Gestión del suelo a través de contribución especial de mejoras en proyectos urbanos del Gobierno Autónomo Descentralizado Municipal de Loja, 2016-2024

Abstract

Abstract: This paper analyzes land management instruments and, in particular, the application of the Special Contribution for Improvements (CEM) in the canton of Loja during the period 2016-2024. The research shows that, although there is a regulatory framework supporting the use of these instruments, their implementation in the municipality has been limited due to institutional weaknesses, lack of technical coordination, and limited social legitimacy. The methodology employed was exploratory, with a mixed approach that integrated documentary analysis, regulatory review, interviews, surveys, and the formation of a panel of experts. The study axes were structured into three dimensions: regulatory, institutional-financial, and urban-social. The results reveal gaps in local regulations, insufficient citizen participation, deficiencies in the planning of the various municipal departments, and weak coordination with urban plans aimed at a safe and sustainable habitat. These limitations have reduced the expected impact of the CEM as a financing mechanism for urban development. Finally, the study provides guidelines aimed at strengthening transparency, citizen participation, and efficiency in urban management in Loja, constituting a replicable proposal for other municipalities in Ecuador.