Manual for Regulatory Plans as a Territorial Zoning Tool (MAPRIOT)Manual de planes reguladores como instrumento de ordenamiento territorial

"Article 19.- Each Municipality shall issue and promulgate the necessary procedural rules for the due observance of the Plan Regulador and for the protection of the interests of the health, safety, comfort, and well-being of the community." Related to the duty assigned to municipalities to prepare their Planes Reguladores, Transitorio II of the Ley de Planificación Urbana mandates INVU to issue a regulation of national scope for its supplementary application, thereby foreseeing to remedy any possible legal vacuum; additionally, the same Transitorio enables the Institute to prepare the Planes Reguladores.

"Transitorio II. The Institute shall dictate the development norms related to the matters referred to in Article 21 of this law.

It may also prepare the Planes Reguladores and delimit the urban districts and other areas subject to urban control, as long as the municipalities have not promulgated their own local provisions in the respective matter, or part thereof, in accordance with this law.

The precepts and regulations issued by the Institute shall govern in the jurisdictional territories or in the part thereof that the norms indicate, from their publication in the Diario Oficial." The foregoing is closely related to the task assigned to INVU by subsection 3) of Article 7 of the Law in question, to advise and provide assistance to municipalities and other competent State entities in urban planning.

Also within the legal framework, the Ley de Planificación Nacional, Ley N.°5525, was instituted in May 1974, establishing a Sistema Nacional de Planificación and its respective functions, among which is to carry out planning from a regional and urban approach.

"Article 2º.- To achieve its objectives, the Sistema Nacional de Planificación shall perform the following functions:

a. To carry out continuous work of studies, inventories, technical analyses, and publications on the behavior and perspectives of the economy, income distribution, the country's social evolution, and other fields of planning, such as regional and urban development, human resources, improvement of public administration, and natural resources. (.)." On the other hand, the Ley Orgánica del Ambiente, Ley N.°7554 of November 13, 1995, introduces the concept of territorial planning into national legislation through Chapter VI, stipulating criteria that the State, municipalities, and other public entities must follow, in order to achieve harmony among the greater well-being of the population, the use of natural resources, and the conservation of the environment; through the regulation and promotion of human settlements, the economic and social activities of the population, as well as physical-spatial development.

Similarly, said normative body links territorial planning management to the principles of sustainable development, the promotion of intensive use of urban areas, inter-institutional coordination, as well as citizen integration and participation in the processes of elaboration and application of territorial planning instruments.

"Article 29.- Purposes. For territorial planning in matters of sustainable development, the following purposes shall be considered:

• a)To optimally locate, within the national territory, productive activities, human settlements, public and recreational use zones, communication and transportation networks, wilderness areas, and other vital infrastructure works, such as energy units and irrigation and drainage districts.
• b)To serve as a guide for the sustainable use of the elements of the environment.
• c)To balance the sustainable development of the different zones of the country.
• d)To promote the active participation of the inhabitants and organized society in the elaboration and application of territorial planning plans and in the plan reguladores of the cities, to achieve the sustainable use of natural resources." "Article 31.- Urban development. For the provisions of Article 29 above, the development and reordering of cities shall be promoted, through the intensive use of urban space, in order to free and conserve resources for other uses or for future residential expansion." Another relevant regulation related to local planning instruments is the Reglamento General del Sistema Nacional de Planificación, Decreto Ejecutivo N.°37735-PLAN of June 26, 2013, which, under the Ley de Planificación Nacional, specifies in its Article 59 the planning instruments at the regional level, including the Planes Reguladores of Territorial Planning, whose purpose is to plan the territory on a regional scale and reduce territorial imbalances; it reaffirms the task of INVU's Urban Planning Directorate given in the Ley de Planificación Urbana, by designating it as one of the entities that make up the Regional Planning Subsystem.

