Abstract

CANEVARI, Tomás. Community strategies and popular organisation in pandemics. Case of Puente de Fierro, La Plata, Argentina. Bitácora Urbano Territorial [online]. 2022, vol.32, n.2, pp.145-157.  Epub July 06, 2022. ISSN 0124-7913.  https://doi.org/10.15446/bitacora.v32n2.99438.

The aim of this study is to survey the perspective of leaders of social organisations in the most populous informal settlement in the Greater La Plata conurbation, in Argentina, on the main problems related to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the strategies they deploy to reproduce everyday life in a context of deepening inequalities. The work adopts a scientific position that aims not only to produce knowledge but also to recognise the actors involved, in order to contribute to the strengthening of a neighbourhood network through Participatory Action Research techniques. The article is based on sustained fieldwork throughout the year 2020 and interviews with representatives of organisations based in the neighbourhood. The survey reveals the worsening of poverty conditions, the increase in demand for soup kitchens and the insufficiency of income transfer policies. The health measures adopted by the pandemic had a strong impact on contexts of high social, economic and environmental vulnerability such as the one studied. In order to sustain the reproduction of life in this scenario of instability and uncertainty, social organisations with a territorial base strengthened their articulation in order to strengthen the role of assistance, containment and solidarity.

Keywords : squatter settlements; social inequality; basic needs; social planning; pandemics.

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