2018 Reports

Democratizing Urban Resilience in Antofagasta, Chile

Camponeschi, Chiara

Antofagasta, Chile, exemplifies a participatory approach to urban resilience, emphasizing co-design and community engagement in climate adaptation. Facing risks from flooding, earthquakes, and landslides, the city partnered with local universities, neighborhood associations, and the urban planning collective Ciudad Emergente to implement initiatives such as Malones Urbanos, Okuplazas, and Limpiezas Participativas. These events and programs create inclusive spaces for residents to contribute to urban planning, reclaim public spaces, address waste management, and co-develop tools for monitoring social and environmental health. Antofagasta’s approach demonstrates that meaningful public participation strengthens social cohesion, builds local ownership of adaptation measures, and fosters innovation in urban governance, providing a model for democratizing resilience in other cities.