APPROACHING LATIN AMERICAN CITIES FROM THE BOTTOM-UP: SELF-HELP NETWORKS, PLACE IDENTITY AND PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH
Creators: name: Riaño, Yvonne
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2000
Subjects: Ecuador, Latin American informal barrios, urbanisation, self-help networks, participatory research, place identity

description: of environmental degradation, poverty, violence and criminality are heightening across the continent. One of the important reasons for this phenomenon is the inability of many urban residents to identify themselves with their environment. This is a result of equity problems, such as the deficient integration of several social groups and the lack of social respect for individuals and groups in the city. The traditional academic measure of quality of life, exclusively based on economic growth and the improvement of material living conditions, needs to be expanded to include the socio-cultural dimensions of social integration and place identification. Such an expanded perspective requires participatory methods that allow for creative interaction between city residents, urban professionals, industry representatives and policy makers. Based on the case study of the barrio Mena del Hierro in the periphery of Quito (Ecuador), this paper presents an implementation of the expanded, participatory perspective. A mix of quantitative and qualitative techniques was used with emphasis on participatory video production, social mapping and open-ended interviews. The technique of social mapping has proved a useful means of (a) ·understanding the spatial structure of self-help networks, and (b) identifying the geographical boundaries of diverse communities in the city. Results from the participatory research have revealed the tremendous role of self-help organisation in the improvement of the quality of life of barrio residents. Structured by networks of reciprocal help, barrio residents have managed to install a fresh water supply and distribution system, improve other infrastructure facilities for the barrio, and develop a wealth of socio-cultural activities that maintain the social cohesion of the community. Urban farming, small-scale industry and the direct import of agricultural produce from the countryside for sale in the city, are examples of the informal economic activities developed by barrio residents. These activities are not only essential for the economic survival of the residents, but also for the survival of their rural partners in the barrio's exchange networks. Being members of social networks in the city and in the countryside has helped residents to develop a sense of place that affords them orientation in their daily lives. On the basis of this case study, some perspectives on research for the future are proposed. A plea is made for: (a) an integral and participatory approach to quality of life research, based on exemplary case studies, (b) renewed attention to the role of grassroots organisations in urban-rural development, (c) careful examination of the social, spatial and temporal organisation of self-help groups, (d) assessment of their strengths and vulnerabilities in the context of changing global processes, and (e) evaluation of the viability of concerted action with municipal authorities and representatives of large scale industry and international development corporations.
description: The article here attached is available for download.