Urban-Housing Deficit Project: Report on Chilean Cities and Regions

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1 Urban-Housing Deficit Project: Report on Chilean Cities and Regions COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND URBAN STUDIES (CEHU), MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (MINVU) CHILE Housing project, Fondo Solidario de Vivienda Programme. Biobío Region, Chile. The Context During the year 2009 the Chilean Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MINVU) created and led a Working Commission on the Urban - Housing Deficit. Concepts, methodologies, measuring instruments and indicators have been revised and discussed in the context of the strategic objectives of the urban and housing policy. The latter has defined quality and social integration as its core elements, expressed in terms of decent housing, integrated neighbourhoods and sustainable cities.

2 It is appropriate to define and analyse separately both housing and urban needs, regarding to the national development.. It shouldn t be acceptable to provide high standard housing without quality urban spaces, services and infrastructure. Neither should be acceptable to produce first-class urban space without building houses of an adequate standard. The currently nation-wide working commission on these themes has proposed to mutually complement these approaches and define standards that may help to unify both dimensions: urban and housing. The discussion process and analysis developed by the just mentioned working commission has been enriched with the participation of representatives of different national public institutions, the private sector and representatives of the civil society. A systematic process has thus been carried out, oriented to obtain an integrated approach to urban and housing issues and, at the same time, generate a multi-sector national discussion. The Challenges The discussions have so far led to agreeing upon a common new concept of urban housing deficit that requires further work to deeply and precisely deal with three central issues: The definition of the urban-housing deficit from an integral perspective considering housing in its particular location, including the urban dimensions of infrastructure, public spaces and services. To dimension the differential urban land dynamics as a contextual variable that requires measurement and permanent monitoring. To quantify and characterise the urban-housing situation of the human settlements of the country, making periodic calculations and projections. A two-year work program is proposed to advance in the development of these reports, coinciding with the start of the new Chilean government in office for the period. This cycle of tasks has to face two key challenges: 1. Promote the role of local and regional governments, enhancing their coordination and complemented action. Definition and urban dimensions of Urban-Housing Deficit. 2. To strengthen the active participation of civil society in the development of the diagnostic process. Additionally we see the need to elaborate on four specific topics: Measure and analyze the Urban-Housing Deficit from a comprehensive perspective that considers housing in its urban location, including urban dimensions such as infrastructure, public spaces and services.

3 Sizing the dynamics of urban land as a crucial contextual variable, which requires continuous measurement and monitoring. Characterize and quantify the urban-housing situation in cities and regions, and make regular estimates and dynamic projections about Urban-Housing Deficit. Identify areas and vulnerable population from the perspective of the Urban-Housing Deficit. Calle-Calle River, Los Ríos Region. The Project The project of the working commission on the Urban - Housing Deficit completed its first phase in November 2009 with the presentation of the document "Urban Housing Deficit: A comprehensive view at the habitat and quality of life in Chile". The main achievements during this initial period were: a) Definitions of concepts: Components of Urban- Housing Deficit. b) Construction of a Methodology of Analysis. c) Strategic Diagnosis of Urban-Housing Deficit with a territorial perspective. d) Identification of measurement tools and findings using the components and variables presented in the methodological phase. The actual programme of activities of the national working commission on the Urban - Housing Deficit pretend to finish a first phase of work in October 2009, with its primary products: a) Definitions. b) Methodologies for the treatment of variables and indicators. c) Identification of sources of information. d) Identification of instruments for measurement and monitoring. e) Data at a national level. The present project implies to initiate work in a second phase on the urban-housing deficit project, consisting of the conformation of fifteen regional working groups, one for each of the same number of regions of the country. The starting point would be the products of the preceding phase, and its main aim would be to develop applications and adaptations to particular geographical, social, economic and cultural conditions of the cities and regions of the country that shape their specific urbanhousing context. In a similar way as the national working commission worked, the regional working groups should invite representatives of the different public, private and civil society organizations and institutions. Their task would be to share information a viewpoints, and also give greater precision to the concepts, methodologies and data so as to improve the foundations for the redefinition of policy and investment programmes.

4 Territories with Urban-Housing Deficit in the City of Chillán (Biobío Region, Chile): Summary index of housing, infrastructure, services and public spaces shortage (2009) High 9-10 Medium 1-8 Low Source: MINVU, 2009 The Process The materialisation of the project will be centred in the conformation of regional interdisciplinary and interinstitutional working groups, with the participation of the civil society and local governments. The MINVU Regional Secretariats will coordinate de regional working groups as well as the production of documents that may result necessary. The measurement of deficits will be based on the methodology defined by the 2009 national working commission, and will depend on primary and secondary data existing in each region. Wherever data is found insufficient, sample surveys and special research may be promoted and executed. The information organised, systematised and collected should be geo-referenced to allow for spatial analysis. Project activities 1. Conformation of regional working groups. 2. Initial workshop. 3. Monthly monitoring reports. 4. Building of data management model. 5. Regional seminars. 6. Final seminar. 7. Final reports. Unión Obrera Housing Project, Valparaíso.

5 The Products National Urban-Housing Report of the Chilean Cities and Regions. 15 Regional Urban-Housing Reports. Methodology and working handbook. Workshops and discussion seminars. Special sample surveys. Data management model. Web Site and intranet. Publication of research and discussion papers. More Information Project leader: Eugenio Espinoza, Research and Evaluation Officer Committee on Housing and Urban Studies, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Phone: This brochure and other documentation available for download at: Other Sources of Information Available: Housing Observatory Its purpose is to provide technical support for the design and implementation of public policies and urban housing, monitoring the results of housing policy and generate indicators aimed at the formulation of these public policies. In addition, provides comprehensive and updated information on the evolution of the housing market as a whole. Web site: Urban Observatory Designed to support the management and development of urban areas by providing universal access to information available on cities. Its primary mission is to provide open access to urban information, empowering the community and strengthening local and regional urban management. At the same time ii produces regular reports on urban issues for decisions on public investment and regulation. Web site: Housing, Neighbourhood and Cities Network Network of professional researchers linked to knowledge-producing organizations in the area of housing and urban development to promote a permanent and fluid relationship between them to stimulate professional dialogue and multidisciplinary knowledge on significant issues relevant to public policy. It is maintained by the Chilean Ministry of Housing and Urban Development since Web site: