I. Estudios Urbanos y Territoriales

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Browsing I. Estudios Urbanos y Territoriales by Author "Aguirre-Nunez, Carlos"

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    Infrastructural inequality: exploring the emergence of digital classes in the Metropolitan Area of Santiago, Chile
    (2023) Correa, Juan; Ulloa-Leon, Felipe; Vergara-Perucich, Francisco; Aguirre-Nunez, Carlos; Truffello, Ricardo
    This paper examines the digital divide in the city of Santiago, Chile. The research uses the density of mobile phone antennas as a proxy for digital infrastructure. The findings show that there is a strong correlation between the density of mobile phone antennas and socioeconomic status. Areas with higher incomes and more mobile phone antennas have better Internet connectivity than areas with lower incomes and fewer mobile phone antennas. The objective is to shed light on the power dynamics and invisible networks that shape the configuration of infrastructures, highlighting the need for equitable access to the digital world as a fundamental democratic right. The conclusions indicate that communication infrastructures are unevenly distributed and that the transition from analogue to smart cities risks exacerbating social inequalities. Rectifying these disparities is essential to avoid leaving the most vulnerable behind in technological transitions.
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    Mapping Energy Poverty: How Much Impact Do Socioeconomic, Urban and Climatic Variables Have at a Territorial Scale?
    (MDPI, 2022) Encinas, Felipe; Truffello, Ricardo; Aguirre-Nunez, Carlos; Puig, Isidro; Vergara-Perucich, Francisco; Freed, Carmen; Rodriguez, Blanca; CEDEUS (Chile)
    Energy poverty, considered a form of deprivation distinct from income poverty, is associated with three factors: low-income levels, high energy costs, and poor residential energy efficiency. It is necessary to study the socio-spatial distribution of energy poverty, particularly in metropolitan areas, due to persistent socioeconomic segregation and their public agenda implications, including the U.N. SDGs. A model of these characteristics can propose a spatial analysis of urban and climate implications, contributing evidence for public policy. This article aims to address energy poverty from a spatial approach extended to the urban area in Santiago de Chile through an exploratory model that estimates the impact of socioeconomic, urban, and climatic variables at a territorial scale on the performance of homes. Using a geographical weighted regression with the inside home temperature in winter as the dependent variable, the independent variables were the percentage of professionals, NDVI, annual thermal amplitude, and housing material quality. A housing quality pattern that acts as a proxy for vulnerability to energy poverty was found, repeating the distribution pattern of the different socioeconomic sectors. The findings incorporate a new interpretive matrix into the complex reproduction of segregation and inequality in a capital city from a developing country.
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    Perceptions, Tensions, and Contradictions in Timber Construction: Insights from End-Users in a Chilean Forest City
    (2024) Encinas, Felipe; Truffello, Ricardo; Ubilla, Mario; Aguirre-Nunez, Carlos; Schueftan, Alejandra; CEDEUS (Chile)
    The study addresses the underutilisation of wood in construction in Chile, particularly given the country's robust forestry sector. The research investigates perceptions, tensions, and contradictions among end-users regarding timber construction in Valdivia, a city with a mixed forestry industry. Methods included a comprehensive survey of 96 households across various socioeconomic clusters, utilising descriptive and exploratory statistical analyses. Key findings reveal persistent negative perceptions about wood's durability, fire resistance, and maintenance costs. However, positive aspects, such as lower construction costs and adequate thermal comfort, were also noted. Surprisingly, concerns were raised about wood's environmental impact, including deforestation and its role in combating climate change, contrasting with the material's known ecological benefits. The study concludes that these perceptions are deeply influenced by ideological and sociopolitical factors, suggesting that mere marketing strategies may not suffice to alter public opinion. Instead, a collaborative effort involving public policy, industry advancements, and transparent scientific communication is essential to promote the benefits of timber construction and address the entrenched biases.