Marcela Tovar Restrepo | Columbia University (original) (raw)

Papers by Marcela Tovar Restrepo

Transbordering Latin Americas, 2013

Hence, the multifaceted debates on care and sustainability have not yet succeeded in building a b... more Hence, the multifaceted debates on care and sustainability have not yet succeeded in building a bridge between these two topics. In contrast to a greener economy that maintains the economic structure and profit-making capitalist logic of the existing system, feminists are stressing the need for structural changes in the economic system with an emphasis on integrative and distributional aspects of sustainable development.

Over the last three decades in Latin America, indigenous movements have played key roles in re-vi... more Over the last three decades in Latin America, indigenous movements have played key roles in re-visioning democratic processes from local to global horizons. Indigenous peoples have sought to redefine their identity, their constitutional rights and duties, and their relation to the state. From Chile to M exico, sprouting transnational citizenship projects have emerged, con testing not only the foundational nation-state tropes but also conventional isomorphisms established between place, space, and culture. These ethnic rights initiatives have exceeded nation-state boundaries, making evident the existence of ethnically different nations within estab lished political, jurisdictional, and administrative limits. Living in nations within nations, indigenous men and women have claimed special citizen ship rights, deploying diverse strategies to produce new forms of gender and cultural difference, sameness, or self-presentation. Such strategies have required the flexible and transnational mobility of these peoples between historically and hierarchically interconnected local, regional, and global spaces. Local communities, national states, NGOs, and regional and inter national movements have been crucial sites where indigenous peoples have negotiated issues of identity, established different alliances, and posed new political, cultural, and gendered geographies. This chapter explores strategies followed by indigenous peoplesboth men and women-to produce new forms of gender and cultural dif ference within local and global shared and connected spaces. I focus on how these processes force us to rethink the politics of space, community, identity, and citizenship in Latin America. For that purpose, national constitutions and international agreements (e.g., the United Nations Dec laration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2 0 0 7) are analyzed as key loci that illustrate how transnational imaginary significations, related to identity and citizenship, have traveled from local to global spheres, making possible the recognition of indigenous rights. I discuss contribu tions made by articulation theory to understand processes of creation of ethnic sameness and difference that are at the core of these emergent transnational citizenship projects pursued by indigenous movements. Furtherm ore, having worked with indigenous movements in different local and national instances in Colombia, international instances (e.g., United Nations forums), and human rights NGOs, my participant obser vation adds useful content to this analysis.1 Here, the term tra n sn a tio n a l mostly refers to relations among post colonial nation-states but also acknowledges indigenous peoples as con stituting nations within these nation-states. In English, the term n ation is commonly used to refer to ethnic minorities or indigenous peoples within postcolonial countries, to the point that Canada collectively calls its indigenous peoples First Nations-6 3 0 recognized governments or bands across the country. Conversely, n ation has not been a term commonly used in Spanish to connote indigenous peoples. This is so in part because, in general, indigenous peoples refer to themselves by their own proper names (e.g., Mapuche people) or as indigenous peoples (particularly in their struggles to claim national civil rights or build transnational coalitions, as I explain below). Additionally, Latin Ameri can nation-state governments, recently discussing their national projects and adopting new constitutions, have largely resisted the recognition of indigenous peoples as nations because of the perceived juridical com plications and risks of secession that such denominations may entail, although they have sustain heated debates about the matter of indig enous self-determination rights. The adoption of the term n ation may have started to spread, however, as Bolivia, in 2 0 0 9 , adopted a new constitution that changed the name of the country from the Republic of Bolivia to the Plurinational State of Bolivia in recognition of the multi ethnic nature of the country and the enhanced position of its indigenous peoples under the new law.

