Walking for Joy? Using a living laboratory to shift to more climate-friendly lifestyles in Santiago, Chile

Abstract

Two-track thinking about climate change and related sustainability challenges reflects the tendency for people to express concern but, notwithstanding, continue life as usual, making no changes in lifestyles or political agendas. How to overcome this phenomenon has come to the fore as central to meeting energy, transport and other targets for limiting global warming enough to ensure human societies do not collapse. Mobilizing the right emotions, in the right socio-cultural contexts, has proven a major challenge, amidst the failure of conventional communications methods. These typically assume an information deficit: the erroneous belief that people will change if they have more facts. This study involved a practical application of current thinking about cultural trauma, using everyday walking as a vehicle for change. It contributes to current knowledge in three dimensions. It uses walking and walkability to examine the challenge of moving from knowledge to action in a highly urbanized, middle-income country, Chile, which is rapidly transitioning toward “development” but still has a long way to go. It focuses on how to connect theory with real streets, in a troubled but resilient neighborhood, Bellavista, in Metropolitan Santiago. And it innovated using a transdisciplinary, activism-based, action research methodology. Addressing crime, gender and childhood in walking-related strategies effectively encouraged more sustainable living, improving links with local food and community gardens, shared meals, and walking-cycling among older adults, families and children. Improving social solidarity and connection proved an essential first step to open up pathways with strong potential for improving sustainability. Sustainable development goals: 3 Health; 7 Energy; 11 Cities; 17 Alliances.