Claudia González Muzzio

During Pinochet’s dictatorship, most of civil society and community organisations were restricted or banned, causing disaffection of citizens from public life and limiting social relations among neighbours. In addition, after the restoration of the democratic system, deepen neoliberal policies continued to promote individualism and lack of participation. However, during the last decades, and particularly after the earthquake and tsunami occurred in 2010 in Chile, several community organisations emerged to promote, recover and protect their local cultural heritage as an essential component of their identity. Beside the recognition of the risk faced by cultural and natural heritage due to its exposure to natural hazards, people have become aware about other hazards – even more dangerous-, including bureaucracy, gentrification, real estate speculation, lack of modern regulations, lack of incentives to protect heritage buildings, energy generation or mining projects, etc. Some communities have organised themselves to rebuild traditional adobe houses, some others to protect their neighbourhoods from the construction of high buildings -forcing changes in urban regulations-, and others are managing to promote traditional knowledge, the recovery of traditional construction techniques and intangible heritage, as well as to protect threatened natural heritage. Communities and other civil society organisations are not only safeguarding their own heritage but also making others in society aware about the importance of heritage for sustainable development, and for protecting and strengthening local identities. At the same time, people in different rural and urban areas have recovered previously lost social ties and have rebuilt their sense of space and belonging, creating and strengthening social capital, thus increasing their resilience and promoting sustainable development.

In May 2008, the city of Chaitén was completely evacuated due to the probability of a volcanic eruption. Few days later, the eruption caused severe flooding that almost destroyed the entire city. In the following months, the state developed plans for the relocation of Chaitén, and strategies to promote resilience and the recovery of population. However, plans and strategies resulted in unexpected results impacting people’s ability to resist, adapt to, and recover from future disasters. This paper explores a potential asymmetric relationship in the distribution of environmental risks and resilience within Chaitén. Such relationship can be partially explained by the volcanic eruption, but more importantly, by unforeseen effects of decision making and policies implemented for the recovery of the affected population. Effects of the implemented benefit schemes and decision making related to the inhabitability/relocation of Chaitén can offer some explanation about the current situation of Chaitén; a highly segregated and environmentally unjust city where public policies’ outputs are unevenly distributed. In this sense, this paper examines how plans and policies developed towards increasing resilience among population may, inversely, impact negatively on environmental justice, that is, on the distribution of environmental risks, exposure and disaster impacts.

Esta nota explora algunos vínculos entre la gobernanza de desastres y las inteligencias colectivas vinculadas a la construcción y diseño de productos en ciudades del Sur Global, al tiempo que ofrece algunas reflexiones para futuras investigaciones. Las ideas presentadas en este trabajo son el resultado de una serie de mesas redondas ocurridas el 2021 entre un grupo de especialistas en el área de estudios sobre desastres e inteligencias colectivas. La metodología se basó en temas discutidos previamente y preguntas orientadoras para explorar tales vínculos: ¿Tienen las inteligencias colectivas el poder de transformar estructuras sociales superiores en el ámbito de la construcción y la gestión del riesgo?; ¿cómo puede la gobernanza (formal) de los desastres y la urbana tratar con las inteligencias colectivas? Los resultados fueron sistematizados y resumidos en este trabajo. Algunos resultados señalan la necesidad de conectar el desarrollo urbano, la gobernanza de desastres, las intelig...

Esta breve introducción para el número especial “Descolonización de la ciencia de los desastres: enfoques desde Latinoamérica y Caribe” (Vol. 5, Núm. 2) busca promover la pluralidad del conocimiento mediante la valoración de las ontologías y epistemologías locales para descolonizar los estudios de desastres y trascender a los enfoques, fuentes, conceptos, metodologías, valores y lenguajes occidentales ‘bien establecidos’ que son predominantemente ajenos a los puntos críticos de desastres y riesgos que afectan a la región. Algunos de los temas abordados en el número especial incluyen: pensamiento social latinoamericano ante los desastres y epidemias; descolonización de la ciencia de los desastres; cosmovisiones, conocimiento de los pueblos oprimidos y saberes alternativos en la investigación de desastres; ecología de los saberes; antropología de los desastres; sociología de los desastres; nuevas geopolíticas y biopolíticas en los desastres y pandemias; modelos de d...

El volumen dos del número especial “Descolonización de la ciencia de los desastres: enfoques desde Latinoamérica y el Caribe” (Vol. 6. Núm. 1) busca promover el diálogo para descolonizar los estudios de desastres y trascender a los enfoques, fuentes, conceptos, metodologías, valores y lenguajes occidentales ‘bien establecidos’ que son predominantemente ajenos a los puntos críticos de desastres y riesgos que afectan a la región. Algunos de los temas abordados en el número especial incluyen: pensamiento social latinoamericano ante los desastres y epidemias; cosmovisiones, conocimiento de los pueblos oprimidos y saberes alternativos en la investigación de desastres; ecología de los saberes; antropología de los desastres; sociología de los desastres; modelos de desarrollo y producción social de los riesgos de desastres; procesos de vulneración, formas de opresión, desigualdad y pobreza en los desastres; desastres olvidados y pueblos oprimidos; dimensiones del poder en la...

