ABSTRACT

Land-use planning has become a fundamental strategy for guiding sustainable local development, especially in rural areas facing structural, economic, and institutional limitations. In this context, this article aimed to analyze land-use planning as a strategy for strengthening local development in the Chanduy parish, Santa Elena province. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, with a qualitative component and quantitative support, using techniques such as surveys, semi-structured interviews, and document review. The study population consisted of residents of the Chanduy parish, from whom a probabilistic sample of 377 respondents was selected. The results show that territorial planning, environmental management, citizen participation, local economic development, infrastructure, and territorial governance significantly influence the strengthening of local development. However, persistent problems were identified, such as the gap between planning and implementation, territorial inequality in service provision, limited inter-institutional coordination, and still weak citizen participation. Based on these findings, the Integrated Model of Territorial Planning Management for Local Development (MIGOT 2026) is proposed as a conceptual contribution of our own authorship that systematically articulates the territorial, social, economic and environmental dimensions.

RESUMEN

La gestión del ordenamiento ha logrado consolidarse como una estrategia esencial para direccionar el desarrollo local sostenible, particularmente en territorios rurales con características desventajosas estructurales, económicas e institucionales. En este sentido, el presente artículo tiene como objetivo el análisis de la gestión del ordenamiento territorial como una estrategia para el fortalecimiento del desarrollo local en la parroquia Chanduy, de la provincia de Santa Elena. La investigación se llevó a cabo bajo un enfoque mixto, con un desarrollo cualitativo preponderante y un soporte cuantitativo combinado, apoyado por técnicas investigativas como la encuesta, la entrevista semiestructurada y la revisión documental. La población de estudio estuvo conformada por la totalidad de habitantes de la parroquia Chanduy, aunque seleccionando una muestra probabilística de 377 encuestados. Se evidenció que la planificación territorial, la gestión ambiental, la participación ciudadana, el desarrollo económico local, la infraestructura y la gobernanza territorial influyen de forma significativa en el fortalecimiento del desarrollo local. Sin embargo, se identificaron retos persistentes como la brecha planificación – ejecución, la desigualdad territorial en la provisión de servicios, la limitada articulación interinstitucional y de la participación ciudadana con fuertes déficits de vinculación. Desde el análisis de los resultados, se propone el Modelo Integrado de Gestión del Ordenamiento Territorial para el Desarrollo Local MIGOT 2026 como aporte conceptual propio que articula de manera sistémica las dimensiones territoriales, sociales, económicas y ambientales.

Keywords / Palabras clave

Local development, Territorial governance, Land use planning, Territorial planning, Territorial sustainability.

Desarrollo local, Gobernanza territorial, Ordenamiento territorial, Planificación territorial, Sostenibilidad territorial.

Introduction

According to Guzmán et al. (2021), land use planning has become established in recent decades as a key strategy for guiding sustainable local development, particularly in rural areas facing structural, economic, and social constraints. Disjointed territorial growth and pressure on natural resources in Latin America have demonstrated the need for land-use planning instruments that regulate land use in order to promote more equitable and inclusive territorial development.

In Ecuador, land use planning is regulated by the Land Use and Development Plans (PDOT), which serve as the main technical and political instrument for guiding the decision-making of decentralized autonomous governments. Their function is to coordinate the economic, social, and environmental development of the territory to ensure the sustainability and well-being of the population. However, several studies agree that the effectiveness of the PDOT lies in institutional management capacity and the level of participation of local actors.

Local development, understood as an endogenous process that draws on the capacities, resources, and potential of the territory—in other words, efficient territorial management to reduce inequalities and promote social cohesion—can be addressed from this approach. In other words, land use planning is not limited to the planning and development of land resources; it is a governance charter that influences the quality of life of the population and the livelihood of local production.

The parish of Chanduy is located in the province of Santa Elena and has a territorial dynamic typical of Ecuador's rural coastal areas. Its economy is based on artisanal fishing, subsistence agricultural production, and emerging tourism. However, these activities are affected by the lack of equitable basic service infrastructure and insufficiently coordinated territorial planning, limiting the sustainability potential of local development (Segura, et al., 2022).

Despite the existence of an active PDOT, the Chanduy parish has faced challenges related to poor inter-institutional links, technical limitations, and a lack of citizen participation in planning processes, which has ultimately influenced the implementation of territorial strategies. It is evident that the disconnect between planning and implementation has created a gap between what was planned and what was actually implemented, a recurring problem in various rural areas of Ecuador.

