SOCIAL APPROPRIATION OF PUBLIC SPACE AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF URBAN IDENTITY IN LATIN AMERICA: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW (2020–2025); [APROPRIAÇÃO SOCIAL DO ESPAÇO PÚBLICO E CONSTRUÇÃO DA IDENTIDADE URBANA NA AMÉRICA LATINA: UMA REVISÃO SISTEMÁTICA (2020–2025)]

Herrera-Solís M.; Alosilla Cabrejos E.M.A.; Castañeda Cordero S.G.; Bedoya-Chanove J.D.C.; Rossi Esteban G.P. · Interciencia (2026)

Resumen

This study analyzed the scientific evidence published between 2020 and 2025 on the social appropriation of public space and its relationship to the construction of urban identity in Latin America through a systematic review conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The literature search was carried out in five databases (Scopus, SciELO, Redalyc, Dial-net, and Google Scholar). Of the 2,761 records identified, 30 studies met the inclusion criteria and were synthesized through a structured narrative analysis organized into three analytical dimensions: social, symbolic-cultural, and spatial. The findings indicate that the social appropriation of public space is shaped by community practices, everyday interactions, and symbol-ic-cultural processes that strengthen the sense of belonging and urban identity. However, factors such as socio-spatial in-equality, informality, and limitations in urban governance influence patterns of appropriation across different Latin American contexts. It is concluded that the social appropriation of public space is a fundamental process in the construction of urban identity and the strengthening of social cohesion, under-scoring the need to promote participatory and inclusive urban policies. The main limitations of this study are the methodological heterogeneity of the studies analyzed and the geographic concentration of scientific production in Mexico, Colombia, Chile, and Brazil.

Instituciones: Universidad Privada de Tacna