Chile is a country of hazards. The World Bank (2005) recognises that Chile is one of the most hazard- prone regions in the world, as it is exposed to various hazards, such as earthquakes, volcanoes, floods and droughts that may affect more than 50% of the country’s population (World Bank 2005 in González 2010). The country has more than 2,000 volcanoes, 500 of them are geologically active. At least 60 volcanoes have presented eruptions during the last 450 years. However, in comparison to earthquakes, volcanic disasters are not so important in Chile. Regarding to the number of victims, for example, volcanic hazard accounts of the 0.2% of the total toll taken by “natural disasters” while 97% of the victims were due to earthquakes between 1900 and 2009 (EM-DAT 2010). Until 2008, when Chaitén’s eruption began, volcanic hazard was not highly considered. This time has been different. This work discusses the consequences that the volcanic eruption of Chaitén in 2008 has had not only for the homonym city but also for an entire province in one of the most isolated and extensive regions in Chile, and how decisions are being made with regard to land planning and disaster risk management. This study aims to critically assess the hazards present in Chaitén, to analyse the Natural Disaster Risk Management System at the local level, to evaluate the DRM system in the context of the eruption of 2008-2011 and, accordingly, to provide observations and recommendations for future action.

This chapter recounts post-disaster institutional and community responses in Chile after the Chaiten volcano eruption in 2008, and how some related processes of increasing post-disaster resilience may have impacted negatively upon environmental justice. We explore the design and implementation of post-disaster actions by national, regional and local authorities in the aftermath of a volcano eruption as ‘resilience-building measures’ and how they were contested by the practices of those initially relocated. Based on the examination of the response, recovery, relocation and reconstruction actions for Chaiten, this chapter discusses that post-disaster responses may have contributed to produce a highly segregated and environmentally unjust city where risks are unevenly distributed.

PurposeThis paper examines disaster capitalism in Chile, that is, the relationships between disasters and neoliberalism. It looks at two post-disaster dimensions: disasters as windows of opportunity to introduce political reforms and disasters as occasions for the corporate class to capitalize on such disasters.Design/methodology/approachTwo indices, disaster capitalism (DC) and post-disaster private involvement (PDPI), are proposed for cross-case analysis. They are based on legal records, institutional reports and economic data. The DC assesses the introduction of reforms following disasters, while PDPI evaluates the share of public-private funding used for recovery. Both indices are applied here to two disasters in Chile: the 2010 Maule earthquake, and the 2008 Chaitén volcanic eruption.FindingsResults show that the highly neoliberal Chilean context leaves limited space for new neoliberal reforms. Although recovery is implemented predominantly through the private sector, the state...

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015−2030’s (SFDRR) framing moved away from disaster risk as a natural phenomenon to the examination of the inequality and injustice at the root of human vulnerability to hazards and disasters. Yet, its achievements have not seriously challenged the long-established capitalist systems of oppression that hinder the development leading to disaster risk creation. This article is an exploratory mapping exercise of and a collective reflection on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and SFDRR indicators—and their use in measuring progress towards disaster risk reduction (DRR). We highlight that despite the rhetoric of vulnerability, the measurement of progress towards DRR remains event/hazard-centric. We argue that the measurement of disaster risk could be greatly enhanced by the integration of development data in future iterations of global DRR frameworks for action.

En los ultimos anos ha habido un progresivo incremento en la importancia de la actividad turistica como motor de desarrollo economico local en Chile y de los destinos de montana en particular, lo cual esta siendo impulsado mediante diversas politicas y programas a nivel nacional, regional y local. No obstante, estos territorios se encuentran altamente expuestos a amenazas geologicas e hidrometeorologicas, tratandose ademas de areas ambientalmente sensibles, por lo que para un desarrollo sostenible de la actividad turistica resulta urgente considerar una gestion integral de los riesgos asociados, contemplando a los actores institucionales, turoperadores y, particularmente, a los visitantes. Desde el punto de vista de la planificacion territorial, parece irresponsable promover la actividad turistica sin considerar, por una parte, el efecto de ella sobre el medio ambiente y por otra, las amenazas que pueden afectar el desarrollo economico y social que se busca fomentar, asi como tambie...

Los peligros geológicos y la planificación territorial han cobrado fuerza en el último tiempo en consideración de las distintas catástrofes que han afectado al país. El presente trabajo presenta un marco teórico y legal con el objetivo de dar un marco de referencia con respecto a las labores del geólogo en la planificación territorial.

