Entramados comunitarios vecinales estudiantiles posibles

Abstract

This research addresses how to strengthen the relationships between students and communities of the neighbourhoods near the university campus in a studentification context. Specifically, it is addressed the case of the University of Bio-Bio, in the city of Concepción, Chile. The methodology was qualitative, with some participatory elements. Twenty interviews were applied to inhabitants of the neighbourhood near the campus, including neighbours that rent their properties to students, neighbours that do not rent their properties, local market owners, and university students. To analyse them, the software Atlas.ti was utilised to describe the perceptions about relationships between neighbours and students. In the second stage, this information was utilised to elaborate informative stands, which were also used as participatory places where 73 students could propose potential strategies for strengthening the relationships with the neighbourhood. The results show that the neighbours recognise the studentification context, which is growing on time, and that they have weak community relationships and limited relationships with the students. The relationships between students and the neighbourhood are contradictory: they are valued in economic and social aspects, but they also imply conflicts. The students propose several strategies in order to strengthen community relationships. Most of these relate to the connection between art and community life, education, volunteering and university extension. In all these proposals, the role of the university is recognised as a relevant issue. The university should coordinate and facilitate encounter processes to strengthen community relationships.