Socio-spatial violence and inequality: conceptual considerations concerning the geographical development in Latin America

Abstract

This theoretical article develops the conceptual foundations of contemporary socio-spatial building of territory in the Latin American region. In its initial phase we reason on how Strategic Planning is installed in this region of the world. According to various researchers, this model of urban intervention transforms the city into a luxury merchandise destined for an elite group of potential buyers (Vainer, 2000: 83) which has strengthened the position of speculative capital (Ciccolella, 2005: 106). The new unequal urban pattern, developed in North America since the sixties of last century and that expanded into Europe and South America during the following decades. In addition, to understand the logic that defines the urban space analyzed and to reinforce Vainer and Ciccolella´s theses, the competitiveness variables are analyzed as well as the society of consumption; fragmentation and urban segregation and finally space racialization. The research examines these variables in order to provide light into building a more balanced socio-spatial territory, rivaling with the dominant trend to territorialize uneven geographical development, a goal that gains relevance when considering that the Latin American region has the highest rates of inequality and violence in the world. However, governments continue appealing to correct these facts with more violence and repression, without considering structural issues such as the subordinated and dependent economic model, thus aggravating social conditions through authoritarian actions that combat the consequences and not the causes.