Discursos e intervenciones en torno al espacio público. Experiencias en Viena y Buenos Aires a principios de siglo XXI

In this contribution we investigate public space policies develop by the gover-nments of Vienna and Buenos Aires. Specifically, we aim to: a) describe the current discourse on public space, focusing on the notion of integration, b) to analyze various state interventions in public space oriented -at least explicitly- to generate more inclusive and integrated cities. Based on an analysis of secondary sources, we understand that despite apparently similar discourses, one should consider that Vienna and Buenos Aires enroll their history and territorial de-velopment in dissimilar contexts. However, the process of globalization involves -among other things- a homogenization of discourses that implies a relative un-derestimation of local conditions. Taking them into account, though, is essential to understand the implications of these discourses in the implementation of public policies with direct impact on public space and its uses. An evaluation of differen-ces in local conditions enriches the analysis on interventions in public space by the governments of both cities, allowing us to understand the ambiguities and risks of loss / questioning of rights - especially for the most vulnerable members of society.