Planning and urban growth in the city of San Carlos de Bariloche (2001-2019)

Abstract

In recent decades, the role of local governments has been reformulated: greater responsibilities and fewer resources determined the intensification of inter-urban competition for attracting investment. This gap is more noticeable in cities of the global south. Intermediate cities, especially those with a tourist profile, saw limited but relevant portions of their territory incorporated into global investment flows in activities related to real estate development, tourism and services. In this framework, the tensions inherent in the urban planning process deepen and the limitations of local governments to effectively regulate urban and housing dynamics become evident. The objective of this work is to analyze the planning policy in San Carlos de Bariloche vis-à-vis urban growth in the post-crisis period of 2001. The methodology used is qualitative, based on documentary analysis and statistics. It is concluded that in the study period an urban planning policy by sectors and exceptions was in force, which tended to deepen the fragmentation of the territory. The work makes a contribution to the understanding of the role of local governments in intermediate cities with a tourist profile in the regulation of urban growth.