Acción del estado y acción comunitaria en la gestión de la vivienda post erupción del Volcán Chaitén, Chile: dos estrategias divergentes

Abstract

The eruption of Chaiten in 2008 triggered the forced relocation of more than 4000 families to different cities in Chiloe Island and Continental Chile. As of 2015, about 40 per cent of mobilized people have returned to the affected city, which was declared as unsuitable for habitation due to its proneness to natural hazards.

Through the analysis of different State policies and actions, procedures, field analysis, secondary sources and interviews with affected people, this paper concludes that the understanding and dimension of the damage and strategies implemented in relation to housing within the context of this socio-natural disaster are biased, limited and negative. In this sense, risk management has been particularly affected during the reconstruction and resettlement processes since the interests and expectations of locals have not been satisfied.

As for the State strategies intended to address housing management during the Chaiten disaster: Were they adequate? Did they meet the aspirations and expectations of those involved?

This ongoing and unfinished process is suffering from conceptual limitations in terms of understanding, design and management, the result being a serious impact on the quality of life of those affected. Apart from its value as a physical asset, housing was not considered in terms of its intrinsic value.