Our LOCAL LOVE series invites one of our Super Spotters from TrendWatching’s Insight Network to explore the trends and innovations that are shaping their local environment (previous editions include everywhere from Lisbon to New Delhi). The next stop on the trip? Santiago, Chile, where Rotterdam-born spotter Jeanine Leenheer is now studying.
Over to you, Jeanine!
What is your favorite thing to do in the city?
The most important thing for me to do in a city I’m not familiar with is discovering hidden places. I arrived in Santiago over two months ago without any expectations. For me, that’s the best thing to do: being open-minded and go with the flow. I like to take the side streets and discover local spots; Santiago is a huge city compared to Rotterdam, where I was born, so there is plenty of opportunities to do so!
One of my favourite things to do here in Santiago is to take a random bus to an unknown place to discover the lovely local restaurants and shops. Last time I ended up in Barrio Lastarria – which turned out to be a lucky pick as I tried the tea from Elefan-té and ate something from El Chilean Way Foodtruck. Plus, I found myself in the herd of the Ruta Diseño market.
Are there any specific consumer trends you’re seeing in your local area right now?
Chileans attach value to their roots & wings, which is wonderful to see. They are super friendly and always willing to help, and love to share their cultural habits with foreign people.
On the one hand a consumer trend I am discovering in Santiago is LOCAL LOVE, but on the other hand I see the growing desire of the habitants to be more connected with the world. I would say that this fits the (G)LOCAL mindset – whereby Chileans strive to be more connected with the world while still remaining fiercely proud their own cultural traditions. What I also noticed here in Santiago is the influence of Americanization, Easternization and Westernization.
What major changes are you most excited about over the next 5-10 years? And how do you think it will change the consumers in your city?
I believe that a lot will change over the next 5-10 years! Santiago is now at the beginning of a new era of innovation, but Chileans are never in a hurry – they do everything ‘tranquillo’! This means that innovations will come, but in their own time.
Just over a month ago, the first smart city event in Santiago was organised with more than 60 experts from over the world. At the event, the experts spoke about innovation, resilience, green buildings, the Internet of things, digital transfers and the public order. The event is a good example of the new way of thinking in Santiago about resources, climate change, inequality and an increasing population.
As well as this, last June saw Santiago win the Sustainable Transport Award – showing how, in recent years, a lot of improvements have been made: increasing the number safe sidewalks for pedestrians, more cycle paths, cycling educations programs in primary school and more trees being planted (to name but a few!).
Another cool example is Awto, a car sharing website where you can rent a car for minutes, hours or days. I’d be thrilled to see more infrastructural changes over the next 8 years. More changes will come, but always in the Chilean way. The city is developing itself to a more innovative, smart sustainable, self-expressed, forward-looking city. ☺
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