THE CITY ON THE MAP. ANALYSIS OF THE URBAN FORM OF TEMUCO AND NUEVA IMPERIAL. ARAUCANÍA, 1880-1920

Abstract

Aft er the “pacifi cation of La Araucanía” (1862-1883), towns and cities were
founded, which were laid out including the sites of military forts. Th e main objective
of these foundations was to guarantee the occupation and colonization of the territory,
consolidating the presence of the Chilean State through its institutions. In this sense, the founding of these cities reproduced towards the end of the 19th century the urban
model developed in the Spanish colonies for approximately 300 years. From a theoretical
perspective that considers the city as a historical fact in constant observation since
its foundation, this study aims to explore the origins and transformations in the urban
structure. It focuses on identifying, describing and comparing the designs present in
the urban plans of Temuco and Nueva Imperial, capitals of their respective departments.
The analysis reveals that the plans drawn up between 1890 and 1920 do not
show significant variations. However, for both cities, the first urban plan was crucial,
as it established the extension of the city, the logic of land occupation, the distribution
and presence of civil institutions, the location of the railroad infrastructure and the
hierarchy of streets.