One of the most profound challenges to territorial development is the necessity of interpreting local contexts with an eye to the differences and diversities that exist among communities, territories and regions. We understand that each territory is charting a unique development path due to that region’s specific makeup in terms of people, conditions, processes, resources and variables.
Our approach to territorial development is framed by the principles of sustainability, inclusiveness and a “territorial approach” (enfoque territorial ). We propose models that harmonize an approach to the territory along two fronts:

a) Land use planning: Land management, how its used, its spatial distribution, geographic and physical characteristics, and how people and social groups who live on the land relate to the territory

b) Sustainable development: Territory’s potential for sustainable development (along economic, social, environmental, political and cultural dimensions), to generate improved quality of life for its inhabitants

By analyzing information and applying tools, we draw up maps and territorial logbooks based on: (i) the current situation, (ii) strengths and limitations, (iii) expectations and aspirations of those stakeholders who live in the territory and play a role in its development.

Incorporating the territorial dimension into sectorial and population analyses
We understand “the territory” as an additional actor that must be interpreted and consulted during development processes. Paying attention to this fundamental dimension enables us to recognize differences that can be transformed into pathways and specific visions for each territory.

Methodologies designed by Bitácora & Territorio are three-dimensional and allow for population, economic and territorial aspects of what happens in the territory to be integrated into one comprehensive picture.

Our tools are designed to undertake systematic assessments of the territories, analyzing different dynamics and interrelationships among actors along various subsystems: (i) economic geography, (ii) political economy, (iii) socio-ecological, (iv) socio-cultural, (v) sustainable development (balance across economic, social and environmental dimensions).
With this starting point, we help clients identify, structure and evaluate different scenarios and solutions to develop populations and territories.

Scenario analyses allow decision makers and territorial stakeholders to project costs and benefits as they engage in the process of choosing a development model. In supporting this kind of action, we foster the construction of regional agendas and methodologies for public and private territorial planning actions and investments.

Inclusive participation is the basis for building collective visions and is a key component of territorial governance models based on collaboration between actors. We seek to support communities and public and private actors to discover and map out their goals and aspirations in a collective fashion.

We focus on processes and ways that encourage people to find common ground, and, through participatory methodologies, reach a place where they are willing to place joint wagers with the potential to pay off in shared value for society as a whole.

Participatory processes allow for trust to grow and for mutual understandings and differences to emerge among public, private and community stakeholders. They also facilitate consensus building and identification of common interests and collaborative arrangements. Finally, venues that allow for multiple voices to be heard encourage the construction of shared value, where linkages between financial gains, social benefits, and territorial development can be take place.

Community relations play a fundamental role in the success and sustainability of development initiatives. Drawing on “people-centered design,” we look to community wisdom and prioritize local knowledge to find creative solutions and build models that can be taken to scale.

Recognizing communities as active subjects of their own development and involving them in development processes and public and private initiatives and investment projects does not only protect against these initiatives’ failure, it also maximizes their impact and ensures sustainability over time.