ABSTRACT
Historically, Latin American cities have developed patterns of growth strongly shaped by socio-economic segregation. This chapter describes the emergence of new spaces of coexistence and conflict in Santiago, amid current trends of intensive redevelopment. It explores how class-related power relations emerge and are reproduced, often ending in the radical transformation of neighbourhoods and, ultimately, generating displacement as a frequent outcome of this spatial conflict. The chapter asserts that conflict resolution and coexistence is also possible, as some traditional local communities struggle to avoid their displacement from their inner city locations. It discusses that the emergence of spaces of class-related conflict can be understood as opportunities for the encounter of clearly differentiated positions, as groups that usually don't see each other in segregated cities as Santiago can find the space for expanding democratic exchanges, via collective organization and struggle deployed by the less powerful actors of the city.