"Article 59.- Regional planning instruments. The regional planning instruments shall be the following:

• a)The PRD.
• b)The cantonal development plans.
• c)The Planes Reguladores of Territorial Planning applied in the regions, as subnational and supra-cantonal instruments.
• d)The technical guidelines for regional and rural planning.
• e)The Regional Indicators System.
• f)The Annual Regional Development Follow-up Reports, including the regional sectoral dimension.
• g)Other regional, cantonal, or local planning instruments." In turn, based on the Ley Orgánica del Ambiente and rulings of the Sala Constitucional Voto N.°1220-2002 of February 6, 2002, and Voto N.°11562-2006 of August 9, 2006, the environmental variable requirement is introduced in every Plan Regulador through a technical, guiding, and effective procedure, derived from Constitutional Article 50, which seeks the well-being of the people living in the country and their right to a healthy and ecologically balanced environment; moreover, Voto N.°3907-2006 of March 24, 2006, also from the Sala Constitucional, determines that the verification and evaluation of the incorporation of the environmental variable in ongoing and future Planes Reguladores is the responsibility of the Secretaría Técnica Nacional Ambiental (SETENA), the entity that will define the necessary studies for such purposes.

Related to the complexity of the process of incorporating and reviewing the environmental variable, and given what was stated by the Contraloría General de la República in Report N.ºDFOE-AE-IF-00008-2017, the Reglamento para la Incorporación de la Variable Ambiental en Planes de Ordenamiento Territorial, Decreto Ejecutivo N.°44710-MINAE, is issued, regulating technical and procedural aspects for the incorporation of the environmental variable in the proposed Planes Reguladores, through two possible methodologies to carry out the Studies for the Incorporation of the Environmental Variable in the Territorial Planning Plan (Estudios de la Incorporación de la Variable Ambiental en el Plan de Ordenamiento Territorial).

Although Decreto Ejecutivo N.°44710-MINAE renders previously enacted regulations without effect, such as the Reglamento de la Transición para la Revisión y Aprobación de Planes Reguladores, Decreto Ejecutivo N.°39150-MINAE-MAG-MIVAH-PLAN-TU, the Manual de Instrumentos Técnicos para el Proceso de Evaluación del Impacto Ambiental (Manual de EIA)-Part III, Decreto Ejecutivo N.°32967-MINAE, and the Especificaciones para cartografía de la variable ambiental en planes de ordenamiento territorial, Decreto Ejecutivo 42696-MINAE; it determines through transitory provisions the guidelines and deadlines applicable to those cases that have entered or initiated procedures under the techniques established therein.

In the same matter, the Reglamento de Coordinación Interinstitucional para la Protección de los Recursos Hídricos Subterráneos, Decreto Ejecutivo N.°42015-MAG-MINAE-SMIVAH, remains in force, involving various ministries, institutions, and local governments, with the objective of protecting the water resource through a balance with sustainable development, under the stewardship of the Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía (MINAE). The Regulation assigns specific functions to each of the institutions participating in water resource management, and regarding Planes Reguladores, it insists on the need to include the environmental variable, having as one of its elements the hydrogeological component, whose approval rests with SETENA, said resolution being the requirement to be presented to INVU for the review process of a proposed Plan Regulador. The foregoing applies to all municipalities except for the cantons of Santa Bárbara, San Isidro, San Rafael, and Vásquez de Coronado, in which case the maps made official by SENARA must be used, according to the Reforma al Reglamento de la transición para la revisión y aprobación de Planes Reguladores N.°42562-MINAEMAG-TUR-PLAN-MIVAH.

There are also other regulations that influence urban planning and territorial planning, among which are the Ley de Aguas N.°267, Ley de Biodiversidad N.°7788, Ley de Construcciones N.°833, Ley General de Caminos Públicos N.°5060, Ley sobre Patrimonio Arqueológico N.°6703, Ley General de Aviación Civil N.°5150, Ley sobre la Zona Marítimo Terrestre N.°6043, Ley de Catastro Nacional N.°6545, Código de Minería Ley N.°6797, Ley sobre Patrimonio Histórico Arquitectónico de Costa Rica N.°7555, Ley Forestal N.°7575, Ley de Igualdad de Oportunidades para personas con discapacidad N.°7600, Ley de Uso, Manejo y Conservación de Suelos N.°7779, Código Municipal N.°7794, Ley Reguladora de la Propiedad en Condominio N.°7933, Ley de Protección al Ciudadano del Exceso de Requisitos y Trámites Administrativos N.°8220, Ley Nacional de Emergencias y Prevención del Riesgo N.°8488, Ley Marco para la Declaratoria de Zona Urbana Litoral y su Régimen de Uso y Aprovechamiento Territorial N.°9221.

