Urban public policies for Disaster Risk Reduction in marginal contexts. The case of Bajo Luján, Mendoza, Argentina

Abstract

Urban marginality, understood not only as a pattern of settlement in the territory, but as a social and economic condition characterized by poverty, precariousness and social exclusion; It leads to the existence of risk conditions that manifest themselves not only in marginal areas, but also influence vast urban contexts in Argentina and Latin America. The article explores in the first place, the risk factors existing in the marginal urbanization called "Bajo de Luján". Secondly, the foundations and proposals for radical change in this area are analyzed, in the context of the Ribera Luján Plan, promoted by the Municipality of Luján de Cuyo and the Government of the Province of Mendoza. Finally, it reflects on the scientific, regulatory, institutional, financial and community aspects that have allowed to reconvert -through public policies- pre-existing risk conditions in an urban renewal opportunity with metropolitan influence in Greater Mendoza.