Informal settlements in Valparaíso (Chile): mobilized knowledge of communities and political position of municipalities

The housing deficit in Chile has led to an explosive growth of informal settlements. Although investment in housing subsidies has been a priority in public policy, informal settlements continue to grow, reflecting a multidimensional and dynamic problem. Using a qualitative approach that combines focus groups and interviews with residents of settlements in the Metropolitan Area of Valparaíso and municipal officials, the study analyzes the knowledge and strategies mobilized by communities, as well as the municipalities’ perspectives on this process. Organized actions are observed for land subdivision, street layout, housing construction, infrastructure network connections, and public spaces. Additionally, mechanisms for conflict resolution and negotiation strategies with public and private actors are discussed. These knowledge and practices in the construction and management of habitat enable valuable community-public institutional articulations, which are key to advancing a new policy for settlement and community management. This self-management of habitat challenges the State’s structure in ways that demonstrate participatory, mobilizing, and democratic management. Urban informality is not a homogeneous process but different assemblages between institutions and communities generating agreements, processes, and differentiated and dynamic spaces.