Territorial Infrastructure Support Index (ISIT): A theoretical and empirical contribution to the analysis of lag zones in Chile

Abstract

Through a review of the literature on infrastructure, a study of internationalexperiences, expert knowledge, and the elaboration of a Territorial Infrastructure SupportIndex (ISIT), this paper provides a comparative analysis of the development conditions –regarding infrastructure and services – for the location of productive economic activities,at the regional and provincial level in Chile. The results show contrasts between regionsand within them, revealing the state of the current situation for each of the six dimensions:Water, Energy, Telecommunications, Roads, Logistics, and Resilience, as well as for theirsynthetic indicator ISIT. The results of the ISIT have been contrasted with the recentdefinitions made by the Government of Chile regarding the definition of lag zones, findingimportant coincidences at the provincial level that allow validating the ISIT as a tool forthe analysis of gaps in infrastructure and equipment for development of economic andproductive activities in Chile.