Do demographic and land-use changes contrast urban and suburban dynamics? A sophisticated reflection on Santiago de Chile

This study aims to give a differentiated picture of urban and suburban development regarding demographic and land-use change as major drivers for urban growth. A set of indicators has been selected to analyze and evaluate the dynamics of these drivers and their implications for environmental conditions and the quality of life. The study is exemplified by the Metropolitan Area of Santiago de Chile (MAS). This metropolis is undergoing rapid urban dynamics, like many other Latin American cities, but shows some idiosyncratic features. The results show demographic growth in suburbia, very densely built-up areas in the urban municipalities with the only growth potential in the suburban landscape, as well as environmental implications of flood-hazard zones and public green spaces relevant for both urban and suburban areas. Furthermore, the indicators assessed show that not all suburban areas underlie the same conditions, nor are they similarly developed.

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► Demographic and land-use changes are major drivers which expedite suburbanization processes.
► Conjoint analyses of environmental indicators give a better picture of the urban setting.
► Compaction of metropolitan areas alone does not solve environmental problems.
► Urban and suburban development have challenges in common.
► Santiago de Chile's dense suburban development is idiosyncratic in Latin America.