The territorial configuration of the southern peri-urban area of ​the city of Santiago del Estero

Abstract

The city called Santiago del Estero is the most important urban, political, administrative, financial, and service provider center of the province. It underwent processes of transformation and expansion that affected its surroundings, generating a dynamic peri-urban
area. The main objective of this work is to characterize the southern peri-urban area of ​the city of Santiago del Estero, which presents itself with the diverse territorial transformations. The urban and rural geography, and the sociology contributed to the subject of this work. The locational-quantitative perspectives, perception, behavior and criticism allowed the development of a varied exploratory and descriptive methodology, with office and field work. The survey and preparation of a database, analysis and interpretation of statistical
information, satellite images, application of surveys, interviews, preparation of thematic maps, allowed the systematization and analysis of the information that led to differentiating areas, distinguishing the perception of inhabitants, and identify tensions. The lots, private neighborhoods, sports facilities, farms, residences of new inhabitants, cemeteries, among others, show the changes in land uses. There is also continued existence of rural homes, farms with crops and livestock, fallow or with natural vegetation. The expansive advance of the city has a greater presence in the immediate surroundings and following the circulation axes and local roads, determining a particular morphology. In this process, rural towns such as El Zanjón, Santa María, Vuelta de la Barranca are incorporated into the rhythms of the city. Inhabitants of this area see these changes as positive, social actors consider them appropriate and challenge them in various aspects. It is also presented as a space of tensions in socio-environmental issues. The objective and subjective is a contribution to the diagnosis and a tool for territorial planning.