Abstract

The areas in which employment develops in cities and its evolution over time diverge according to the territorial system in which it is circumscribed. This study analyzed the employment trajectories of cities in the southern macrozone of Chile, linking them to their population growth dynamics. It discusses in which sectors and at what rate this transformation is occurring in cities. It is concluded that, although there are booming cities in terms of population growth dynamics compared to others, transitions in sector specializations within the economy tend to co-evolve, even when considering subnational scales, where non-exportable service employment for some cities linked to primary activities does not differ from what is observed in other urban areas. This coevolution process is triggered towards low value-added service areas, detached from innovation and development activities, thereby questioning an urban development model that does not promote knowledge-based advanced services.