Elementos de representación social de las comunidades locales en la vereda La Barrialosa, Mesetas (Colombia), y su influencia en el modelo de ocupación del territorio.

Abstract

The objective of this research is to analyze the elements of social representation that influence the occupation of the land by the inhabitants of La Barrialosa in the municipality of Mesetas (Colombia). An analysis is made of the economic and cultural factors that influence the participation of local communities in the adjustment of planning, management, and land use instruments. Within the methodological postulates, it is highlighted that dense description is a methodological approach used mainly in anthropology and social sciences to examine the cultural practices of a society. As a first step, the problem of the occupation of the territory in Colombia is presented and the importance of studying the participation of local communities in this process as a base context that introduces the reality of the territory of Metense. Through detailed research, it seeks to understand the mechanisms by which these elements of social representation contribute to modifying the current occupation model in La Barrialosa, an area marked by its history of armed conflict and its socioeconomic and environmental challenges. In the first elements, the importance of identifying the environmental planning and management instruments that reflect the territorial occupation model of La Barrialosa is addressed. This involves a detailed analysis of the environmental determinants that form the basis for the sustainable development of the region. Existing land use plans, regulatory frameworks, and public policies are examined, assessing how these instruments integrate or ignore the social and cultural dynamics of the community. It highlights the relevance of including local communities in planning processes, recognizing their traditional knowledge and cultural practices as essential elements for the sustainable management of natural resources and the conservation of the environment. In a second section, the elements of social representation and cultural appropriation of the territory are focused, exploring how the perceptions, values and practices of the La Barrialosa community are intertwined with environmental and socioeconomic factors. Through citizen participation and social mapping exercises, the complex relationships that the community establishes with its environment are revealed, identifying places of cultural importance, areas of conflict and priority conservation spaces. This analysis allows us to better understand the dynamics of land occupation and the challenges faced by the community in its relationship with the environment and socio-economic development. Finally, the articulation of planning, management and land use instruments in the context of Decree 1232 of 2020 is analyzed, with a particular focus on communities affected by the armed conflict. It examines how these instruments can be adjusted or reformulated to effectively incorporate the needs and expectations of local communities, promoting territorial management that favours peace, reconciliation and sustainable development. It is argued that the participation of communities in the processes In the conclusions section, a series of recommendations are made to improve the participation of local communities in territorial planning, including the promotion of education and intercultural dialogue, as well as the implementation of public policies that encourage citizen participation in this area.