The project Green Economy and Green Growth-Who Cares? was supported by the German Ministry for th... more The project Green Economy and Green Growth-Who Cares? was supported by the German Ministry for the Environment, Nature Protection and Nuclear Safety. The supporters shall not guarantee the accuracy, validity or integrity of the information, nor take the private rights of third parties into consideration. The views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily the same as the supporters'. CONTENT Sustainable Economy and Green Growth: Who Cares? Gender: Gender is a social construct, which assigns roles and responsibilities to men and women. Generally gender relations are constructed in a hierarchy. Globally women experience social, economic, political and cultural marginalisation and exclusion due to the gendered division of labour and socio-cultural norms. This can vary according to class, race, ethnic or religious affiliation. Gender and gender relations are socially constructed as well as materially (re)produced. Sustainable Development: The term development is a slippery slope with a long and difficult history and which has come under fire for its underlying eurocentric, patriarchal and racist ideology. According to the UN, Sustainable Development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Green Economy: There is no agreed upon definition of Green Economy. According to UNEP, a Green Economy is one that improves human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. For the OECD, Green Growth is a framework for countries to achieve economic growth and development while preventing costly environmental degradation, climate change and inefficient use of natural resources. Many civil society organisations reject the term and refer for example to "Sustainable and Equitable Economic Activity" that has a stronger emphasis on justice, equity and responsibility. Global North/South: These are not geographic terms, but are rather used to describe the global political and socioeconomic power structures between and within countries that are marked by the unequal distribution of power. In this paper the terms Global North and Global South are used to highlight the role of power, rather than the contested concept of development inherent in the terms developing/developed countries. Developed/developing: The categories developing/developed, usually used in international negotiations or institutions, takes the level of industrialisation, technological infrastructures, standard of living, Human Development Index, levels of income and/or GDP levels into account. Often the terms low/high income or industrialised country are used synonymously. Either way, the terms lack clear definition, are politically charged and fail to account for the recent emerging economies like Brazil, India or China. Care Economy: In a broad sense, care work refers to the often unpaid work done caring for people, nature, animals and future generations. Care work is performed either unpaid within the household or remunerated in the market economy, or it is provided by the state or non-profit organisations. Additionally, it can also be understood to include care for the environment and future generations. Reproductive Economy: Recently there has been a shift from the term reproductive work to care work. The former term has its roots in Marxist analysis of the gendered division of labour focusing on the material and economic aspects of the non-market economy. Care work, on the other hand, emphasises the emotional dimension of such tasks and the importance of inter-personal relationships. Livelihood: A person's livelihood refers to their "means of securing the necessities of life". Livelihood is defined as a set of (economic) activities, involving subsistence work, self-employment, and/or wage employment to generate adequate resources for meeting the requirements of the self and household on a sustainable basis with dignity. A livelihood is sustainable when it can cope with and recover from stresses and shocks and maintain or enhance its capabilities and assets both now and in the future, without undermining the natural resource base. genanet is LIFE's focal point gender, environment, sustainability, which focuses on mainstreaming gender into environmental policy and critically engaging with and monitoring political processes on national, European and international levels. genanet's main focus is on gender in energy and climate change policy, nevertheless addressing other environmental fields too. Among others, genanet is conducting research, providing reports and studies, preparing position statements, facilitating networks to discuss strategies to implement gender mainstreaming or to further debates on various environmental issues from a gender perspective. Conny van Heemstra Sustainable Economy and Care Economy Concepts, linkages and questions Sustainable Economy and Green Growth: Who Cares? Sustainable Economy and Care Economy. Concepts, linkages and questions The Care Economy Care Work-which involves caring for people, nature or future generations-can be paid or unpaid, and occur in the household or the market, and be provided by the state or non-profit organisations. Care Work is inherently a social and relational process and is characterised by asymmetric relationships between the caregiver and receiver. Whether Care Work is paid or unpaid, it is generally unrecognised, undervalued, and thus, poorly paid. In the United States, Sustainable Economy and Green Growth: Who Cares? Sustainable Economy and Care Economy. Concepts, linkages and questions Sustainable Economy and Green Growth: Who Cares? Sustainable Economy and Care Economy. Concepts, linkages and questions 'global value chain', we may effectively 'chain' them to a system that is fundamentally flawed" (Tandon 2012b: 8), especially if the burden of unremunerated work is not evenly distributed between men and women.

