THE SOCIAL DIMENSIONS OF SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN BUENOS AIRES: A COMPARATIVE CASE STUDY by Bianca Mers A thesis submitted to the Faculty of the University of Delaware in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Honors Bachelor of Arts in International Relations with Distinction Spring 2020 © 2020 Bianca Mers All Rights Reserved THE SOCIAL DIMENSIONS OF SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN BUENOS AIRES: A COMPARATIVE CASE STUDY by Bianca Mers Approved: __________________________________________________________ Benjamin Bagozzi, Ph.D. Professor in charge of thesis on behalf of the Advisory Committee Approved: __________________________________________________________ Matthew Weinert, Ph.D. Committee member from the Department of Political Science and International Relations Approved: __________________________________________________________ Theodore Davis, Jr., Ph.D. Committee member from the Board of Senior Thesis Readers Approved: __________________________________________________________ Michael Chajes, Ph.D. Deputy Faculty Director, University Honors Program ACKNOWLEDGMENTS iii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................... vi ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................. vii 1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................. 1 1.1 Sustainable Urban Development: An Introduction ................................... 2 1.2 Research Questions and Objectives ........................................................... 4 1.3 Thesis Outline ............................................................................................ 4 2 CONTEXT ......................................................................................................... 6 2.1 Definition of Sustainable Development .................................................... 6 2.2 Role of Phenomenology ............................................................................ 7 2.3 International Perspective on Sustainable Development .......................... 10 2.4 Local Perspectives on Sustainable Development .................................... 11 3 THE KEY FACTOR ........................................................................................ 13 3.1 Application for Analysis .......................................................................... 16 4 METHODS ....................................................................................................... 19 4.1 Comparative Case Study Approach ......................................................... 19 4.2 Role of Field Research ............................................................................ 20 4.3 Case Study Context: Buenos Aires, Argentina ........................................ 21 5 ANALYSIS ...................................................................................................... 24 5.1 La Boca .................................................................................................... 24 5.1.1 Description .................................................................................. 25 5.1.2 Context ........................................................................................ 26 5.1.3 Connection to the SDGs and Comprehensive Plan ..................... 27 5.1.4 Efforts at Revitalization ............................................................... 27 5.1.5 Consequences of Revitalization .................................................. 28 5.1.5.1 Gentrification ................................................................ 28 5.1.5.2 Local Identity ................................................................ 30 5.1.6 Field Observations ....................................................................... 31 5.2 El Riachuelo ............................................................................................ 33 5.2.1 Description .................................................................................. 33 iv 5.2.2 Context ........................................................................................ 34 5.2.3 Connection to the SDGs and Comprehensive Plans .................... 36 5.2.4 Efforts at Improvement ................................................................ 36 5.2.5 Consequences of Improvement ................................................... 38 5.2.6 Field Research ............................................................................. 39 6 FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION ................................................................... 43 6.1 Findings ................................................................................................... 43 6.2 Conclusion and Discussion ...................................................................... 44 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................. 48 v LIST OF FIGURES Location of La Boca relative to the City of Buenos Aires ........................................... 25 Figure The Famous Street and Tourist Attraction, El Caminito .................................. 32 Figure A Modern Staging of the Inside of a Tenement House ..................................... 33 Figure Map of the Riachuelo Watershed with Population per Region ......................... 34 Figure Decorated Bottles Protecting the New Life in the Riachuelo ........................... 41 Figure New Sewage and Flooding Infrastructure along the Banks of the Riachuelo ... 42 vi ABSTRACT Often conceptualized mostly simply as the relationship between people, the environment, and economics, sustainable development has become a popular buzzword. Without regard for consistency or social implications, sustainable development has continued to advance, branching out into operational policies as well. In particular, cities have often been identified as laying the groundwork for sustainable development both in theory and practice, representing a uniquely impactful testing ground for many of these policies. However, sustainable development in an urban context provides not only opportunities but also brings to light understudied obstacles. One challenge, which is often neglected at nearly all applications of sustainable development is social sustainability. In this paper, I propose that socio-spatial awareness is an essential factor in the equation for successful sustainable development outcomes. I test this assertion through a comparative case study of two sub-city sites in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Ultimately, I find that by better understanding the relationships people form with their spaces, a positive sustainable development outcome is both more achievable and more likely. vii Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION How do we translate international definitions of, and international policies for, sustainable development to the city and sub-city level? International institutions, policy makers, and research have broadly emphasized the importance of sustainable development, but evidence suggests a number of shortcomings in the implementation of these goals at the local level. This undergraduate thesis uses case-based evidence and field research to address the disconnect between sustainable development theory and practice. I specifically do so in the context of Buenos Aires, Argentina, whilst asking the key research questions “Is there a factor that influences the degree and success of city- level sustainability efforts? If so, what is that factor?” Summarized briefly, my findings suggest that the socio-spatial awareness of people and their physical environments is an integral part to the success of sustainable development. These findings have important implications for international sustainable development efforts. The first is increasing consistency and efficiency of sustainable development practices across applications at the international and level level. They are also relevant for city level initiatives such as neighborhood integration and local identity. Below I expand on these points, and begin by outlining the concept of sustainable development for the reader in further detail. 1 1.1 Sustainable Urban Development: An Introduction In the 1987 UN report entitled “Our Common Future,” the phrase “sustainable development” was famously defined as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Brundtland, 1987). Since this report, sustainable development has taken many forms, simultaneously constructing an entire paradigm for reality while dissolving into a catch-all buzzword that calls into question not only the validity of the concept but its existence at all. Regardless of the existential questions surrounding sustainable development, the term “sustainable development” is simultaneously used, and in some cases abused, as a motivation, justification, and guide for change. The result is often haphazard and piecemeal strategies from a variety of actors at varying levels of governance that lack the precision and focus required to identify and address the biggest threats to creating a better future. It would seem then that the most pressing questions surrounding sustainable development are not “What is it?” and “What does it mean?” but rather “What does it look like?” and “What does it mean for people’s lives?” The answers to these questions are further complicated within the context of urban systems.