Considerations for an urban health perspective in Chile from the “Quiero Mi Barrio” program

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES To explore the perceptions of residents regarding their health and well-being in areas of personal and collective life, in relation to the experience of urban transformation originated by the Program for the Recovery of Neighborhoods in Chile “Quiero mi Barrio” (PQMB). METHODS Qualitative study conducted in eight neighborhoods, which were subject to interventions between 2012–2015, located in seven communes of Chile: Arica, Renca, Padre Las Casas, Villarrica, Castro, Ancud. Eighteen focus groups and 27 interviews were conducted between 2018 and 2019. A content analysis was carried out following the social determinants of health approach. RESULTS Material conditions of neighborhood infrastructure and psychosocial determinants were the main emerging and predominant categories in the residents’ narratives. The new or improved infrastructure enhances sports and playing practices, as well as contributes to the feeling of safety and to the improvement of walkable spaces, support networks, socialization and dynamization of social organization. However, neglected aspects were visualized. The program had limitations of structural character that operate locally, such as aging, individual lifestyles that limit participation, and contexts of insecurity, especially in neighborhoods victims of drug trafficking. CONCLUSIONS The urban changes originated by the PQMB included improvements in neighborhood infrastructure and in the psychosocial environment, which are perceived by residents as beneficial aspects and promoters of collective wellbeing. However, global phenomena, and those related to the program, limit its scope and have repercussions on the perception of overall wellbeing of the residents in the neighborhoods. To go deeper into how this or other state neighborhood programs may or may not favor equitable access of different social groups, or which works may be better used by the groups, is an aspect that enhances the integral action with other sectors and local actors in the territories.

摘要
研究目的：探讨居民在个人与集体生活领域中对自身健康与福祉的认知，并关联智利"我爱我的街区"社区复兴计划（Program for the Recovery of Neighborhoods in Chile "Quiero mi Barrio", PQMB）所催生的城市转型体验。
研究方法：本研究为质性研究，选取智利7个市镇下辖的8个街区作为研究对象，上述街区于2012至2015年间实施了改造干预。研究于2018至2019年间开展，共完成18场焦点小组访谈（focus groups）与27次个体访谈，并采用基于健康社会决定因素（social determinants of health）理论的内容分析法进行数据分析。
研究结果：居民叙事中涌现的核心与主导范畴为社区基础设施物质条件与社会心理决定因素。新建或升级后的基础设施不仅助力体育活动与休闲游戏的开展，还提升了居民的安全感，优化了步行友好空间、社会支持网络、社交互动以及社会组织活力。但研究同时发现了被忽视的问题：该计划存在地方性结构性局限，例如基础设施老化、限制公众参与的个体生活方式，以及尤其是受毒品贩运影响的街区所面临的不安全环境。
研究结论：PQMB引发的城市转型带来了社区基础设施与社会心理环境的改善，居民将其视为有益举措，并认为这些改善能够促进集体福祉。然而，全球层面的各类现象及计划本身存在的局限制约了其实施效果，并对居民的整体福祉感知产生影响。未来可进一步探索此类或其他国家社区振兴计划能否助力不同社会群体实现公平权益获取，或是哪些改造举措更受特定群体青睐，这一方向可推动与属地内其他部门及本地行动者开展协同整合行动。