Perception of the neighborhood or community |
Individual ways of life and neighborhood social life in decline |
“So, we get together a bit but others aren’t interested because there are a lot of professional people or who are becoming professional here and they get home from work and shut themselves in to watch TV, the soaps, their stuff and they don’t like to go out, and they say “no, I don’t want to go out, I’m tired” (President, Neighborhood Association, Barrio Bellavista). |
“That was being lost over time for different reasons (given by the interviewees): changes on the board that prioritize other activities; low participation by locals; fewer children; many irregularities in the neighborhood association; they get together just to gossip… and as a result locals don’t participate” (Mother of a preschooler, Barrio Bellavista). |
Low participation motivated only by individual (rather than collective) interests |
“When there are group activities, we invite people and they come; it’s difficult for locals to get to the neighborhood association, meetings, and events (QMB). At this point, in terms of organization, it’s difficult for them, 5, 7 but no more than that” (Leader, Neighborhood Association, Barrio Bellavista) |
“Improvements… yes they are there, people participate because they know what they’ll get, that they’re taking part because they’re going to get a benefit that’s going to be left behind for them regarding participation in “Quiero mi Barrio” (Leader NDB Barrio Lo Velásquez) |
Leadership fatigue, migration, and generational change |
“We were very close, ma’am, very close… yes but not now, I see that it’s difficult (to get organized to make demands such as improving sidewalks) because older people are not here (…) Young people are already dedicated to other things, to their work, to raising their children, to fixing their houses up, each doing their own thing” (Group of Older Adults, Barrio La isla) |
“Here most older adults can’t go out because they take care of their grandchildren and I think that’s a problem” (Older lady, Barrio Lo Velásquez) |
Feeling of insecurity due to crime |
“For all its lighting (the neighborhood) it’s not safe anywhere, for example, over there, behind Bulnes (…), there is a field that’s always… you can’t go there because it’s full of cars, drug dealers (…) so you can’t walk there” (President, Neighborhood Association, Barrio Ignacio Serrano) |
“The problem of drugs and its consequences (robberies, shootings, and feelings of insecurity) have caused locals to change their way of life and they are more “closed in” in their homes, without going out much and with no connections to their neighbors. The same houses have been closed in with walls and bars so people are more protected” (Youth, Barrio Lo Velásquez Norte). |
Associated with the PQMB |
Potential reinforcement of historical unrest in neighborhoods |
“They continued with ‘they are from that sector and they have this’ so there was no coming together, only between words and papers for the project. When somebody doesn’t want to work with someone else, you can’t force it. We are very close (Pob. C. Henríquez), and if nothing happens, everyone is quiet in their homes but if something happens, we are all united and there is solidarity and care for locals” (Artisans, Barrio La Isla); |
“Ok, I knew about the PQMB, but settlements have a certain dynamic of boards, meaning that there has always been conflict between boards, they are pretty strong, so I think that has made participation difficult and it will continue being difficult” (Member NDB, Barrio Bellavista) |
Participation |
Abrupt end to the program |
“What I’m seeing is that maybe the program ends very abruptly; because if it is a program that maybe should be extended until it can be seen, I mean, a program can’t end until the community feels organized to administer that (…) Like, they create the issue and they go away. And that is probably something that should change” (Member NDB, Barrio Bellavista) |
Social groups which feel excluded or invisible |
Older adult groups with medical conditions: “Yes, yes. But you don’t attend for your age, the meetings they hold, you’re on the outside of almost everything, of participating in everything. So, you stay home (…) and that is due to the climate we have too, because when winter comes (…) you don’t go out and get sick” (Group of Older Adults, Barrio Bellavista) |
Teen girls: “…Yes, because it was uncomfortable, I got there with my sister and it was like they [the boys] thought they owned the field and it was awful. After they left and it was just for the two of us, …Yes, it was awful” (Youth, 21 years, Barrio Bellavista) |