From a strategic perspective, land use management allows for the articulation of the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of local development, guiding decision-making toward sustainable land use and the reduction of socio-environmental conflicts. In the case of rural areas such as Chanduy, this management is key to organizing population settlement, caring for fragile ecosystems, and promoting sustainable productive activities that in turn provide local employment and income.

As established by the UN (2021), the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasizes that a good land use and development plan is the basis for achieving the SDGs. In particular, these include those aimed at eradicating poverty, decent work, sustainable cities and communities, and ensuring environmental protection. Therefore, land use planning is the instrument through which public policies are territorialized, implying their articulation to the real conditions of the local area.

This analysis of land use management in the parish of Chanduy is of interest not only because of its impact on the territory itself and its people, but also because of the possibility of it becoming a replicable experience for other rural parishes in the province of Santa Elena. As established by the OECD (2020), identifying the strengths and weaknesses in territorial management allows for the generation of lessons learned that contribute to the strengthening of local public policies and improve planning processes.

In view of the above, the purpose of this article is to analyze land use management as a strategy to contribute to the strengthening of local development in the parish of Chanduy, from the perspective of its three dimensions: economic, social, and environmental. Based on this assertion, the hypothesis is that efficient and participatory land management can be a factor in accelerating or catalyzing sustainable development in rural areas.

Finally, it is hoped that this study will contribute to academic debate and subnational public management, through empirical evidence and critical reflection, for the constant improvement of land planning and management. In particular, it will alleviate the case of the Chanduy parish and, therefore, translate into inputs for sustainable local development in the province of Santa Elena with the well-being of the population.

Land use management and planning

As Segura et al. (2022) point out, land use management is a technical-political process aimed at regulating the use, occupation, and transformation of land, with the objective of ensuring the balanced development of the territory. At the current level, this approach is no longer merely regulatory but has become a strategic lever based on compliance with economic, social, and ecological conditions.

From a modern perspective, land use and territorial planning make it possible to anticipate conflicts over land occupation and control its disorderly expansion, as well as to guide and optimize the location of productive activities, buildings, and infrastructure. In the case of rural areas, it is essential to promote the non-degradation of the environment and the rational use of natural resources, in accordance with the potential uses of the territory.

According to several recent studies, territorial diagnosis, zoning, and land use control mechanisms must be combined in a comprehensive manner to ensure successful land management. The disconnect between these elements creates a gap between the idea of planning and current practice, reducing the sustainability of local development.

Therefore, territorial planning management becomes an important tool for promoting planned territorial growth, reducing territorial gaps, and improving governance capacities at the local level. This is especially true in rural areas with weak institutions.

Land use planning and sustainable local development

Sustainable local development is based on the capacity of territories to generate economic well-being, social cohesion, and environmental balance from their own resources and potential. In this sense, land use planning is a guiding principle that, based on the aspects and elements discussed in previous sections, organizes the territory according to local development objectives.

Territories with adequate land use management have higher levels of efficiency in service provision and economic performance and lower levels of environmental vulnerability. Since planning directs both public and private investment to areas with higher levels of strategies, inappropriate land use is avoided.

In certain rural contexts, the relationship between land use planning and local development is even more relevant, given the immediate dependence of productive activities on the natural environment. Often, the absence of land use planning in these areas results in structural poverty, environmental degradation, and low economic competitiveness.

Therefore, land management for sustainable local development not only orders the territory, but also formally regulates the promotion of inclusive disruptive productive processes, strengthens the local economy, and raises the well-being of the population in accordance with the axes of sustainability.

Land governance and citizen participation in land use planning

According to Ramírez & López (2020), territorial governance encompasses the mechanisms through which public, private, and community actors intervene in decisions relating to land use and management. In this regard, the literature has pointed out that land use planning administration is more efficient when it is based on the integration of processes that guarantee active and collaborative participation.

Citizen participation helps ensure that territorial plans are in line with the requirements of the population, which guarantees their social legitimacy and perpetuity. On the other hand, it acquires strategic value in rural contexts because, at present, it is precisely the inhabitants who have direct knowledge of the potential and problems of their territories.

However, in the case of the management of this policy, citizen participation in a consultative approach is not enough; on the contrary, participation must be understood as an exercise in shared governance. In this sense, citizen participation then becomes a true mechanism for systemic integration that promotes local development and social cohesion.

Land use planning, environmental sustainability, and risk management

Environmental sustainability is another important pillar of territorial development planning, especially in the case of territories vulnerable to natural hazards and the effects of climate change. Through the land use plan, areas are designated for protection, areas of risk, and areas suitable for sustainable productive development.

