Achieving greater urban integration with renovated public spaces, better environments and solid social relations in Latin American neighborhoods is the objective of a cooperation agreement between ECLAC and the Housing Ministry (MINVU) of Chile.

With support of the German cooperation agency GTZ, ECLAC prepared a summary report of the First Ibero-American Forum of Experiences of Neighborhood Recuperation held in Chile, and of MINVU’s Programme for the Recuperation of Neighborhoods “I love my neighborhood”.

“We analyzed different Latin American experiences, which began in Brazil, to improve the quality of life in neighborhoods. We then presented a proposal in three key areas that should always accompany any policy: institutions, governance and financing,” stated Ricardo Jordán, Economic Affairs Officer of the Sustainable Development and Human Settlements Division and coordinator of the agreement.

With regard to the Chilean programme, Jordán said that disseminating this experience contributes to the discussion on how to improve the sustainable development of cities, fomenting social integration.

“I love my neighborhood” develops urban works and plans, integrated projects and the recuperation of urban and socially deteriorated neighborhoods through the participation of its residents in defining needs and priorities.

The report highlights among its conclusions the importance of decentralization in decision-making, finances and administration in a community. This has made the Chilean programme a highly replicable success.

The experiences compiled by ECLAC indicate that one of the best ways to create benefits in the short-run and contribute to better sustainable urban management is to focus on clearly delimited areas, because this facilitates coordination between public and private institutions present there.

© Quiero mi Barrio - MINVU