Urban Studies, 2021

This paper discusses how intersecting identities, stigma and health-based infrastructures are spa... more This paper discusses how intersecting identities, stigma and health-based infrastructures are spatially affiliated and territorialised in the South East of England through the findings of three research projects aimed at understanding health inequalities among urban Black, Asian and Ethnic Minorities including Gypsies and Travellers (BAME and GT) groups. It problematises Wacquant’s approach to territorial stigma by explaining how Butler’s notion of vulnerability and Castoriadis’ notion of autonomous agency help to expand our understanding of the interplay between stigma and health infrastructures. Moreover, it suggests that such interplay requires an intersectional approach to identity as performative and embodied practice using illustrative examples. We propose that these health settings and infrastructures can be characterised as ‘transbordering assemblages’, following Irazábal who describes its embedded notions of pluri-locality (here and there: ‘[T]Here’), pluri-identity and pra...

Climate Change and Cities

Cities are characterized by a great diversity of socioeconomic groups living in close proximity. ... more Cities are characterized by a great diversity of socioeconomic groups living in close proximity. Diversity is often accompanied by stratification based on class, caste, gender, profession, race, ethnicity, age, and ability. This gives rise to social categories that, in turn, affect the ability of individuals and various groups to endure climate stresses and minimize climate risks. Differences between strata often lead to discrimination based on group membership. Poorer people and ethnic and racial minorities tend to live in more hazard-prone, vulnerable, and crowded parts of cities. These circumstances increase their susceptibility to the impacts of climate change and reduce their capacity to adapt to and withstand extreme events. Key Messages Urban climate policies should include equity and environmental justice as primary long-term goals. Equity fosters human well-being, social capital, and sustainable social and economic urban development, all of which increase a city's capacity to respond to climate change. Access to land situated in nonvulnerable locations, security of tenure, and access to basic services and risk-reducing infrastructure are particularly important. Cities need to promote and share a science-informed policy-making process that integrates multiple stakeholder interests to avoid inflexible, top-down solutions. This can be accomplished by participatory processes that incorporate community members' views about resilience objectives and feasibility. Over time, climate change policies and programs need to be evaluated and adjusted to ensure that resilience and equity goals are reached. Periodic monitoring and evaluation using fair indicators and progress measurements, budgetary transparency, and equitable resource allocation schemes are essential to ensure that funds reach target groups and result in equitable resilience outcomes.

Environment and Urbanization, 2017

Climate change is acknowledged as the largest threat to our societies in the coming decades, pote... more Climate change is acknowledged as the largest threat to our societies in the coming decades, potentially affecting large and diverse groups of urban residents in this century of urbanization. As urban areas house highly diverse people with differing vulnerabilities, intensifying climate change is likely to shift the focus of discussions from a general urban perspective to who in cities will be affected by climate change, and how. This brings the urban equity question to the forefront. Here we assess how climate change events may amplify urban inequity. We find that heatwaves, but also flooding, landslides, and even mitigation and adaptation measures, affect specific population groups more than others. As underlying sensitivity factors we consistently identify socioeconomic status and gender. We synthesize the findings with regard to equity types – meaning outcome-based, process-oriented and context-related equity – and suggest solutions for avoiding increased equity and justice conc...

Revista INVI, 2009

This article talks about the Fondecyt Research Project No. 1061179 fi nal stage results (2008) na... more This article talks about the Fondecyt Research Project No. 1061179 fi nal stage results (2008) named "Senior Citizens Quality Life in Urban Habitat: Valparaiso Case Study." The investigation addresses the problem of senior citizens quality life in the city, particularly Valparaiso. This city is a special interest case study as it has the highest ageing indexes of the three largest Chilean cities. It also depicts a urban cultural and patrimonial character and a steep topography that shelters a socially heterogeneous population. This age group quality life indexes in Valparaiso portrays the quantitative and quality research results. The analysis carried out shows signifi cant differences between the variables that affects this group quality life, related where they live in

Latin American Perspectives, 2013

The violence and de/reterritorializing strategies used by armed groups in Colombia disproportiona... more The violence and de/reterritorializing strategies used by armed groups in Colombia disproportionally affect indigenous peoples, especially indigenous women, whose ethno-gender roles, forms of territoriality, agency, and autonomy are being altered. Conflict and new forms of territoriality restrict the satisfaction of ethno-gender-based material needs and interests, with negative impacts on women’s own and their families’ lives. At the same time, they offer some women new roles, agency, and autonomy and empowerment through individual and collective action. Policy makers should strive to open up these windows of opportunity for indigenous women while protecting them from the depredations of war. La violencia y las estrategias de des/reterritorialización utilizadas por grupos armados en Colombia afectan desproporcionadamente a los indígenas, especialmente a las mujeres indígenas, cuyos roles etno-géneros, formas de territorialidad, agencia, y autonomía están siendo alterados. El conflic...

