Transport Infrastructure Projects and its Relationship with Localities Development

Abstract

This article seeks to determine whether the territorial development expected product of improvements in connectivity conditions in Chile (measured through public investment in transport infrastructure) has actually materialized, if it is well received by the public, and what factors explain such results. The study was conducted using an approach that combines quantitative and qualitative analysis, eld analysis, ex-post, experimental, meso-economic nature, not exhaustive and specic to each territory. For this, indicators of change or evolution of poverty, labor market, competitiveness and population are analyzed at community level. Then, the study explores these dimensions through in{depth interviews people in six communes with high investment in infrastructure. The main conclusion of the analysis is that there is little relationship between improvements in transport connectivity and observed changes in the perceived level of community socio{economic development, even though people think that such relationship exist. This seems to be the manifestation of the mistake in connectivity public policy because it has not generated the expected results. The cause of this would be the inadequate denition of their objectives, and the incorrect identication of benets and beneciaries.