Population, territory and sustainable development
The purpose of this document is to provide an overview of current trends, contexts and issues in the spheres of population, territory and sustainable development and examine their public policy implications. Three themes run through the report. The first two are laid out in the empirical chapters (III through X); the third is taken up in the closing chapter. Using the most recent data available (including censuses conducted in the 2010s), the first theme describes and tracks location and spatial mobility patterns for the population of Latin America, focusing on certain kinds of territory. The second explores the linkages between these patterns and sustainable development in different kinds of territory in Latin America and the Caribbean. The third offers considerations and policy proposals for fostering a consistent, synergistic relationship between population location and spatial mobility, on the one hand, and sustainable development, on the other, in the kinds of territory studied.
The purpose of this document is to provide an overview of current trends, contexts and issues in the spheres of population, territory and sustainable development and examine their public policy implications. Three themes run through the report. The first two are laid out in the empirical chapters (III through X); the third is taken up in the closing chapter. Using the most recent data available (including censuses conducted in the 2010s), the first theme describes and tracks location and spatial mobility patterns for the population of Latin America, focusing on certain kinds of territory. The second explores the linkages between these patterns and sustainable development in different kinds of territory in Latin America and the Caribbean. The third offers considerations and policy proposals for fostering a consistent, synergistic relationship between population location and spatial mobility, on the one hand, and sustainable development, on the other, in the kinds of territory studied.
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137<br />
Figure VIII.4<br />
LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN (16 COUNTRIES): NET ENROLMENT RATIO<br />
IN PRIMARY EDUCATION AND PRIMARY EDUCATION COMPLETION RATE<br />
IN URBAN AREAS, CENSUS DATA FOR THE 2000s<br />
100<br />
90<br />
80<br />
70<br />
60<br />
50<br />
40<br />
30<br />
20<br />
10<br />
0<br />
Argentina<br />
Bolivia<br />
(Plur. State of)<br />
Brazil<br />
Chile<br />
Costa Rica<br />
Ecuador<br />
El Salvador<br />
Guatemala<br />
Honduras<br />
Mexico<br />
Nicaragua<br />
Panama<br />
Paraguay<br />
Peru<br />
Dominican Rep.<br />
Venezuela<br />
(Bol. Rep. of)<br />
Net enrolment ratio in primary education<br />
Primary education completion rate<br />
Source: Latin American <strong>and</strong> Caribbean Demographic Centre (CELADE) - <strong>Population</strong> Division of ECLAC, Spatial distribution<br />
<strong>and</strong> urbanization in Latin America <strong>and</strong> the Caribbean (DEPUALC) database.<br />
But recent urban growth areas <strong>and</strong> neighbourhoods are plagued by a shortage of education<br />
infrastructure, while the quality of learning varies with the location of the institution. In general, wealthier<br />
neighbourhoods are characterized by a more extensive supply <strong>and</strong> better quality. In addition, the better<br />
quality public institutions tend to be concentrated in the city centre, which means longer trips <strong>and</strong> higher<br />
transport costs for lower-income segments of the population. There are also deficits in preschool coverage<br />
<strong>and</strong> in the lengthening of the school day in public education.<br />
Reducing these gaps is crucial: “Education plays a decisive role in the search for equality.<br />
Learning that is less segmented by socioeconomic level, gender, <strong>territory</strong> <strong>and</strong> ethnic origin will help<br />
reduce the inequality gap from one generation to the next” (ECLAC, 2010a).<br />
The deficit in public spaces is defined as the unmet need for public use areas, spaces or places<br />
(open or closed) that promote recreation, relaxation, interchange, social integration, the preservation of<br />
historical <strong>and</strong> cultural heritage <strong>and</strong> contact with nature (MINVU, 2009). All the countries of the region<br />
have a public-space deficit in urban areas. In some cases, the number of green areas per inhabitant is far<br />
below the recommended ratio at both national <strong>and</strong> international levels, especially in poorer urban areas or<br />
neighbourhoods. Another problem associated with this deficit is the inadequate, scarce or non-existent<br />
maintenance of plazas, parks <strong>and</strong> green areas in general, which leads to a degeneration of public real<br />
estate, trees <strong>and</strong> plants. There is also a shortage of public sports <strong>and</strong> recreation facilities (stadiums, indoor<br />
gymnasiums, multipurpose fields, <strong>and</strong> so forth), which is most evident in the lowest-income districts in<br />
the cities. The creation <strong>and</strong> maintenance of public spaces usually falls to local governments, which