Journal of Aging Studies, 2010

We would like to recognize and extend a special thank-you to those who made this project possible... more We would like to recognize and extend a special thank-you to those who made this project possible. Our projects and learning experiences have benefited immensely from the support, time, and enthusiasm that you have kindly shared with us. We hope this report reflects the importance and our gratitude for your contributions.

AbStrACt Climate change is acknowledged as the largest threat to our societies in the coming deca... more AbStrACt Climate change is acknowledged as the largest threat to our societies in the coming decades, potentially affecting large and diverse groups of urban residents in this century of urbanization. As urban areas house highly diverse people with differing vulnerabilities, intensifying climate change is likely to shift the focus of discussions from a general urban perspective to who in cities will be affected by climate change, and how. This brings the urban equity question to the forefront. Here we assess how climate change events may amplify urban inequity. We find that heatwaves, but also flooding, landslides, and even mitigation and adaptation measures, affect specific population groups more than others. As underlying sensitivity factors we consistently identify socioeconomic status and gender. We synthesize the findings with regard to equity types – meaning outcome-based, process-oriented and context-related equity – and suggest solutions for avoiding increased equity and justice concerns as a result of climate change impacts, adaptation and mitigation.

This paper is framed within the context of the Fondecyt Research Project (No. 1061179) entitled "... more This paper is framed within the context of the Fondecyt Research Project (No. 1061179) entitled "Senior Citizens' quality of life in an Urban Habitat: Valparaiso, a Case Study." It investigates how certain topographical conditions in the urban habitat impact on the quality of life of the population's most senior age group. Following a theoretical approach, we discuss some of the initial results obtained in our field research, integrating a quantitative technique of territorial analysis, GIS maps, and the qualitative techniques of Focus Groups and ethnographic interviews. The study of senior citizens' perceptions of their quality of life in Valparaiso indicates that the city's irregular topography and character as a heritage city mediate how the elderly perceive the urban space, creating social networks and a sense of community uniquely their own.

Journal of Aging Studies, 2010

This paper is framed within the context of the Fondecyt Research Project (No. 1061179) entitled “... more This paper is framed within the context of the Fondecyt Research Project (No. 1061179) entitled “Senior Citizens' quality of life in an Urban Habitat: Valparaiso, a Case Study.” It investigates how certain topographical conditions in the urban habitat impact on the quality of life of the population's most senior age group. Following a theoretical approach, we discuss some of the initial results obtained in our field research, integrating a quantitative technique of territorial analysis, GIS maps, and the qualitative techniques of Focus Groups and ethnographic interviews. The study of senior citizens' perceptions of their quality of life in Valparaiso indicates that the city's irregular topography and character as a heritage city mediate how the elderly perceive the urban space, creating social networks and a sense of community uniquely their own.

Transbordering Latin Americas, 2013

Hence, the multifaceted debates on care and sustainability have not yet succeeded in building a b... more Hence, the multifaceted debates on care and sustainability have not yet succeeded in building a bridge between these two topics. In contrast to a greener economy that maintains the economic structure and profit-making capitalist logic of the existing system, feminists are stressing the need for structural changes in the economic system with an emphasis on integrative and distributional aspects of sustainable development.