In this way, land use management aimed at environmental sustainability ensures the conservation of strategic ecosystems, reduces environmental disturbance and impact, and responds to climate change. In coastal and rural areas, such as Chanduy, this management is crucial to protect marine resources, productive soils, and biodiversity.

On the other hand, risks can also be managed by reducing the population's exposure to disasters such as floods, coastal erosion, and landslides, among others. Due to this lack of territorial planning, the levels of social and environmental vulnerability of the territories are increasing. In this regard, it is asserted that sustainable land management not only protects the environment but also increases territorial resilience and maintains safe conditions for long-term local development.

Land management tools and local public policies

First, the theoretical approach adopts Land Use and Development Plans as land management tools, which are the operational basis for local public policies, as they are responsible for translating strategic objectives into concrete actions aimed at land development. The effectiveness of the instruments adopted, however, is conditional, as they must be internally consistent, aligned with national policies, and adaptable to territorial dynamics. Without monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, territorial plans do not have the capacity to impact local development.

At the local level, technical, financial, and administrative constraints limit the capacity of governments to implement land use planning instruments. This has a greater impact on rural areas, where capacity in this regard is more limited. Therefore, strengthening land use planning management is not limited to improving planning instruments, but also involves building solid institutional capacities and integrating public policies with the realities of the territory.

Materials and Methods

This research was descriptive and analytical in nature, as it allowed for a systematic description and analysis of how land use planning is carried out and its impact on strengthening local development in the parish of Chanduy, province of Santa Elena. The descriptive scope allowed for the identification of the characteristics of territorial planning, management instruments, and institutional and social relations in the territory, while the analytical scope made it possible to examine the relationship between land use management and the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of local development. This type of research was appropriate for studying territorial phenomena in their real context without manipulating the variables and integrating conclusions based on the analysis of the data collected.

Through interviews and document review, it was possible to interpret and understand the interactions of social, administrative, and territorial dynamics with the implementation of planning instruments, which in turn made it possible to understand how this happened. On the other hand, the quantitative component served to measure the population's perceptions of land use management and its effects on the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of local development. Surveys made it possible to obtain numerical data that contributed to the qualitative analysis, promoting the detection of common trends and patterns in the population under study.

The study population was the population of the rural parish of Chanduy, in the province of Santa Elena. According to the 2022 INEC Census, this parish had a total of 20,558 inhabitants divided into 14 communes. In this regard, and considering the operational impossibility of conducting a census for the present purposes, a probabilistic sample was used to collect quantitative information. This sample guarantees statistical representativeness and the possibility of generalizing the results to the target population. In this case, the sample size was 377 surveys, using standard parameters such as 95% reliability and a 5% margin of error for social research.

Table 1.

Population of the Chanduy parish by commune

N.°	Comuna	Población
1	Olmedo	31
2	Ciénega	39
3	Sucre	70
4	Villingota	195
5	El Real	1.324
6	Puerto Chanduy	1.480
7	Cabecera Parroquial	1.558
8	Bajada de Chanduy	360
9	Manantial de Chanduy	1.869
10	Tugaduaja	1.869
11	Engunga	2.025
12	San Rafael	2.337
13	Zapotal	3.116
14	Pechiche	4.284
Total	Parroquia Chanduy	20.558

Note: The data obtained are from the 2022 INEC Census, which were systematized in the 2024 Chanduy PDOT.

The sample size obtained (n = 377) was sufficient to statistically represent the population of Chanduy (N = 20,558) with 95% confidence and a 5% margin of error, under the conservative assumption p = q = 0.5, which maximizes the expected variability and, therefore, produces a demanding and robust sample for social science studies. Therefore, the use of 377 surveys strengthened the reliability of the diagnosis of land use management and its relationship with local development, avoiding biases derived from insufficient sample size and maintaining operational viability in the field.

Results

Land use planning in the parish of Chanduy

Land use planning is the structural backbone of land management, as it is based on land use, the location of productive activities, and infrastructure facilities, thereby achieving balanced territorial development. Therefore, for rural parishes such as Chanduy, it is essential to reduce informality, avoid land use conflicts, and establish appropriate land mechanisms.

Analysis of the results shown in the graph shows that 62% of respondents perceived a high level of territorial planning, followed by 28% who rated it as average and 10% as low. This distribution shows that, although there is a mostly positive perception, there are still sectors of the population that do not fully identify the effects of territorial planning in their environment.

