city showed a better performance.

A New Index for Study Quality of Life (LQI), Argentina: Combining Socioeconomic and Enviromental Indicators

This paper proposes, from a brief theoretical and methodological discussion, the development of a quality of life index for Argentina’s population. This index is obtained from the weighted combination of socioeconomic (education, health and housing) and environmental (nature-based recreational resources, socially constructed recreational resources and environmental problems) indicators. The unit of analysis are 510 departments (belonging to 23 provinces) and 15 communes of Buenos Aires City (CABA). The results show clear progress in socioeconomic indicators during the first decade of the century; however, the level of regional inequality remains high.

¿Por qué últimos? Las peores situaciones de calidad de vida en la Argentina (2010).

A partir de inicios de la decada de 1980, disponemos de informacion socioeconomica y ambiental acerca de la calidad de vida que nos permite una comprension adicional de los procesos de cambio y permanencia en el territorio argentino. En este articulo, hemos puesto nuestro foco en los lugares que padecen peores situaciones de calidad de vida a partir de la nueva evaluacion en 2010. Aunque los departamentos del Nordeste han logrado algunas mejoras en los ultimos anos, la region sigue siendo la que sufre peor situacion relativa. Cinco de las diez unidades del pais con peores condiciones socioeconomicas y ambientales (sobre un total de 525 departamentos) se localizan en esta region. En Ramon Lista (ultimo lugar) la explotacion petrolifera y los agronegocios impactaron en las condiciones de vida y generaron conflictos. Palabras-clave: Argentina; Calidad de vida; Pobreza; Diferencias socioeconomicas; Diferencias ambientales.