Over the last three decades in Latin America, indigenous movements have played key roles in re-vi... more Over the last three decades in Latin America, indigenous movements have played key roles in re-visioning democratic processes from local to global horizons. Indigenous peoples have sought to redefine their identity, their constitutional rights and duties, and their relation to the state. From Chile to M exico, sprouting transnational citizenship projects have emerged, con testing not only the foundational nation-state tropes but also conventional isomorphisms established between place, space, and culture. These ethnic rights initiatives have exceeded nation-state boundaries, making evident the existence of ethnically different nations within estab lished political, jurisdictional, and administrative limits. Living in nations within nations, indigenous men and women have claimed special citizen ship rights, deploying diverse strategies to produce new forms of gender and cultural difference, sameness, or self-presentation. Such strategies have required the flexible and transnational mobility of these peoples between historically and hierarchically interconnected local, regional, and global spaces. Local communities, national states, NGOs, and regional and inter national movements have been crucial sites where indigenous peoples have negotiated issues of identity, established different alliances, and posed new political, cultural, and gendered geographies. This chapter explores strategies followed by indigenous peoplesboth men and women-to produce new forms of gender and cultural dif ference within local and global shared and connected spaces. I focus on how these processes force us to rethink the politics of space, community, identity, and citizenship in Latin America. For that purpose, national constitutions and international agreements (e.g., the United Nations Dec laration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2 0 0 7) are analyzed as key loci that illustrate how transnational imaginary significations, related to identity and citizenship, have traveled from local to global spheres, making possible the recognition of indigenous rights. I discuss contribu tions made by articulation theory to understand processes of creation of ethnic sameness and difference that are at the core of these emergent transnational citizenship projects pursued by indigenous movements. Furtherm ore, having worked with indigenous movements in different local and national instances in Colombia, international instances (e.g., United Nations forums), and human rights NGOs, my participant obser vation adds useful content to this analysis.1 Here, the term tra n sn a tio n a l mostly refers to relations among post colonial nation-states but also acknowledges indigenous peoples as con stituting nations within these nation-states. In English, the term n ation is commonly used to refer to ethnic minorities or indigenous peoples within postcolonial countries, to the point that Canada collectively calls its indigenous peoples First Nations-6 3 0 recognized governments or bands across the country. Conversely, n ation has not been a term commonly used in Spanish to connote indigenous peoples. This is so in part because, in general, indigenous peoples refer to themselves by their own proper names (e.g., Mapuche people) or as indigenous peoples (particularly in their struggles to claim national civil rights or build transnational coalitions, as I explain below). Additionally, Latin Ameri can nation-state governments, recently discussing their national projects and adopting new constitutions, have largely resisted the recognition of indigenous peoples as nations because of the perceived juridical com plications and risks of secession that such denominations may entail, although they have sustain heated debates about the matter of indig enous self-determination rights. The adoption of the term n ation may have started to spread, however, as Bolivia, in 2 0 0 9 , adopted a new constitution that changed the name of the country from the Republic of Bolivia to the Plurinational State of Bolivia in recognition of the multi ethnic nature of the country and the enhanced position of its indigenous peoples under the new law.