One of the problems identified is the gap between planning and execution, since the existence of instruments such as the PDOT does not always translate into visible actions throughout the territory. This situation mainly affects peripheral communities where planning is not perceived as a continuous process. Another relevant problem is the limited capacity to control and monitor land use, which generates informal practices and unregulated occupations that weaken the effectiveness of territorial planning.

Territorial planning in the Chanduy parish is a fundamental component of territorial planning, but its effectiveness depends on management that guarantees the execution, control, and monitoring of planned actions. The largely positive perception of the population shows institutional progress; however, the gaps identified between planning and practice reveal the need to strengthen territorial management capacity.

Citizen participation in territorial management

Citizen participation is an essential component of land use management, as it legitimizes public decision-making and strengthens local governance. In rural areas such as the parish of Chanduy, participation takes on strategic value by incorporating community knowledge about land use, productive activities, and social issues in the territory. Effective participation facilitates shared responsibility between citizens and institutions, ensuring that territorial policies respond more accurately to the real needs of the population. For this reason, citizen participation is a fundamental aspect of the sustainability of territorial planning processes.

Analysis of the results shown in the graph indicates that 48% of respondents perceive the citizen participation index as high, 34% as medium, and 18% as low. This distribution of indices suggests that, although the Chanduy parish has formal spaces for participation, not all of them function uniformly throughout the territory. The majority of high and medium indices suggest progress has been made in opening up participatory mechanisms; however, a considerable number of low indices show that not everyone can be involved in the process. It is therefore necessary to improve the quality of and access to management for all citizens.

Citizen participation should not be conceived solely as a formal requirement, but as a strategic axis of territorial planning management. Based on this result, there is a need to move towards participatory land management, in which citizens actively participate in the formulation, monitoring, and evaluation of land policies. This approach contributes to strengthening local development by promoting more inclusive, legitimate, and sustainable planning processes, aligned with the dynamics and real needs of the Chanduy parish.

Environmental management is another key pillar of land use planning, given that Chanduy is a rural and coastal parish whose viability depends on the sustainability of natural resources, which are the source of productive activity and human development. In this sense, land use planning contributes to guiding territorial planning towards achieving adequate levels of sustainability, in which environmental criteria are incorporated into public decision-making regarding land use, the management of critical ecosystems, and the prevention of negative environmental impacts.

Analysis of the results presented in the graph showed that 55% of respondents considered environmental management to be high, while 30% rated it as average and 15% rated it as low. This distribution translates into progress in environmental action derived from territorial planning, such as the protection of sensitive areas and the promotion of more sustainable knowledge and practices. However, the presence of average and low perceptions suggests that these advances are not uniform and fully visible to the entire population. From this perspective and in this sense, it could be argued that, in short, environmental action is present, but it would need greater territoriality and a continuous period of time to consolidate. One of the problems is the lack of continuity in environmental actions, which are carried out within the framework of specific projects or initiatives, but not on the basis of a unified territorial strategy. As a result, environmental policy is less consistent and less sustainable.

Land use management must be considered from a cross-cutting approach to the environmental dimension, going beyond sectoral or isolated approaches. Through this finding, land use planning becomes a fundamental tool for environmental sustainability and long-term local development, subject to the strengthening of institutional capacity and the consolidation of a comprehensive environmental strategy. In this sense, the study contributes to the establishment of environmental management as a strategic axis within the framework of sustainable territorial development in the parish of Chanduy.

Local economic development

Local economic development is closely linked to land use planning, insofar as land use planning allows for the organization of productive activities, the optimization of available resources, and the creation of favorable conditions for local employment and investment. In rural areas such as the Chanduy parish, land use planning plays a strategic role in guiding the location of traditional economic activities, such as artisanal fishing and trade, as well as new productive opportunities.

Analysis of the results shown in the graph shows that 50% of respondents perceived a high impact of land use planning on local economic development, while 32% rated it as medium and 18% as low. These data show that land use planning has a positive impact on the local economy, although this impact is not uniform across the territory. The majority perception of a high impact suggests that territorial planning has contributed to improving certain productive conditions.

One of the main problems identified is the unequal distribution of economic benefits, as some municipalities have greater productive opportunities and access to infrastructure, while others lag behind. This situation creates territorial asymmetries that limit balanced economic development and reinforce dynamics of economic exclusion.