Also the Metodología Determinación Capacidad Uso de Tierras en Costa Rica, Decreto Ejecutivo N.°23214-MAG-MIRENEM, the Reglamento a la Ley de Uso, Manejo y Conservación de Suelos N.°29375-MAG-MINAE-S-HACIENDA-MOPT, the Reglamento al Otorgamiento de Concesiones en Franjas Fronterizas, Decreto Ejecutivo N.º39688-MAG, the Reglamento General del Registro Inmobiliario, approved through Decreto Ejecutivo N.°44647-MJP, the Política Nacional del Hábitat y Creación del Sistema Nacional del Hábitat, Decreto Ejecutivo N.°43467--MP-MIVAH-MINAE-PLAN-MOPT, the Creación del Sistema Nacional de Información Territorial, Decreto Ejecutivo N.°37773-JP-H-MINAE-MICITT, the Reglamento para definir caminos públicos, su clasificación y codificación, approved through Decreto Ejecutivo N.°44263-MOPT. Similarly, there are the current Reglamentos de Desarrollo Urbano of national scope, issued by INVU: the Reglamento de Fraccionamiento y Urbanizaciones, the Reglamento de Construcciones, and the Reglamento de Renovación Urbana; and the Reglamento de Zonas Industriales de la Gran Área Metropolitana.

In addition, as part of the country's commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development, key international instruments have been ratified, such as the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention, 1971) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD, 1992), which impose clear obligations regarding the conservation, rational use, and integrated management of ecosystems, particularly wetlands.

These obligations are integrated into the national legal system through policies and plans such as the National Wetlands Program (Programa Nacional de Humedales, Decreto Ejecutivo N.º 36427-MINAET), which establishes technical and strategic guidelines for the protection and management of these ecosystems within spatial planning processes. Within this framework, regulatory plans must incorporate conservation criteria, ecological connectivity, and valuation of ecosystem services in coherence with these international commitments, thus ensuring spatial planning that promotes environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and respect for biodiversity. Additionally, it is also considered imperative to highlight case law that has been generated on the matter through rulings of the Constitutional Chamber (Sala Constitucional): N.°4205-1996, August 20, 1996: Powers in urban planning "XIV. OF THE COMPETENT BODIES TO CARRY OUT URBAN PLANNING: MINISTRY OF NATIONAL PLANNING AND ECONOMIC POLICY, INVU AND MUNICIPALITIES.

In accordance with the provisions of Articles 169 and 170 of the Political Constitution, the Urban Planning Law, number 4240, of November fifteen, nineteen sixty-eight, is based on the assumption that primary ownership in matters of urban planning corresponds to the municipalities, which has been enshrined in Articles 15 and 19 of said law. Thus, it is the municipalities that are responsible for undertaking local urban planning through the promulgation of the respective regulations-regulatory plans-, and enforcing the regulations issued for this purpose by the Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo, as the institution responsible for urban planning at the national level (.)." N.°5445-1999, July 14, 1999: Municipal autonomy "The autonomy is exercised within the framework of the state legal system: According to the Political Constitution, sovereignty resides exclusively in the Nation, it cannot be considered diluted in each of the municipal corporations, as the thesis of full political autonomy claims.

The principles of State unity and state sovereignty thus constitute a negative limit that necessarily circumscribes the sphere within which local autonomy can develop." N.°1220-2002, February 6, 2002: Environmental study requirement in regulatory plans "On the contrary, the Chamber considers that it must be a fundamental requirement, which obviously does not violate the constitutional principle of municipal autonomy, that every urban development regulatory plan must have, prior to being approved and developed, an environmental impact assessment from the perspective provided by constitutional Article 50, so that land-use planning and its various regimes are compatible with the scope of the higher norm, especially considering that this provision establishes the right of all inhabitants to obtain an environmental response from all public authorities, and this undoubtedly includes the Municipalities, which are not exempt from the application of the constitutional norm and its implementing legislation." N.°9927-2004, September 3, 2004: SETENA's competence "In accordance with Article 17 of the Organic Environmental Law, number 7554, of September eighteen, nineteen ninety-five, activities that require an environmental impact study approved by SETENA are those human activities that alter or destroy elements of the environment or generate toxic or hazardous material waste. Its prior approval by this body shall be an indispensable requirement to initiate the activities, works, or projects.

