Desarrollo Endógeno con Enfoque territorial: Un Modelo para la Sostenibilidad y la Inclusión

Endogenous development with a territorial approach emerges as a key strategy to foster sustainable and inclusive growth in diverse regions. This model emphasizes the use of local resources, active community participation, and the integration of public policies that strengthen the internal capacities of territories. Through a theoretical review and case studies, the article highlights that territorial public administrations are founded on three essential elements: territory, purpose, and autonomy. Without these, territorial autonomy cannot be genuinely exercised, as entities require their own territory and political independence including the power to legislate within constitutional limits in order to fulfill their objectives. A community is essentially composed of a certain number of families who own the houses and land that define it, reflecting the associational conception of local communities rooted in the Middle Ages. This “natural” reality of the people translates into a “political administration” related to the territory, establishing the fundamental principle of local autonomy as self-governance by those who live in the area. This municipal associational perspective is based on principles of social inclusion, addressing specific local needs, and solving common problems affecting both rich and poor. This justifies municipal and territorial associations aimed at resolving shared issues of common interest. This article analyzes the main components of endogenous territorial development and its impact on economic, social, and environmental sustainability at the municipal level, emphasizing the importance of municipal autonomy in the development and growth of regions.