Urbanizing the Mountains

This chapter explores the socio-environmental effects of urbanization and rural-to-urban migration in Latin America, focusing on the case of La Calera, Colombia. In a region where urbanization rates are high, La Calera stands out for experiencing an unexpected trend of urban-to-rural migration. The transformation of agricultural and protected land into residential spaces raises questions about environmental justice and conflicting visions of nature. Despite class differences and competing interests, newcomers and longtimers in La Calera form coalitions based on shared goals of environmental protection and opposition to the state’s inconsistent actions. The chapter highlights the complex dynamics between different social classes and land uses, challenging traditional notions of peri-urban areas and emphasizing the need for closer study of the diverse urbanization processes in the Latin American countryside. It explores the concept of “rururbanization” to describe this in-between character of urban expansion, encompassing suburbanization and rural gentrification. Through an examination of interclass coalitions and negotiations with the state, the book offers insights into how people from different backgrounds can unite to protect nature and address the challenges of urban growth in the context of climate change.