Socio-spatial Transformation and Contested Space at the Street Level in Latin America

214 Pages·2017·3.77 MB·English

Portland State University
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Dissertations and Theses Dissertations and Theses
Summer 8-25-2014
Socio-spatial Transformation and Contested Space at the Street
Level in Latin America: The Case of Cali, Colombia
Maria Janeth Mosquera Becerra
Portland State University
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Socio-spatial Transformation and Contested Space at the Street Level in Latin America:
The Case of Cali, Colombia

by

Maria Janeth Mosquera Becerra

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the degree of

Doctor of Philosophy
in
Sociology

Dissertation Committee:
Veronica Dujon, Chair
Amy Lubitow
Margaret Everett
Matthew Carlson
Carlos Crespo
Leopoldo Rodríguez

Portland State University
2014
© 2014 Maria Janeth Mosquera Becerra
i

Abstract

Since 2008, more than 50% of the world’s population has lived in cities and it is
projected that by 2050 around 87% will do so. Designing infrastructure in urban spaces
has become increasingly critical for achieving human well-being. This dissertation
examines socio-spatial transformation processes related to urbanization, economic
development and the marginalization of utilitarian cycling in Cali, Colombia, as a
particular expression of the struggle for transportation space occurring in urban areas.
The research analyzes (a) the socio-spatial processes that have restricted the use of
bicycles as a means of transportation in the city of Cali, Colombia; and (b) the social,
health and economic implications for people who use bicycles as their primary means of
transportation in this city.
Cali is a major city in Latin America and an excellent case to study the complex
dynamic of how social and economic forces are evident in resource distribution at the
street level. Informed by Harvey’s work (1976; 1978; 2012), combined with an
environmental justice perspective (Bullard 2007), this research adopts a conceptual
framework that examines the transformation of the built environment as part of capitalist
led urbanization. It concludes that the implementation of transportation infrastructure was
aimed at enabling productivity and profits, with less emphasis on the comprehensive
needs of all citizens, ultimately marginalizing transportation options for those of lower
socio-economic status. The experience in Cali can be understood as a case of
consolidation of inequality at the street level.
ii

A historical review of Cali’s urbanization process demonstrates that cycling as a
mode of transportation has been losing social and physical space. Analysis of the political
economy of more recent economic development initiatives suggest that the City, in
responding to the demands of globalization, and in conjunction with international
financial agencies and national government support has implemented a Bus Rapid Transit
system and a set of megaprojects which marginalize bike commuters, particularly those
who bike out of economic necessity. Although bike commuters recognize economic and
health and time-saving benefits of biking to themselves as individuals they also
experience daily travel in Cali as a classed, problematic, stigmatized, and transitory
activity. From an environmental justice perspective, the resulting impact on residents,
particularly, those of lower socioeconomic stratum, unmasks the uneven distribution of
environmental benefits and harms. The marginalization of biking as a means of
transportation in urban areas in Latin America may be understood as a social injustice
similar to the deprivation of parks, schools, health services, or housing endured by
residents of lower socioeconomic status.
iii

Dedication

To my mom (Doña María) and Víctor Hugo.
This dissertation is dedicated to the memory of my father (Don Luís Carlos) and
Harmony, my dear friend.
iv

Acknowledgments
Thanks to my adviser Veronica Dujon. She knows very well what it means to be a
professor.
I would like to thank the members of my committee for their contributions to my
dissertation.
I am grateful for my dear and incredible friends in the U.S., Colombia and in many cities
around the world. All of you are in my heart.
I would like to thank my lovely family. Wherever I am, my family will always be with
me.
v

Table of Contents
Abstract ................................................................................................................................i
Dedication...........................................................................................................................iii
Acknowledgements.............................................................................................................iv
List of Tables.....................................................................................................................vii
List of Figures ..................................................................................................................viii

Chapter 1: Introduction........................................................................................................1
1.2 Significance of this Dissertation...............................................................................….8
1.3 Structure of the Dissertation........................................................................................11

Chapter 2: Review of Literature .......................................................................................13
Introduction........................................................................................................................13
2.2 Utilitarian Bicycling in Urban Areas...........................................................................15
2.3 Theoretical Approaches in Transportation Equity.......................................................26

Chapter 3: Theoretical Approach.......................................................................................37
Introduction........................................................................................................................37
3.1 Capitalism, Urbanization, and the Built Environment.................................................40
3.2 Environmental Justice Approach..…………………………………………………...46

Chapter 4:
Methodology………..........................................................................................................48
Introduction........................................................................................................................48
4.1 Data Collection and Analysis.......................................................................................51
4.2 Research Setting...........................................................................................................60

Chapter 5:
Findings ............................................................................................................................62
Introduction….………………………………………………………………….………..62
5.1. A Chronological Overview of Cali’s Urbanization Process……….…….………….63
5.1.1 The First Period: Takeoff as an Industrial City (1945 - 1958)….…….…………64
5.1.2 Second Period: Revitalizing the City thought the Pan-American Games
(1960-1970)….……………………………………………………..…………….77
5.1.3 Third Period Transforming to be Competitive (1990-2013)….……..…………...85

5.2. Current Social and Economic Forces and Processes Limiting Travel by Bike in Cali
Introduction........................................................................................................................99
5.2.1 The World Bank Role onTransportation..............................................................101
5.2.2 The Strengthening of the Car Industry ................................................................112
5.2.3 The Implementation of the Bus Rapid Transit System in Cali............................118
5.2.4 Views on Biking in Cali ......................................................................................125
vi

5.2.5 Urban Transportation Planning Sector.................................................................127
5.2.6 No Counter-hegemonic Processes...................................................................... 134

5.3. Biking as a Mode of Travel in Cali.......................................................................... 138
5.3.1 Socioeconomic Conditions of Bikers......................................................................138
5.3.2 Cyclists Experiencing Travel by Bike in Cali.........................................................150
5.2.2.1 Class Conflicts at the Street Level.......................................................................152
5.3.2.2 Bus Rapid Transit and Impacts on Biking...........................................................158
5.3.2.3 Negative Social and Physical Urban Conditions for Biking................................163
5.3.2.4 Benefits of Biking................................................................................................167
5.3.2.5 Switching Social Status........................................................................................171

Conclusion and Discussion..............................................................................................178
References........................................................................................................................188
Appendices
A. Forum and journal................................................................................................197
B. Interview guides (Three groups)………..............................................................200
C. Interview guide (cyclists) ……............................................................................203
vii

List of Tables
Table 1- Data reduction steps……………………………………………………………58
Table 2 - Constructing the network……………………………………………………..59
Table 3 - Information on interviewed participants…………………………………..…101
Table 4 - Socio- demographic characteristics of population included in the study……140
Table 5 - Modes of transportation among population included in the study…………..142
Table 6 - Participants from the study who reported biking in the last 7 days……….....143
Table 7 - Time in minutes riding a bike as means of transportation in the last 7 days...144
Table 8 - Socio-environmental perceptions among bikers versus non-bikers………....144
Table 9 - Socio-environmental perceptions among bikers…………….….…………...145
Table 10 - Biking use as a means of transportation in Cali……………..………..……148
Table 11 - Contextual information from interviewed participants………..…………...150
Table 12 - Information on interviewed participants………………………..………….151