Caught between Spaces, a Lund University doctoral dissertation, seeks to understand the vulnerability and wellbeing of low-income peri-urban populations in the two Colombian cities of Soacha and Bogotá. Several chapters are devoted to explaining why peri-urban areas deserve to be analysed in their own right. While recognizing the definitional complexity of the term “peri-urban area”, Valencia generally understands this to be a rural–urban zone undergoing socio-environmental transition.

The dissertation identifies major differences across four peri-urban settlement types: agriculture-based, informal, formal, and state-subsidized housing. These variations are related to an interplay of factors including colonial history, livelihood statuses, social cohesion, and levels of formality.

From her observations and analyses Valencia derives a typology of settlements according to their legal and housing features. She refers to these as “territorial configurations”, which are especially in flux in peri-urban areas. Thus this dissertation aims to contribute to theoretical as well as practical understandings of peri-urban spaces, which are heterogeneous and dynamic.

Valencia treats informality as a strategy adopted by low-income residents in the absence of viable alternatives, which is reshaping inter-city relations. As she writes,

“informal peri-urbanization is occurring beyond the administrative limits of Bogotá. Therefore, neighboring municipalities such as Soacha are confronted with addressing informality and providing basic utilities, but without the necessary administrative, technical, and financial capacity in place. Discussions about forming a metropolitan region between Bogotá and Soacha are underway.” (202)

Valencia questions the sufficiency of both governmental and non-governmental responses to peri-urban precariousness. For instance, subsidized housing in Soacha and Bogotá has not been accompanied by decent service provision, infrastructure improvements, or good environmental conditions.

Ultimately, the dissertation argues,

“without major changes towards recognizing the rights of peri-urban dwellers and the way resources, such as water and land, are managed, peri-urban dwellers will continue to be exposed to socio-environmental stressors ranging from flooding, landslides, insecurity and deficient access to utilities.” (270)

Caught Between Spaces is one attempt to generate this much-needed attention.

Available from:

http://lucsus.lu.se.webbhotell.ldc.lu.se/index.php/sandra-valencias-phd-... [1]

Further reading:

Allen, Adriana (2003), “Environmental planning and management of the peri-urban interface: perspectives on an emerging field”, Environment and Urbanization Vol 15, No 1, pages 135–147, available at http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/095624780301500103 [2].

Environment and Urbanization (1998), “Beyond the urban-rural divide”, Vol 10, No 1, available at http://journals.sagepub.com/toc/eaua/10/1 [3].

Forero, Henry and Manuel Salazar (1991), “Local Government and Decentralization in Colombia”, Environment and Urbanization Vol 3, No 2, pages 121–126, available at http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/095624789100300216 [4].

Book note prepared by Christine Ro