Modernization of the civic space in La Araucanía: The republican square at the beginning of the 20th century

Abstract

Within the context of the consolidation of Latin American Nation States during the 19th century, specifically the Chilean case in Araucanía, the shift from a military occupation to a modernized society took on a material expression in urban spaces. This transformation saw a transition from buildings associated with military and religious power to structures serving civic functions aligned with republican ideals. This study aims to characterize the concentration of new functions around Araucanía's civic spaces at the beginning of the 20th century, highlighting their role as instruments in a complex process of social modernization driven by the state. To achieve this, a review of primary and secondary sources is conducted to identify the morphological variables of public spaces, focusing specifically on central plazas. The findings indicate that the immediate surroundings of these plazas were enhanced with functions and facilities typical of 19th-century ideals, often linked to progress and capitalism. At the same time, within the plazas themselves, architectural furnishings dedicated to civic life were gradually introduced. A unique factor highlighted is the recurring earthquakes, which repeatedly necessitated the reconfiguration of urban spaces.