Heritage Governance and Adaptive Reuse in Southern Chile: Case Studies from Lota and Punta Arenas

In recent decades, the redefinition of heritage has led to research focused on the governance and management of heritage reuse, particularly emphasizing the role of communities in these processes. This article examines the influence of new uses and the participation of social stakeholders in fostering sustainable reuse and inclusive governance. Drawing on a qualitative methodology—combining documentary sources and interviews with key stakeholders—this study analyzes two heritage sites in the southern Chilean cities of Lota and Punta Arenas, using a critical heritage framework. The findings suggest that a hybrid model of collaboration between public institutions and civil society organizations positively contributes to the sustainability of heritage reuse. A key challenge identified is ensuring the sustained engagement of these diverse stakeholders in the long-term administration of heritage sites.