The project Green Economy and Green Growth-Who Cares? was supported by the German Ministry for th... more The project Green Economy and Green Growth-Who Cares? was supported by the German Ministry for the Environment, Nature Protection and Nuclear Safety. The supporters shall not guarantee the accuracy, validity or integrity of the information, nor take the private rights of third parties into consideration. The views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily the same as the supporters'. CONTENT Sustainable Economy and Green Growth: Who Cares? Gender: Gender is a social construct, which assigns roles and responsibilities to men and women. Generally gender relations are constructed in a hierarchy. Globally women experience social, economic, political and cultural marginalisation and exclusion due to the gendered division of labour and socio-cultural norms. This can vary according to class, race, ethnic or religious affiliation. Gender and gender relations are socially constructed as well as materially (re)produced. Sustainable Development: The term development is a slippery slope with a long and difficult history and which has come under fire for its underlying eurocentric, patriarchal and racist ideology. According to the UN, Sustainable Development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Green Economy: There is no agreed upon definition of Green Economy. According to UNEP, a Green Economy is one that improves human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. For the OECD, Green Growth is a framework for countries to achieve economic growth and development while preventing costly environmental degradation, climate change and inefficient use of natural resources. Many civil society organisations reject the term and refer for example to "Sustainable and Equitable Economic Activity" that has a stronger emphasis on justice, equity and responsibility. Global North/South: These are not geographic terms, but are rather used to describe the global political and socioeconomic power structures between and within countries that are marked by the unequal distribution of power. In this paper the terms Global North and Global South are used to highlight the role of power, rather than the contested concept of development inherent in the terms developing/developed countries. Developed/developing: The categories developing/developed, usually used in international negotiations or institutions, takes the level of industrialisation, technological infrastructures, standard of living, Human Development Index, levels of income and/or GDP levels into account. Often the terms low/high income or industrialised country are used synonymously. Either way, the terms lack clear definition, are politically charged and fail to account for the recent emerging economies like Brazil, India or China. Care Economy: In a broad sense, care work refers to the often unpaid work done caring for people, nature, animals and future generations. Care work is performed either unpaid within the household or remunerated in the market economy, or it is provided by the state or non-profit organisations. Additionally, it can also be understood to include care for the environment and future generations. Reproductive Economy: Recently there has been a shift from the term reproductive work to care work. The former term has its roots in Marxist analysis of the gendered division of labour focusing on the material and economic aspects of the non-market economy. Care work, on the other hand, emphasises the emotional dimension of such tasks and the importance of inter-personal relationships. Livelihood: A person's livelihood refers to their "means of securing the necessities of life". Livelihood is defined as a set of (economic) activities, involving subsistence work, self-employment, and/or wage employment to generate adequate resources for meeting the requirements of the self and household on a sustainable basis with dignity. A livelihood is sustainable when it can cope with and recover from stresses and shocks and maintain or enhance its capabilities and assets both now and in the future, without undermining the natural resource base. genanet is LIFE's focal point gender, environment, sustainability, which focuses on mainstreaming gender into environmental policy and critically engaging with and monitoring political processes on national, European and international levels. genanet's main focus is on gender in energy and climate change policy, nevertheless addressing other environmental fields too. Among others, genanet is conducting research, providing reports and studies, preparing position statements, facilitating networks to discuss strategies to implement gender mainstreaming or to further debates on various environmental issues from a gender perspective. Conny van Heemstra Sustainable Economy and Care Economy Concepts, linkages and questions Sustainable Economy and Green Growth: Who Cares? Sustainable Economy and Care Economy. Concepts, linkages and questions The Care Economy Care Work-which involves caring for people, nature or future generations-can be paid or unpaid, and occur in the household or the market, and be provided by the state or non-profit organisations. Care Work is inherently a social and relational process and is characterised by asymmetric relationships between the caregiver and receiver. Whether Care Work is paid or unpaid, it is generally unrecognised, undervalued, and thus, poorly paid. In the United States, Sustainable Economy and Green Growth: Who Cares? Sustainable Economy and Care Economy. Concepts, linkages and questions Sustainable Economy and Green Growth: Who Cares? Sustainable Economy and Care Economy. Concepts, linkages and questions 'global value chain', we may effectively 'chain' them to a system that is fundamentally flawed" (Tandon 2012b: 8), especially if the burden of unremunerated work is not evenly distributed between men and women.

Urban Studies, 2021

This paper discusses how intersecting identities, stigma and health-based infrastructures are spa... more This paper discusses how intersecting identities, stigma and health-based infrastructures are spatially affiliated and territorialised in the South East of England through the findings of three research projects aimed at understanding health inequalities among urban Black, Asian and Ethnic Minorities including Gypsies and Travellers (BAME and GT) groups. It problematises Wacquant’s approach to territorial stigma by explaining how Butler’s notion of vulnerability and Castoriadis’ notion of autonomous agency help to expand our understanding of the interplay between stigma and health infrastructures. Moreover, it suggests that such interplay requires an intersectional approach to identity as performative and embodied practice using illustrative examples. We propose that these health settings and infrastructures can be characterised as ‘transbordering assemblages’, following Irazábal who describes its embedded notions of pluri-locality (here and there: ‘[T]Here’), pluri-identity and pra...

