From urban informality to the speculative urban regime: A comparative analysis of three cities in Peru

In this article we propose the concept of speculative urban regime to confront criticism of the concept of informality, and to describe the contemporary conditions of production of urban space in Peru since 2000. For this purpose, a comparative study of three areas of expansion in Arequipa, Lima and Tacna in Peru, and 91 semi-structured interviews were applied, as well as analysis of secondary and socio-spatial information. The results show that the modes of production of urban space in the three cities of Peru are based on the land dispute with fine speculations. The state apparatus, private companies, criminal networks and civil associations participate in this process in a synergistic manner and with social and legal agreements. The findings allow us to discuss the concept of “speculative urban regime” as a bid to explain the complexity of the power relations involved in the production of urban land on the margins of Peruvian cities.