Espacio y sociedad: De la ciudad trizada a la ciudad quebrada

Abstract

The negative impact of globalization in cities has been a matter of diverse study in the last decade. Empirical evidence of urban inequality exists as that which aggravates the breach between the "winners" and the "losers", taking place in what some authors call "dual" or "polarized" cities in the "north" as in the "south". Nevertheless, many questions arise for those interested in cities. For example: Are neutral or impotent governments behind these tendencies? Or are architects, planners and others responsible for Urban design? What one considers here is that tendencies of globalization are not the only factors behind the social and spatial inequality of a city. It is estimated that particular historical-partner Processes, the dominant Culture and the role of the state, its public policies and Professionals also play a very important role. With More questions than answers, this essay aspires to share some reflections and impressions, along with synthesized results of an investigation made between 2000 and 2004.