Conurbation as a socio-territorial phenomenon and its consequences: prospective analysis of a case

Abstract

Conurbation is an emerging phenomenon of the growth of two or more contiguous or nearby urban areas that at a given historical moment become a unit, bringing about consequences that in general does not recognize any anticipatory strategy and redefines the current or ongoing territorial development models. A series of conurbations in the Argentina and Chile territories are previously described, already analyzed by the author in other works, and the evolution of two nearby urban areas in Argentina that will consolidate a conurbation in the near medium-term future is put into tension. The possible consequences are analyzed, and a series of actions are proposed to be carried out prospectively among the most relevant territorial actors to ensure that a phenomenon that a priori has possible negative effects can become a virtuous and sustainable model, involving and engaging the highly significant business sector in the region under study. A series of action fronts are listed to be considered that could initiate a process of territorial planning in anticipation of the difficulties and complexities that emerge in conurbations. Finally, the need to manage adequate and relevant governance of the conurbanized territory is made explicit.