Desarrollo metropolitano integrado: El caso de Santiago de Chile

Abstract

The Metropolitan Area of Santiago (AMS) plays an outstanding role in terms of demographic and economic development in Chile as well as regarding the country’s position in the international economy. However, there are severe weaknesses regarding the establishment of adequate mechanisms for strategic orientation ensuring sustained competitiveness. This is due to the fact that in Chile, metropolitan areas lack a suitable organisational and legal framework. The AMS is affected by typical structural changes in the evolution of large metropolises leading to negative externalities which make it that increasingly difficult to manage growth and to establish cooperation among the different stakeholders. In this article perspectives of an integrated development of the AMS are analyzed within the framework of international discussion about strategic planning and sustainable development of metropolitan areas. It is intended to contribute to the present national debate about the revision and change of planning policies, and particularly those oriented towards the capacity the dynamic processes that the cities are experiencing.