Between the perceived and conceived in the production of the Arica-Tacna cross-border space

Vargas M.C.C. · Si Somos Americanos (2022) · DOI: 10.4067/s0719-09482022000100059

Resumen

The continuity of exchanges between the cities of Arica and Tacna can be witnessed in the progression of border crossings recorded by the Chilean-Peruvian border control authorities. The recognition of a cross-border spatiality constructed around these practices was a premise for this study. As the main theoretical basis, the trio of the production of the Lefebvre space and its distinction between domain and appropriation to understand the case study was adopted, using a qualitative approach and content analysis. The article presents part of these results focused on the material dimension (perceived) and the dominant conceptions (conceived) with respect to the border condition of the aforementioned cities. The results showed that the inhabitants recognised the linkage between Arica and Tacna as being part of their daily lives, whether they were border crossers or not. Nevertheless, these practices were not extensively registered in terms of planning instruments. Regarding the dominant conceptions of the conditions prevalent in the border zone, it was revealed that the national scale prevails and, added to the limited competence at the sub-national level, tends to hinder greater recognition and incorporation of proximity as a potential aspect.

Instituciones: Universidad Privada de Tacna