Shaping Santiago: Neoliberalism and Infrastructure Development During the Chilean Dictatorship. The Case of Metro S.A
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Date
2025
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Publisher
Springer
Abstract
As a paradigm of neoliberal policy design and implementation, Chile is often regarded as a reference point for both supporters and detractors of the model. In the context of Chile's dictatorship—between 1973 and 1990—and of the extensive transformation of its political and economic structure, this chapter positions such changes as a process that had been under deliberation since the mid-twentieth century. A critical examination of the urban model during the Chilean dictatorship is carried out, with an emphasis on the milestones that led to radical changes in the mechanisms of management, administration, and design of urban spaces. For this purpose, while some components of urban development, such as housing, are considered, the text focuses on public infrastructure, particularly the Metro, as an iconic representation of Chilean neoliberal modernization. The Santiago Metro serves as a key symbol for understanding the continuities and changes in the city during Pinochet's regime, reflecting both the modernization policies initiated prior to the coup d'état and the economic and social transformations imposed by his government. The chapter draws upon valuable primary sources to enhance the understanding of the implementation of neoliberal policies in Chile such as documentation from the Ministry of Public Works and the General Directorate of Metro, obtained from the National Administration Archive, as well as information from the local press, presidential communications, and annual reports of Metro S.A.
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Keywords
Chilean dictatorship, Authoritarian city, Infrastructure, Santiago metro