# Community Strengthening in Urban Neighborhoods: Psychosocial Dynamics in Vulnerable Contexts

## TL;DR

This study explores how community dynamics and social vulnerability shape urban neighborhoods in Temuco, highlighting the role of residents and organizations in fostering community strength.

## Contribution

The paper introduces a participatory evaluation approach to uncover psychosocial dynamics and organizational trajectories in socially vulnerable urban neighborhoods.

## Key findings

- Strong links exist between psychosocial dynamics, historical origins, and organizational trajectories in vulnerable neighborhoods.
- Older residents demonstrate higher levels of organizational capacity and community involvement.
- Empowerment is limited to leadership roles, with low political engagement and no shared overarching community goals.

## Abstract

This study aimed to understand the local particularities and common aspects of community psychosocial dynamics in different neighborhoods of the city of Temuco. These neighborhoods share conditions of social vulnerability and established a collaborative agreement with the research team. A participatory evaluation was conducted using mixed methods and participatory data production methodologies. The study involved key informants, members of organizations, and residents from each neighborhood. Both an ongoing analysis of each neighborhood and an integrated analysis were performed to address the study's objectives. In all three neighborhoods, a strong link was identified among their psychosocial dynamics, historical origins, and organizational trajectories associated with ensuring subsistence and urban development. Currently, there is evidence of organizational capacity, a sense of community, and social capital, particularly among older residents, who play more active roles in local organizations and demonstrate greater involvement in community life. However, empowerment is concentrated in individuals holding leadership roles and remains limited within organizations. Although a sense of community prevails, there are no overarching objectives that unite residents in shared goals for the common good. The level of political engagement in organizational life and interactions with public policy is low. In one of the neighborhoods, some female leaders exhibit a broader sociopolitical understanding, fostering a critical stance toward clientelistic relationships with political actors. The participatory evaluation process has shown positive effects on the neighborhoods’ participatory dynamics, alongside other advancements in community strengthening.