Airbnb in Valparaíso: Location Dynamics and their Relationship with Touristification and Depopulation Processes

Short-term housing rental platforms such as Airbnb have captured the attention of urban studies given their effect on the value of rental and purchase of homes, displacement of residents, impact on their lives, capture of land rent, and conflicts. with the hotel market. This article analyzes the emergence of Airbnb as a real estate submarket that installs a new expression of the touristification process in Valparaíso. Through a spatial analysis, the development of Airbnb in Valparaíso is assessed, considering the main development poles, distribution according to rental typologies, and its relationship with touristification processes visible in heritage hills. The results show differentiated expansion poles, where urban experiences are promoted in neighborhoods with gastronomic and cultural offerings, a balcony overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and even 'authentic' port experiences with residents native to the city. Airbnb opens a new stage in the touristification process that began in 2003, incorporating housing rentals as a resource valued by tourist markets. Its development reinforces the depopulation of the lower part of the hills, exacerbating a structural problem of the city. The case of Valparaíso highlights the need to observe in the future the impact of this platform on access to housing and depopulation processes in the Chilean city.