Chile is a country with a wide diversity of landscapes. Its northern region, marked by the Atacama Desert, the driest in the world, contrasts sharply with the central Mediterranean climate and sclerophyllous forest. Moving south, the landscape transitions from evergreen forests to the Patagonian steppe, characterized by a tundra climate. This diversity is also reflected in its people, who have various ways of perceiving and interacting with their environment. In this context, public investment in infrastructure development faces the challenge of responding to this diversity in its design. The goal is for communities to take ownership of these projects, leveraging the benefits they generate and feeling a sense of ownership to contribute to sustainability during operation. This proposal highlights two projects and their respective management models. The first is “Koyaüwe,” a community gathering space developed in collaboration with the Mapuche indigenous people in Loncoche town, aimed at fostering traditional and social activities. The second project involves the restoration and enhancement of the historic monument “Paso San Carlos” in Cochrane town. Both experiences showcase unique characteristics that underscore the importance of considering the cultural relevance of interventions.
Diego Vásquez is a Civil Industrial Engineer and holds a Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV). He is a professor of the School of Biochemical Engineering, assistant professor of the Program of Formulation and Social Evaluation of Projects and professor of graduate programs at the same university. He has worked on several studies related to the formulation and social evaluation of investment initiatives in the context of the Chilean National Investment System, public investment planning and analysis of public-private initiatives
Lorena Herrera is a Civil Industrial Engineer from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV), MSc and PhD in Transport Economics, both postgraduate degrees from the University of Leeds, England. She is a professor at the School of Architecture and Design of the PUCV and Director of the Program of Formulation and Social Evaluation of Projects at the university, a program that trains professionals from the public sector in Social Evaluation of Projects, among others. She also consults in the areas of public policy and investment, social evaluation and sustainable transport