Riots and Subways: a Relationship Moderated by the Neighborhood’s Income Level

Social disturbances due to socioeconomic and political factors were present in the media during 2019, including places like France, Hong Kong, Chile, Nigeria, Sudan, Haiti, and Lebanon. In October 2019, Chile saw massive demonstrations in the capital city of Santiago. As a result, the cost of damage to infrastructure during the first month of unrest is estimated at US$ 4.6 billion, and the cost to the Chilean economy was about US$ 3 billion, 1.1% of its Gross Domestic Product. This study aims to analyze how the topology of the public transport network affected the locations of the 2019 riots in Santiago. On average, we find a clear association between proximity to the subway network and riot density. This association is significant only in neighborhoods with residents in the highest and lowest income quartiles. When analyzing social unrest and the critical role of public transport, policymakers should consider the crucial role of income in the previous relationship.