Urban Regeneration and Quality of Life from a Gender Perspective: Experiences in Two Neighborhoods in Chile

This qualitative study analyzes the perceived effects of the Quiero Mi Barrio—I love my neighborhood—(PQMB) urban regeneration program on the physical and social environments and residents’ quality of life in two deprived neighborhoods in Temuco, Chile, where PQMB was implemented in 2007 and 2015, using a phenomenological approach and a gender perspective. PQMB is a state-led program that combines improvements in urban infrastructure with participatory processes aimed at strengthening community life. Data were collected through interviews, focus groups, and non-participant observations. The findings indicate improvements in public spaces, increased social interaction, and enhanced community cohesion, although these effects were unevenly distributed. Women and older adults experienced greater benefits due to higher participation and leadership in neighborhood organizations, while younger residents’ involvement was more limited and focused on the use of sports facilities. Differences between neighborhoods highlight the importance of time and institutional continuity in maintaining program-related effects. The study shows that changes in the built environment interact with participation patterns and community organization, shaping how residents experience improvements in quality of life. However, the sustainability of these effects depends on long-term institutional support and communities’ capacity to sustain collective action and influence local decision-making beyond the formal closure of interventions.