When managed strategically and comprehensively, territorial planning can become an engine of local economic development. Based on this result, there is a need to articulate territorial planning with inclusive productive policies that allow for the equitable distribution of economic benefits throughout the territory.

Infrastructure and basic services

One of the determining factors of local development is infrastructure and basic services, as they are directly related to the quality of life of the population, access to opportunities, and territorial competitiveness.

In the case of the Chanduy parish, services such as drinking water, sanitation, roads, and community facilities are essential for reducing social and territorial gaps. Given the characteristics of territorial planning, taking into account needs, uses, and potential, it plays a strategic role in enabling investment in certain locations and allowing certain areas to receive more action than others.

The results obtained in the graph reveal that 46% of respondents considered that they had experienced high improvements in infrastructure and basic services, while 36% highlighted a medium level of improvement and 18% low improvements. The difference in these percentages implies that there have indeed been significant improvements in terms of territorial planning, although these have not been uniform throughout the territory. Thus, given that the majority of respondents saw significant improvements, certain additions to the infrastructure or interventions implemented have been successful in appearance.

The main problem is territorial inequality in the provision of infrastructure and basic services, especially for populations in rural areas on the outskirts of the parish. It should be noted that it is precisely these areas that are most backward in terms of coverage and quality of basic services and, therefore, in terms of unequal access to decent living conditions. Good territorial planning opens up the possibility of prioritizing investment in infrastructure and basic services according to territorial criteria for local development. Infrastructure is not an aspect to be considered, but rather a component of a comprehensive territorial planning strategy to reduce inequalities and raise the standard of living of the population of Chanduy.

Territorial governance

Territorial governance is the component that articulates territorial planning, as it facilitates the coordination of public, community, and private actors and the administration of resources and decisions oriented toward local development. In the parish of Chanduy, consolidated governance is important to ensure that planning instruments do not remain in the regulatory sphere, but are translated into action in the territory. Territorial governance involves processes of leadership, inter-system coordination, citizen participation, and accountability, making it a cross-cutting local development issue.

Analysis of the results shown in the graph reveals that 52% of those surveyed consider the level of governance to be high, 30% rate it as average, and 18% as low. On the one hand, this distribution shows that progress has been made in institutional management and the coordination of actions in the territory, which is perceived positively by the majority of the population. However, the presence of average or low perceptions shows that the consolidation of this aspect is not homogeneous, much less complete. In other words, the existence of low and average perceptions may be due to the presence of structural weaknesses that limit the effectiveness of territorial governance.

One of the main problems identified is limited inter-institutional coordination, which hinders the efficient implementation of land use planning. The lack of coordination between levels of government and between institutions with territorial competences leads to duplication of actions, delays in project implementation, and inefficient use of public resources. Territorial governance is a determining factor in ensuring that land use planning functions as an effective strategy for strengthening local development.

Based on this result, it is clear that strengthening inter-institutional coordination and accountability mechanisms makes it possible to consolidate more efficient, transparent, and participatory territorial management.

Design of an Integrated Land Use Management Model for Local Development in the Chanduy Parish of the Province of Santa Elena

MIGOT 2026 is a proprietary model, named after its acronym, Integrated Model for Land Use Management for Local Development in the Parish of Chanduy, developed in 2026, which focuses on improving the interaction between land use planning, citizen participation, environmental management, economic development, infrastructure, and governance. It introduces a systemic structure that goes beyond sectoral approaches, integrating key dimensions under a strategic land management logic.

The model presents an alternative that responds to problems identified in the research, such as the gap between planning and execution, weak inter-institutional coordination, territorial inequality, and limited effective citizen participation, proposing itself as a concept that contributes to the strengthening of local management. MIGOT-2026 maintains that local development is not the sole product of territorial planning, but rather the dynamic interaction between territorial, social, economic, environmental, and institutional dimensions.

The following is a description of the components of the Integrated Land Use Management Model (MIGOT 2026):

Strategic territorial planning: Structurally, the model is based on strategic territorial planning, which establishes the management of land use, occupation, and transformation based on criteria of sustainability, equity, and efficiency. It is through this component that territorial growth is guided, land use conflicts are avoided, and public investment is coherently prioritized according to territorial possibilities and vocations.

Sustainable environmental management: The central component of environmental sustainability in the model is environmental protection, which is especially relevant for rural and coastal territories such as Chanduy, where natural resources determine economic and social development. This component establishes territorial criteria for decision-making in the environmental sphere, bringing together ecosystem conservation, risk mitigation, and adaptation to climate change.