Escasamente abordado en los estudios urbano-territoriales y en los instrumentos de planificación territorial, el estudio de la vulnerabilidad de las instalaciones esenciales o equipamientos críticos es cada vez más relevante a la hora de gestionar los riesgos en las áreas urbanas. Se describe sintéticamente metodologías de análisis multi-criterio y multi-amenazas, desarrolladas para estudios de riesgos en Chaitén, Valparaíso y Viña del Mar, así como para un estudio de edificios patrimoniales en la comuna de Santiago. Se identifica sus alcances, limitaciones y oportunidades de mejora, considerándose que constituyen un insumo relevante para apoyar a las autoridades y comunidades en la gestión del riesgo de desastres a nivel local y promover el aumento de la resiliencia de las áreas urbanas, así como la protección del patrimonio construido.

Chile is a country of hazards. The World Bank (2005) recognises that Chile is one of the most hazard- prone regions in the world, as it is exposed to various hazards, such as earthquakes, volcanoes, floods and droughts that may affect more than 50% of the
country’s population (World Bank 2005 in González 2010). The country has more than 2,000 volcanoes, 500 of them are geologically active. At least 60 volcanoes have presented eruptions during the last 450 years. However, in comparison to earthquakes, volcanic disasters are not so important in Chile. Regarding to the number of victims, for example, volcanic hazard accounts of the 0.2% of the total toll taken by “natural disasters” while 97% of the victims were due to earthquakes between 1900 and 2009 (EM-DAT 2010). Until 2008, when Chaitén’s eruption began, volcanic hazard was not highly considered. This time has been different.
This work discusses the consequences that the volcanic eruption of Chaitén in 2008 has had not only for the homonym city but also for an entire province in one of the most isolated and extensive regions in Chile, and how decisions are being made with regard to
land planning and disaster risk management. This study aims to critically assess the hazards present in Chaitén, to analyse the Natural Disaster Risk Management System at the local level, to evaluate the DRM system in the context of the eruption of 2008-2011 and, accordingly, to provide observations and recommendations for future action.

The Maule earthquake, occurred in Chile on 27 February 2010, was felt in a vast area of the country, affecting around 2,500,000 people in 239 communes. About 1,000 urban entities suffered the consequences of the disaster. More than 500 people died and losses were estimated in USD $30 billion. State's first responses were erratic and slow showing lack of preparation to face a major disaster. In that context, community resilience is critical to recovery and to reduce risks from future events but also is critical the resilience of companies, and both are interrelated in many ways. The public sector as well as DRR practitioners should take into account these interdependencies in a way that contribute to recovery, reconstruction and to increase resilience of cities and countries. The paper highlights resilient behaviour and responses taken by the community and some companies to cope with the difficulties arisen from the earthquake, during the emergency period and the reconstruction process. It is based on recent publications from the authors as well as the revision and analysis of other case studies regarding the response of both communities and businesses to the consequences of the disaster. Different scales are involved in the analysis, from families to neighbours, from cities to regions. It systematizes practices to motivate local and national authorities to learn from these experiences an also to see both communities and companies as partners in preparing cities for future events, increasing urban resilience. Improve communication systems and channels within communities and companies as well as between them and the authorities; identify possible leaders and increase their coping and organizational capacity as well as promote partnerships between stakeholders is a continuous effort that everyone should pursue to contribute to disaster risk reduction at all levels.

Land planning has been seen as a powerful tool for disaster risk reduction, in addition to construction codes and standards. In Chile, the latter have been constantly improved after successive disasters –mainly earthquakes- but land-use planning has been less developed in this context. Specially, after recent events its shortcomings have become more apparent.
The Chilean restricted regulatory scope and its slow processes of preparation and approval have been obstacles for improvements in non-structural measures. The lack of a holistic understanding of the risk has diminished the role of planning as an effective tool in reducing the vulnerability of the urban population.
Even after the 2010 earthquake and tsunami there has been progress in the promotion of complementary policy instruments for urban management. Comprehensive risk studies have been included in the development of the urban planning tools, instead of hazards assessments only. However, urbanisation and building regulations and conditions -including land use- have had minimal responses to the weaknesses arisen in disaster times.
Analysing urban planning instruments and general planning regulations, this paper assesses the capacity of these tools in reducing disaster risk in affected urban areas, evaluating the progress made in the incorporation of risks in urban planning instruments, so effectively reduce the vulnerability of population to natural hazards. Consequently, the paper explores some necessary adjustments to the current planning policy framework.

Land planning, considered as a useful tool for disaster risk reduction, is a very important matter because well-planned cities reduce people’s vulnerability both to natural and anthropogenic hazards. However, there are several factors that hinder the possibility to make planning successful in reducing people’s vulnerability or enhance resilience. This paper focuses in the way that Chilean land planning framework and the socio-economic system influence the effectiveness of pre and post disaster planning in the context of two “natural disasters” occurred in the last decade: the eruption of Chaiten volcano, in the south of Chile and the 2010 earthquake that affected the central area of the country.