Caminando por el barrio: comprendiendo las experiencias de las personas mayores en un Santiago adverso, en tiempos de pandemia
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Date
2022
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Abstract
Este artículo tiene como objetivo indagar en las condiciones que las personas mayores enfrentan al caminar por los barrios en los que residen. Se busca identificar las formas en las que las características socioespaciales de los barrios, el entorno construido y la pandemia de COVID-19 afectan sus caminatas. Para lograr tales objetivos, el trabajo reporta los resultados de un grupo de entrevistas y grupos focales en los que se invitó a personas mayores residentes de cuatro barrios localizados en la Comuna de Santiago de Chile a conversar sobre sus caminatas y los obstáculos que enfrentan cuando se mueven a pie. Los resultados muestran que las personas mayores comprenden la caminata como una actividad altamente beneficiosa que les permite mantenerse activos, conectados y visibles. Evidencian que los procesos de cambio que han afectado a sus barrios han cambiado el paisaje y la arquitectura social de sus vecindarios, incrementando el miedo hacia el espacio público y la sensación de soledad. El análisis de los datos también mostró que las personas enfrentan diversos obstáculos mientras caminan, incluyendo veredas deterioradas, cruces hostiles y paisajes poco placenteros. Aquellos obstáculos se vieron multiplicados por la llegada del nuevo coronavirus, lo que sumó restricciones y preocupaciones que dificultan aún más la caminata. Los datos recogidos revelan la importancia que tiene la caminata para las personas mayores, por lo cual es fundamental la creación de barrios caminables y del fomento de esta actividad en las políticas públicas como una práctica de autocuidado.
This article aims at investigating the conditions older people face when walking through their neighborhoods. It seeks to identify the ways in which the built environment, the socio-spatial features of the neighborhoods, and the COVID-19 pandemic affect their walks. To that end, the article reports the findings of a set of interviews and focus groups where older people who reside in four neighborhoods located in the Commune of Santiago, Chile, were invited to talk about their walks and the obstacles they face when taking them. The findings show that older people consider walking a highly beneficial activity whereby they remain active, connected, and visible. They state that the processes of change that have affected their neighborhoods have transformed their landscape and social architecture, increasing fear of the public space and the feeling of loneliness. The analysis of the data also showed that older people face many obstacles when walking, including sidewalks in disrepair, hostile pedestrian crossings, and unpleasant landscapes. Those obstacles were multiplied by the arrival of the new coronavirus, which added restrictions and concerns that make walking even more difficult. The data gathered emphasizes the relevance of walking for older people, making the creation of walkable neighborhoods and their promotion in the public policies as a practice of self-care, crucial.
This article aims at investigating the conditions older people face when walking through their neighborhoods. It seeks to identify the ways in which the built environment, the socio-spatial features of the neighborhoods, and the COVID-19 pandemic affect their walks. To that end, the article reports the findings of a set of interviews and focus groups where older people who reside in four neighborhoods located in the Commune of Santiago, Chile, were invited to talk about their walks and the obstacles they face when taking them. The findings show that older people consider walking a highly beneficial activity whereby they remain active, connected, and visible. They state that the processes of change that have affected their neighborhoods have transformed their landscape and social architecture, increasing fear of the public space and the feeling of loneliness. The analysis of the data also showed that older people face many obstacles when walking, including sidewalks in disrepair, hostile pedestrian crossings, and unpleasant landscapes. Those obstacles were multiplied by the arrival of the new coronavirus, which added restrictions and concerns that make walking even more difficult. The data gathered emphasizes the relevance of walking for older people, making the creation of walkable neighborhoods and their promotion in the public policies as a practice of self-care, crucial.
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Keywords
Personas mayores, Caminata, Entorno construido, Barrios, Santiago de Chile, Older persons, Walking, Built environment, Neighborhoods, Santiago de Chile