Chile Correspondent Alvaro Contente

Introducing our Chile Correspondent Alvaro Contente!

Here at Pedestrian Space we recently launched a Global Walkability Correspondents Network, as a way to build solidarity among walkability advocates around the world and continue to create media on sustainable mobility and urbanism.

We are grateful to welcome Santiago-based Alvaro to our growing network of individuals who are passionate walkability advocates.

*Santiago’s financial district, this particular street (Apoquindo ave) is I think a good example of great consideration for pedestrians – Alvaro Contente*

WHO

I’m a mechanical engineer and worked as a project manager for infrastructure projects for almost 6 years when I decided I needed something more in my life. I always read and kept myself informed about public policy, especially relating to urbanism, public spending, energy, and the environment. Then I decided to study for a Master in Public Administration at Columbia University. Living in NYC was an experience that helped me realize that great things can happen in the places we live through cooperation and advocacy. I want to explore what connections and realizations the role of Correspondent can give, to advance the goals of a more sustainable way of life in cities.

If a green revolution is to happen, it will depend to a great extent on our capacity to start walking again. But cities need to encourage that through policy and design.
-Alvaro Contente

WHERE

I’m from Santiago, Chile. Santiago is a great city, with a lot of character, friendly people, and vibrant culture. But it is also a place of great socioeconomic inequality, something pervasive in Latin American countries. Our leaders have done a great job reducing this gap in areas like mobility: Santiago has one of the longest metro networks of Latin America, but thinking about these great projects, leaders have also forgotten about the little things: the sidewalks, the trees, the neighborhood shops where you know the owner and that are a 5-minute walk away.

At one of the most iconic parks in Santiago- Quinta Normal. The building on the right is the National Museum of Natural History. The Quinta Normal park (founded in 1841) reflects how most great urban developments in Santiago occurred during late XIX and early XX centuries. -Alvaro Contente

Living in NYC was an experience that helped me realize that great things can happen in the places we live through cooperation and advocacy.
Alvaro Contente

WHY WALKABILITY

For a lot of reasons! Walking is a great way to meet people, exercise and it’s great for the mind as well. In times when it’s difficult to disconnect from devices and world news, walking brings peace of mind and a moment to reflect on what is really important to us. If a green revolution is to happen, it will depend to a great extent on our capacity to start walking again. But cities need to encourage that through policy and design.

Álvaro is an engineer, Master of Public Administration, avid walker, and biker. He spends a great part of his free time wandering around Santiago de Chile’s streets. He’s passionate about the intersection between policy, urbanism, sustainability, and innovation.

Read Chile Correspondent Alvaro’s content here

Learn more about the Global Walkability Correspondents Network here