Climate Change and Cities

Cities are characterized by a great diversity of socioeconomic groups living in close proximity. ... more Cities are characterized by a great diversity of socioeconomic groups living in close proximity. Diversity is often accompanied by stratification based on class, caste, gender, profession, race, ethnicity, age, and ability. This gives rise to social categories that, in turn, affect the ability of individuals and various groups to endure climate stresses and minimize climate risks. Differences between strata often lead to discrimination based on group membership. Poorer people and ethnic and racial minorities tend to live in more hazard-prone, vulnerable, and crowded parts of cities. These circumstances increase their susceptibility to the impacts of climate change and reduce their capacity to adapt to and withstand extreme events. Key Messages Urban climate policies should include equity and environmental justice as primary long-term goals. Equity fosters human well-being, social capital, and sustainable social and economic urban development, all of which increase a city's capacity to respond to climate change. Access to land situated in nonvulnerable locations, security of tenure, and access to basic services and risk-reducing infrastructure are particularly important. Cities need to promote and share a science-informed policy-making process that integrates multiple stakeholder interests to avoid inflexible, top-down solutions. This can be accomplished by participatory processes that incorporate community members' views about resilience objectives and feasibility. Over time, climate change policies and programs need to be evaluated and adjusted to ensure that resilience and equity goals are reached. Periodic monitoring and evaluation using fair indicators and progress measurements, budgetary transparency, and equitable resource allocation schemes are essential to ensure that funds reach target groups and result in equitable resilience outcomes.

Environment and Urbanization, 2017

Climate change is acknowledged as the largest threat to our societies in the coming decades, pote... more Climate change is acknowledged as the largest threat to our societies in the coming decades, potentially affecting large and diverse groups of urban residents in this century of urbanization. As urban areas house highly diverse people with differing vulnerabilities, intensifying climate change is likely to shift the focus of discussions from a general urban perspective to who in cities will be affected by climate change, and how. This brings the urban equity question to the forefront. Here we assess how climate change events may amplify urban inequity. We find that heatwaves, but also flooding, landslides, and even mitigation and adaptation measures, affect specific population groups more than others. As underlying sensitivity factors we consistently identify socioeconomic status and gender. We synthesize the findings with regard to equity types – meaning outcome-based, process-oriented and context-related equity – and suggest solutions for avoiding increased equity and justice conc...

Revista INVI, 2009

This article talks about the Fondecyt Research Project No. 1061179 fi nal stage results (2008) na... more This article talks about the Fondecyt Research Project No. 1061179 fi nal stage results (2008) named "Senior Citizens Quality Life in Urban Habitat: Valparaiso Case Study." The investigation addresses the problem of senior citizens quality life in the city, particularly Valparaiso. This city is a special interest case study as it has the highest ageing indexes of the three largest Chilean cities. It also depicts a urban cultural and patrimonial character and a steep topography that shelters a socially heterogeneous population. This age group quality life indexes in Valparaiso portrays the quantitative and quality research results. The analysis carried out shows signifi cant differences between the variables that affects this group quality life, related where they live in

Latin American Perspectives, 2013

The violence and de/reterritorializing strategies used by armed groups in Colombia disproportiona... more The violence and de/reterritorializing strategies used by armed groups in Colombia disproportionally affect indigenous peoples, especially indigenous women, whose ethno-gender roles, forms of territoriality, agency, and autonomy are being altered. Conflict and new forms of territoriality restrict the satisfaction of ethno-gender-based material needs and interests, with negative impacts on women’s own and their families’ lives. At the same time, they offer some women new roles, agency, and autonomy and empowerment through individual and collective action. Policy makers should strive to open up these windows of opportunity for indigenous women while protecting them from the depredations of war. La violencia y las estrategias de des/reterritorialización utilizadas por grupos armados en Colombia afectan desproporcionadamente a los indígenas, especialmente a las mujeres indígenas, cuyos roles etno-géneros, formas de territorialidad, agencia, y autonomía están siendo alterados. El conflic...

Journal of Aging Studies, 2010

We would like to recognize and extend a special thank-you to those who made this project possible... more We would like to recognize and extend a special thank-you to those who made this project possible. Our projects and learning experiences have benefited immensely from the support, time, and enthusiasm that you have kindly shared with us. We hope this report reflects the importance and our gratitude for your contributions.

AbStrACt Climate change is acknowledged as the largest threat to our societies in the coming deca... more AbStrACt Climate change is acknowledged as the largest threat to our societies in the coming decades, potentially affecting large and diverse groups of urban residents in this century of urbanization. As urban areas house highly diverse people with differing vulnerabilities, intensifying climate change is likely to shift the focus of discussions from a general urban perspective to who in cities will be affected by climate change, and how. This brings the urban equity question to the forefront. Here we assess how climate change events may amplify urban inequity. We find that heatwaves, but also flooding, landslides, and even mitigation and adaptation measures, affect specific population groups more than others. As underlying sensitivity factors we consistently identify socioeconomic status and gender. We synthesize the findings with regard to equity types – meaning outcome-based, process-oriented and context-related equity – and suggest solutions for avoiding increased equity and justice concerns as a result of climate change impacts, adaptation and mitigation.

