URBAN IMAGINARIES AND ARCHITECTURE IN PUERTO VARAS1. THE CROSSROAD BETWEEN GLOBAL AND LOCAL

Abstract

Considering that what is imagined is always projected to reality and materializes in architectural works, the work provides a vision of the urban imaginaries of Puerto Varas locals. Based on a non-random sample of the society's representative sectors, 33 partially structured interviews were applied supported by city models and photographs. The outcomes reveal that different urban imaginaries coexist in the city: A "green and local" imaginary; a second imaginary which is "progressive and developmental" and finally, one that is basically "tourism-oriented". The mosaic of interests and representations that coexist in the city should be duly considered in urban development projects.