Introduction

Living in the Intra-Urban Confines of Lima: A Precariousness of Geopolitical Origin

“…Finally, the territorial approach to precariousness through the notion of confines brings us closer to other notions that we have used as operational concepts such as margin (Sierra & Tadié, 2008), vulnerability and space-at-risk (Sierra, 2009) and citadinity (Lussault, 2013) which will serve to question this urban precariousness. Even if the confines we are examining may be margins, the latter notion expresses a centerperiphery relationship more clearly than that of confines.…”

“…Likewise, the confines accommodate activities considered undesirable in the densest part of the city: wholesale markets, warehouses, industrial activities, logistic facilities. Hence, some of these confines become margins in the sense of a "situation of marginalization resulting from official and majority representation", a situation that also results in "overlapping competencies and the exercise of power" (Sierra & Tadié, 2008). Indeed, relegation leads to urbanization on both sides of the borders, which in turn produces interactions between actors and inhabitants of two neighboring districts.…”

The techno-political fabric of Rio de Janeiro: insights from electricity infrastructure

“…A regularization program specifically aims to ban illegal connections and to regularize the commercial relationship.3 Commercial losses are considered as the percentage of electricity consumed that is not correctly metered, billed and for which revenue is not collected.4 Commercial losses are generally given as one of the reasons for the general increase in electricity tariffs. In fact, according to the regulation, only some of the commercial losses are integrated in the tariff, and some remain a financial loss for the provider.5 A constructivist and relational perspective of urban margins considers them as "a situation of exclusion resulting from an official and majority representation, integrated by the dominant urban actors"(Sierra & Tadié, 2008). It deviates from the theory of marginality that has already been criticized and abandoned in Latin America since the 1970s.6 M. Pereira Leite e C. Gomes, "Favela como margem, território da violência e território de negócios": https://wikifavelas.com.br/index.php?title=Favela_como_margem,_ territ%C3%B3rio_da_viol%C3%AAncia_e_territ%C3%B3rio_de_neg%C3%B3cios7 These discussions found their origins in Science and Technology Studies research on cities that since the 1970s have offered a valuable understanding of the interaction between urban processes and technological change by considering the effects of technology on the urban form initially, and the role of politics and cultural values in shaping urban technology, later(Aibar;Bijker, 1997).8 Interview with Gerente de relacionamento com as comunidades, Light, 1/09/2011.…”

O tecido tecno-político do Rio de Janeiro: reflexões sobre a infraestrutura de eletricidade

“…Os programas de regularização têm como objetivo específico banir ligações ilegais na rede elétrica e regularizar a relação comercial.3 Perdas comerciais são entendidas como a porcentagem de energia elétrica que é consumida, mas não é corretamente medida e cobrada, e cuja receita não é coletada.4 As perdas comerciais costumam ser apontadas como uma das razões para o aumento das tarifas de energia elétrica. Na prática, de acordo com a regulamentação, apenas uma parte das perdas comerciais é integrada à tarifa, e uma parte permanece como prejuízo para o provedor.5 Uma perspectiva construtivista e relacional as considera como "uma situação de exclusão que resulta de uma representação oficial e majoritária, incorporada pelos atores urbanos dominantes"(Sierra;Tadié, 2008). Esse entendimento se distancia da teoria da marginalidade, que já foi criticada e abandonada na América Latina desde a década de 1970.6 M. Pereira Leite e C. Gomes, "Favela como margem, território da violência e território de negócios".…”