Local economic development: Local economic development, identified in the MIGOT 2026 model as the productive component, aims to enhance the economic capacities of the territory in an inclusive and equitable manner. This axis is based on the recognition that land use planning has economic potential when it guides the location of productive activities and takes advantage of local employment and territorial vocations.

Infrastructure and basic services: On the other hand, infrastructure and basic services are the operational component of the model, given the concrete improvements in people's quality of life, where local development is expressed. The aim is to ensure an equitable and sustainable allocation of services to the entire population, especially drinking water and sanitation, roads, and community facilities, based on the most significant territorial needs.

Citizen participation and social cohesion: Within the model, citizen participation and social cohesion constitute the social component, which gives legitimacy and sustainability to land use management. This component is therefore established as one that promotes the active inclusion of citizens in the processes of planning, monitoring, and evaluation of land use policies.

Land governance: Land governance is the cross-cutting theme of the MIGOT 2026 model, as it links all the components and determines their effectiveness. It is based on inter-institutional coordination, technical and administrative capacity, transparency, and land leadership.

The results obtained show that land management is a key factor in strengthening local development in the parish of Chanduy. However, this is more true when viewed holistically. Given the generally positive perception of residents regarding territorial planning, environmental management, and governance practices, it can be confirmed that planning instruments, including the PDOT, created a structural basis on which local development was built. These observations coincide with the contributions of Farinós (2021), who argues that successful territorial development brings together territorial, social, and economic dimensions, overcoming a sectoral and legislative vision.

However, the results also show persistent inequalities between being and doing, as well as territorial disparities in terms of infrastructure, basic services, and economic opportunities. These findings are consistent with previous research arguing that in rural settings, institutional weakness and public spending constraints limit the ability of territorial plans to be implemented and have a significant impact on local development. In the case of Chanduy, the moderate to low rating in several components suggests that territorial planning alone is not sufficient to guarantee results if it is not accompanied by effective monitoring, control, and evaluation mechanisms.

Likewise, citizen participation emerges as a key element, but one that is still insufficiently consolidated. Although participatory spaces are recognized, they do not always have a real impact on decision-making, which limits social ownership of territorial planning. This result is consistent with the findings of Hernández and Alvarado (2020), who emphasize that effective citizen participation is an indispensable requirement for legitimizing territorial policies and strengthening local governance.

Citizen participation is also among the key results, although it is underrepresented. While spaces that support participation are identified, they generally do not directly affect decision-making, which can particularly interfere with social empowerment with respect to land use planning. On the other hand, Hernández & Alvarado (2020) describe that without effective participation, it is impossible to legitimize territorial policy and promote governance. If citizens do not have options to influence decisions in practice, territorial policy would be unpopular.

Finally, the discussion of the results allows us to affirm that territorial governance is a cross-cutting issue that conditions the effectiveness of territorial planning as a local development strategy. The limited inter-institutional coordination and insufficient accountability identified in this research confirm the OECD's (2020) findings that weak governance reduces the capacity of territories to coordinate actors and resources efficiently.

Conclusions

Land use management is a key strategy for promoting local development in the parish of Chanduy, provided that it is approached in a comprehensive manner and not exclusively from a regulatory perspective. The results show that land use planning, when integrated with environmental management, citizen participation, infrastructure, and economic development, creates the right conditions for improving the quality of life of the population and reducing territorial inequalities.

Despite the progress made in land use planning and local governance, gaps between planning and implementation remain, and inequality in access to infrastructure, basic services, and economic opportunities persists. These limitations are mainly related to weaknesses in institutional capacity, budgetary constraints, and a lack of inter-institutional coordination. Therefore, strengthening territorial management requires not only improving planning instruments, but also consolidating effective monitoring, control, and evaluation mechanisms to ensure that plans are implemented.

Citizen participation remains insufficiently consolidated in terms of the effectiveness of territorial planning and local development. Although the Chanduy parish promotes the development of spaces for citizen participation, these do not have a real impact on decision-making, which limits social ownership of planning instruments. In this context, it can be concluded that strengthening binding citizen participation mechanisms is essential for the legitimacy of territorial policies and the promotion of more reliable and inclusive local governance.

The MIGOT 2026 model establishes a conceptual framework that articulates strategic territorial planning, sustainable environmental management, local economic development, infrastructure, citizen participation, and territorial governance, constituting an effective strategy for local development. Likewise, the model is presented as an operational tool for decision-making in rural local governments, with the capacity to be applied in territories that share similar territorial and socio-institutional conditions.

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