Various scholars link the sense of belonging to a population's social and cultural appropriation of territory. Along these lines, authors such as Spanish geographer Joan Nogué connect human societies to the places they inhabit—spaces with which they identify and bond, granting them significance as vital shapers and consolidators of identity.
In this regard, the Matta Viel Housing Complex in Santiago, designed by the architecture firm Bresciani Valdés Castillo Huidobro, is significant for several reasons. It stands out as a remarkable example of appropriation—a model of public social housing in Chile that not only seamlessly integrates into the urban fabric but has also been fully embraced and brought to life by its residents.
