Recovering Civic Design as a Reconstruction of Local in Middle-Sized Cities: The Case of Talca, Chile

Abstract

This article discusses the social-spatial shifts in middle-sized Latin American cities as a result of global phenomena -gentrification and segregation- and how these issues are impacting both urban centers and the formal-perceptual traits that used to represent quality of living. The concept of civic design is used as a framework for action. The term was coined by early 20th century Anglo-Saxon urbanism, including public art and architecture. Empirically, the case of Talca is analyzed as a middle-sized city extremely relevant for Chilean regional urban development. The city has also been subject to the recent post-earthquake 2010 reconstruction process. As a result, the article reveals the importance of quarter scales and social cohesion, suggesting types of regulatory actions to be implemented for the recovery of the middle-sized city with civic attitude and connected to larger urban systems.