THE UNEQUAL CITY. Spatial Heritage and the Construction of Narratives of Exclusion: Architecture, Street Names and Monuments - Lima, 1845 to 1945 -

The present work addresses the links between spatial heritage, memory, and citizenship in the construction of narratives of exclusion in the city of Lima. To this end, three urban symbols are analyzed from a critical perspective: architecture, street names, and monuments in the historic center, from 1845 to 1945. The chosen period corresponds to a seminal time in the formation of the new capital after independence from Spain; it concludes in the years following the celebration of its first centennial and the impact it had on the city at large. The core purpose of this research is to analyze how these symbols were used in the construction of a city imaginary, what mechanisms were used to this end, and what possible reasons may explain this process. Among the main conclusions, this thesis reveals a series of decisions taken by the elites of the time that were intended to immortalize the memory and the identity of a white minority, thus defining a place largely unprepared to become the capital of a multicultural country. This investigation suggests a new way of understanding the historical tensions in Lima, between its indigenous and Hispanic identities, from the perspective of its spatial heritage. The results seek to stimulate a critical review of the city's legacy and contribute to the formulation of a vision of common futures, considering its diverse origins, identities, and memories.