What makes: Santiago?
Our round-up of Santiago’s core ‘sense of place’ ingredients.
A week in Santiago at the end of March feels almost medicinal. There is a crispness in the Autumn air, and a gentle busyness about the city as it begins to prepare for the winter months.
With its mountain-range backdrop, skyscraper foreground, and many distinctive character areas, neighbourhoods and parks, there is no denying that Santiago is a truly beautiful city. The way of life is understated; the public spaces are easy and enjoyable.
But what contributes to these feelings of understatement, easiness, and gentleness? As ever, the answer lies in the city’s culture. Here is our breakdown of what makes Santiago’s sense of place.
Inheritance
The historical and geographical contexts of Santiago are vital to the culture of the city. Residents here have inherited these contexts, and as with any inheritance, these contexts are there to be nurtured, developed and learned from.
The traumatic dictatorship of Pinochet is still in Chile’s very recent history, and memory of this continues to shape Santiago’s socio-political landscape. The people still anxiously exercise their right to speak out, and the city itself leans to the liberal left. The product is an environment of freedoms: a freedom to enjoy the city, as well as a freedom to criticise the city.
The other vital inherited context in Santiago is that of the environment. The fact of the climate is inescapable; the city is surrounded by jaw-dropping mountains, it regularly experiences earthquakes, and is in the midst of a decade-long drought. Santiago is uniquely vulnerable to the elements, and the people are responding to this with a conscientious sense of responsibility. Across the city, organisations and institutions are dutifully making the changes needed today, to protect the natural beauty that they have inherited for tomorrow.
These are rituals of duty, care, passion and continuity for the next generation.
Betterment
There is an understated sense of aspiration and ambition in the city of Santiago. This is evident first and foremost among the people. From office-workers to street-cleaners, the people of the city go about their business in a purposeful, professional way. This is a prosperous city full of opportunity.
This principle of betterment is also seen in the city’s infrastructural and economic development. In 2012, Santiago opened South America’s tallest building: the Costanera Center. Meanwhile, urban renewal projects are taking place at scale in the city centre, and suburban paradises are developing fast in the mountainous foothills.
As the city develops its mobility, liveability, tourism and culinary offerings, Santiago is inching ever closer to becoming a truly global player in the game of great cities.
The little things
Santiago and its people provide a culture that truly deliver on the little things. Every residential square features a fountain, every neighbourhood corner hosts a florist stall, every public space provides a bathroom, every park is immaculately managed, every green space is watered and kept clear of litter. The list continues.
Each of these small gestures add up to a city that feels loved and cared for. Indeed, it is a self-fulfilling prophesy; the small details create places that people enjoy spending time in, and in turn the people ensure these places are loved, cared for and maintained.
When the people of Santiago offer warmth, welcome and politeness to any visitors of their city, they are guided by this sense of care and pride in place. Part of what makes this city so joyful as a visitor, is the infectious warmth, pride and perfectionism that emanates from Santiago’s culture – starting from the love of place.
