The Social Divide of Urban Land-Use Regulatory Changes: Evidence from Chile

38 Pages Posted: 28 Jan 2023

See all articles by Kenzo Asahi

Kenzo Asahi

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Diego Gil

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile - School of Government

Andrea Herrera

Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile

Javier Peñafiel

Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile

Hugo E. Silva

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Date Written: January 27, 2023

Abstract

Urban land-use regulations define how cities physically grow, but also have a significant impact on social and economic relationships within urban areas. Studies have shown that homeowners often influence these regulations to prevent densification in well-located neighborhoods in big cities, contributing to the affordability housing crisis. Our analysis of a unique database of lots in Santiago, Chile, comprising an urban area of approximately 151 square kilometers, found that the share of high-income residents is strongly associated with maintaining a regulatory status quo, preventing denser housing projects from being built. This association is particularly strong in areas primarily composed of single-family housing, and is not affected by access to transportation networks or the size of the area involved in zoning changes. Our findings suggest that socioeconomic status plays a key role in urban politics in unequal and segregated cities.

Suggested Citation

Asahi, Kenzo and Gil Mc Cawley, Diego and Herrera, Andrea and Peñafiel, Javier and Silva, Hugo, The Social Divide of Urban Land-Use Regulatory Changes: Evidence from Chile (January 27, 2023). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4339689 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4339689

Kenzo Asahi

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile ( email )

Avda. Vicuña Mackenna 4860
Macul, 780436
Chile

Diego Gil Mc Cawley

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile - School of Government ( email )

Avda. Vicuña Mackenna 4860
Edificio MIDE UC, piso 3 - Macul
Santiago
Chile

Andrea Herrera

Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile

Javier Peñafiel

Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile

Hugo Silva (Contact Author)

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile ( email )

Avda. Vicuña Mackenna 4860
Macul, 780436
Chile

HOME PAGE: http://https://sites.google.com/site/hugosilvam/

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