Valparaíso (Chile): involving the citizens in the development of the port

Valparaiso is one of the best-known cities in Chile, for its history, its heritage buildings, its academic institutions and – of course – its port. Located in the famous Valparaiso Region, today the inner city has a population of around 300,000 inhabitants, while more than one million live in the metropolitan area. Valparaiso's maritime connections have made it a fundamental port for the country, particularly from the 19th century and throughout the 20th. The complexity of its topography is echoed in that of its institutions. Recognition of its historical centre, where the city originated, as a UNESCO world heritage city has presented a major challenge to port expansion in recent years. With the aim of developing a coherent vision for the whole waterfront, including the port, Valparaiso Port Company (Empresa Portuaria Valparaíso – EPV) launched a new process in January called “Valparaíso Dialoga” (Valparaiso in dialogue), the first stage of which will continue until the end of April. It is intended to enable the port to listen to the various views of the inhabitants and authorities about how to develop the port as the city completes 500 years of existence, and how to forge better port-city relations. In this interview with Franco Gandolfo, General Manager of EPV, we discover how this process has worked. Port of Valparaiso, is an active member of AIVP since 2002 Panoramic View Valparaiso - Javier Rubilar - www.flickr.com/photos/23579749@N00 Valparaíso Dialoga AIVP – Port expansion projects frequently generate debate, as they involve global, national and local actors with different points of view and interests. AIVP has followed the debate in Valparaiso, which has received considerable media attention, as well as the opinions aired by citizens, specialists and politicians. What is the greatest challenge for port-city relations in Valparaiso, after years of discussion? Franco Gandolfo, General Manager of EPV - The Port of Valparaiso has started this new process of dialogue that we have called “Valparaíso Dialoga”. Its main aim is to establish the parameters or conditions which will provide the city with a port expansion to face the challenges of Chile's foreign trade, and of course meet the needs of industry world-wide consistent with the various important functions of the port city. We hope also to lay the foundations of a new relationship between Valparaiso and its port. The greatest challenge that we face as a city is to find – involving as many actors as possible – the points of agreement that will allow us to progress with the necessary development of the port in harmony; and at the same time make the most of one of the principal strategic assets of Valparaiso and its port – the sheltered waters offered by the bay. We must also agree how this expansion will strengthen and support other areas of city life, such as its heritage status, tourism, shops, university life, etc. And where we find differences, see how we can face them, solve them and convert them into opportunities in order to make them assets for the challenges that we will meet in the next few years. Today Valparaiso needs investment and development, and we believe that the port should continue to be a cornerstone of this recovery of this big city that has played such an important role in the country and its history; and of course, the port of Valparaiso must continue to be one of the fundamental pillars of Chile's foreign trade. Logo Valparaíso Dialoga © EPV The trust of the people AIVP – One of the greatest challenges faced by port authorities and port…