This paper is framed within the context of the Fondecyt Research Project (No. 1061179) entitled "... more This paper is framed within the context of the Fondecyt Research Project (No. 1061179) entitled "Senior Citizens' quality of life in an Urban Habitat: Valparaiso, a Case Study." It investigates how certain topographical conditions in the urban habitat impact on the quality of life of the population's most senior age group. Following a theoretical approach, we discuss some of the initial results obtained in our field research, integrating a quantitative technique of territorial analysis, GIS maps, and the qualitative techniques of Focus Groups and ethnographic interviews. The study of senior citizens' perceptions of their quality of life in Valparaiso indicates that the city's irregular topography and character as a heritage city mediate how the elderly perceive the urban space, creating social networks and a sense of community uniquely their own.

Journal of Aging Studies, 2010

This paper is framed within the context of the Fondecyt Research Project (No. 1061179) entitled “... more This paper is framed within the context of the Fondecyt Research Project (No. 1061179) entitled “Senior Citizens' quality of life in an Urban Habitat: Valparaiso, a Case Study.” It investigates how certain topographical conditions in the urban habitat impact on the quality of life of the population's most senior age group. Following a theoretical approach, we discuss some of the initial results obtained in our field research, integrating a quantitative technique of territorial analysis, GIS maps, and the qualitative techniques of Focus Groups and ethnographic interviews. The study of senior citizens' perceptions of their quality of life in Valparaiso indicates that the city's irregular topography and character as a heritage city mediate how the elderly perceive the urban space, creating social networks and a sense of community uniquely their own.

Expert reviewer - Chapter V on Climate on Change and Cities: " Into the Cities: developing and su... more Expert reviewer - Chapter V on Climate on Change and Cities: " Into the Cities: developing and supporting resilient, sustainable and gender responsive urban-environments"

This book examines Cornelius Castoriadis’ thought and the radical alternative it presents to the ... more This book examines Cornelius Castoriadis’ thought and the radical alternative it
presents to the legacy of Michel Foucault, focusing on three key notions that are
central in both scholars’ theories: the subject, the production of social meaning
and representation, and social/cultural change.
Castoriadis and Foucault faced similar theoretical and political challenges and
tackled common questions, yet their conclusions diverged significantly. This
important book establishes, for the first time, a critical dialogue between these
two bodies of thought. Through a detailed exploration of the Castoridian
perspective, Marcela Tovar-Restrepo addresses the limitations of Foucault’s
poststructuralist thought; exploring and comparing what those three central
notions mean in each framework. In so doing, Tovar-Restrepo elucidates a
greater understanding of their differences and the resulting consequences for the
social sciences and the role of social theory. Ultimately, this book presents
Castoriadis’ philosophical and theoretical position as an alternative to unresolved
poststructuralist problems and to what Castoriadis saw as a deterministic
ontology embedded in political relativism; paving the way for an invigorating
debate about autonomy and social change.

The ARC3.2 Report presents downscaled Climate Projections for approximately 100 cities and catalo... more The ARC3.2 Report presents downscaled Climate Projections for approximately 100 cities and catalogues urban disasters and risks, along with the effects on human health in cities. ARC3.2 gives concrete solutions for cities in regard to mitigation and adaptation; urban planning and design; equity and environmental justice; economics, finance, and the private sector; urban sectors such as energy, water, transportation, housing and informal settlements, and solid waste management; and governing carbon and climate in cities. Other key topics include ecosystems and biodiversity, and urban coastal zones.

The full ARC3.2 report is set to be released at Habitat III in Quito, Ecuador (October 2016).

Download ARC3.2 Summary for City Leaders

Hi-res version: ARC3.2 Summary for City Leaders

Lo-res version: ARC3.2 Summary for City Leaders

Final Report International Studio DR