Reconciling Memory: A Study on Heritage Interpretation at Memory Sites in Concepción, Chile

Abstract

In the context of post-dictatorship and symbolic reconciliation, heritage protection has driven the recognition of memory sites, reflecting memorialization policies in Chile. In Gran Concepción, the country’s second-largest urban conglomerate, there are multiple spaces where human rights violations were committed, now converted into memory sites. Initially promoted by collectives and later institutionalized, memorials emerge that, despite having strong symbolic value, may go unnoticed. This raises key questions: Do they transmit the memory of the dictatorship? Do they foster reflection? Do they receive adequate maintenance? The process of establishment involves valorization and recognition, so the interpretation of these spaces must be evaluated based on their capacity to communicate the past through all their characteristics, both physical and symbolic.
This research analyzes the architectural and urban strategies employed in memory sites in Gran Concepción, as well as their visibility and recognition by passersby. A qualitative approach is used based on three analyses: 1) documentary, 2) fieldwork, and 3) perception. The hypothesis suggests that interpretation in these sites is deficient due to weaknesses in their architec-tural and urban design. The study reveals that, although these sites are part of the urban heritage, they are not formally integrated into the city, generating deficiencies in valorization and cultural interpretation. Three design strategies were analyzed: 1) configured spaces, 2) commemorative plaques, and 3) symbolic objects. The perception of these spaces varies according to prior knowledge and generation, underscoring the need to improve their design and discourse.