This is how the protection of the right to a healthy and ecologically balanced environment obliges the State to take preventive measures in order to avoid its affectation; and among the main measures provided by the legislator in this regard are several technical instruments, among which the Environmental Impact Study stands out, as provided in the cited article, with the condition of the project or work determining its necessity in each case." N.°11562-2006, August 9, 2006: Omission of environmental impact studies "With this, it is clear that, in the manner in which this action has been brought, insofar as it is only claimed that the challenged regulatory plan lacks the respective environmental feasibility studies to be carried out by the Secretaría Técnica Nacional Ambiental, far from constituting a measure in favor of the environment, if this action were to succeed, it would become a true 'de-protection' or lack of protection of this asset, as it would imply leaving that area without spatial planning." N.°13028-2006, September 1, 2006: Environmental feasibility in regulatory plans "The determination of the environmental feasibility of urban regulations or regulatory plans by a specialized technical body contributes to the effectiveness of Article 50 of the Political Constitution and to better protection of every person's right to a healthy and ecologically balanced environment.

Urban planning is one of the most important and momentous tools for Municipal Corporations in fulfilling their goals and satisfying local interests. It is the normative expression of the cantonal will and the planning and design of its collective and individual development, but without detaching itself from the national contour and the territorial and environmental unit to which they belong. The way of planning the development of human activities has a significant impact on the environment, which may be negative or positive depending on the uses and activities that are authorized. In this way, the incorporation of environmental variables and the subjection of regulatory plans to an environmental assessment process are imperatives derived from the provisions of constitutional Article 50." N.°2064-2007, February 14, 2007: Municipal normative autonomy "This Court has recognized the normative autonomy held by municipal governments (ruling 5445-99), but subject to very precise limits related to the matters within their own competence, that is, the organization and provision of 'local interests and services' (constitutional Article 169), or what is the same, 'the local'.

This means that such governments only have the power to issue autonomous regulations of organization and service." N.°3684-2009, March 6, 2009: Modifying the GAM Plan through a regulatory plan, only if Environmental Impact Studies are available "As has been indicated on other occasions, the State must have a broad and clear vision of the impact of its decisions, particularly on the areas regulated by its provisions, to avoid environmental degradation. Hence, no entity can grant itself licenses to modify the requirements of the respective studies, to the detriment of the protection owed to the environment, even when the Municipalities modify the Plan GAM through their Regulatory Plans, they require Environmental Impact Studies. Moreover, the Chamber in cited case law (1998-6524) recognizes that the GAM is based on scientific and technical studies that grant great importance to agricultural areas for their aquifer recharge capacity, so that only the Municipalities could modify what is established in the GAM, provided it does not affect that recharge, and is in accordance with their local needs, once the respective study has been completed, it being not lawful for the Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo to modify them without those criteria." N.°8892-2012, June 27, 2012: Mandatory application of the Poás Matrix "(.) that the 'Matrix of land-use criteria according to aquifer contamination vulnerability for the protection of water resources in the Poás canton' (Matriz de criterios de uso del suelo según la vulnerabilidad a la contaminación de acuíferos para la protección del recurso hídrico en el cantón Poás) is of mandatory application in all cantons or areas where there are vulnerability maps approved or prepared by SENARA and, in any case, it must serve as a guide and technical orientation for the elaboration of land-use policies, as long as such cantons or areas do not have their own matrix prepared by SENARA with the participation of the other institutions that prepared the matrix, and that guarantees the same or a higher level of protection of water resources." N.º10617-2022, May 13, 2022: Obligation to apply INVU Regulations "(.) It has also been repeatedly accepted that through local regulatory plans, or in their absence, the urban development regulations issued by INVU in exercise of the competence provided in transitory provision II of the Urban Planning Law, N.°4240 of November 15, 1968, urbanistic limitations on private property may be established, on the grounds that these norms find their basis in the Urban Planning Law, a legal provision that fulfills the guarantee provided for in numeral 45, second paragraph of the Magna Carta, since it is a law that was approved by a qualified majority of the members of the Legislative Assembly." In this same line, some case law generated through opinions of the Attorney General's Office (Procuraduría General de la República, PGR), related to the matter contained in regulatory plans, is cited:

N.°C-062-1994, April 5, 1994: Urban Development Regulations are not norms of organization or service "Those regulations referred to by the Urban Planning Law make up the Regulatory Plan in urbanistic matters and all lack the nature of an executive regulation. Their objective is not, we reiterate, to specify, complement, and integrate a legal provision, but to regulate, within the urban planning process, the use of land in the canton in question, establishing limitations on that use and construction in urban areas.

(.) These regulations also cannot be considered autonomous regulations of organization or service: it is not, in effect, a matter of regulating the organizational or functional aspects of the Corporation, nor the provision of a public service supplied by the Municipality." N.°C-094-2005, March 3, 2005: Public hearing and environmental feasibility prior to INVU approval " (.) This is why the hearing provided for in the urban planning law must be carried out before sending the final project to SETENA, to obtain environmental feasibility. However, the foregoing should not be understood as a limitation on citizen participation, since the environmental evaluation applicable to regulatory plans -which is prior to the approval of the Urbanism Directorate- has as its guiding principle, participation, transparency, and broad information management." "(.) 2) In accordance with the provisions of the SETENA procedures regulation, regulatory plans require an environmental feasibility license, prior to the approval of the Urbanism Directorate and its final adoption by the municipal council." N.°C-256-2011, October 21, 2011: Means to declare public streets when a Regulatory Plan exists "According to the above considerations, we can conclude that municipalities may declare the opening of public streets within their jurisdiction, even when they are not expressly described in the road map of the regulatory plan, as long as the zoning established therein is not infringed and one of the following cases applies:

a. Opening of streets arising from urban development projects subsequent to the issuance of the Regulatory Plan; b. When the municipal road is dedicated by law or de facto to said public use and is recorded on cartographic sheets, maps, cadasters, among others, as property of the State; c. Opening of a municipal street from the change of purpose of a public domain asset, provided that legal or regulatory authorization exists according to the case; d. Through the cession, voluntary or forced sale of private land, following a declaration of public interest." N.°C-179-2013, September 2, 2013: Municipalities cannot regulate declarations of public roads "The designation of a public road falls to the Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes, and residually to the Municipality, regarding the streets under its jurisdiction, with the declaration corresponding to the Municipal Council.

In the specific case of subdivisions (urbanizaciones) and subdivisions for development purposes (fraccionamientos para efectos de urbanización), the authority that authorizes the opening of streets is the Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo through the Urbanism Directorate.

Municipal entities lack the competence to regulate the laws that grant them the declaration of roads as public. The matter is also not proper to an autonomous regulation, of organization or service, the issuance of which is within municipal competence." N.°C-053-2019, February 22, 2019: INVU's competence to approve (visar) plans "Based on the foregoing, it is concluded that the Urbanism Directorate of the Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo is competent to approve (visar) the survey plans for subdivision and subdivision for development projects, which includes, by way of exception, the approval of plans for those subdivisions for urban development purposes that front on an easement (servidumbre) of passage. However, said Urbanism Directorate lacks the power to approve plans for subdivisions that do not have an urban development purpose, whether agricultural/livestock (agropecuario) or forestry (forestal), even if these front on an easement of passage." N.°C-034-2021, February 11, 2021: Urban Development Regulations cannot be issued without a regulatory plan "The Urban Development Regulations are not autonomous regulations of organization or service; their purpose is not to regulate the organizational or functional aspects of the Corporation nor the provision of a public service supplied by the Municipality. The Urban Development Regulations, it is insisted, are norms related to the respective Regulatory Plan that aim to make the respective Regulatory Plan effective (.).

Based on the foregoing, it is concluded that it is not appropriate for local governments to issue or publish Urban Development Regulations without having an approved and valid regulatory plan." N.°C-210-2022, September 28, 2022: Municipal Councils cannot issue guidelines on road systems without a regulatory plan "1. Policies on road systems and urban development are matters proper to a regulatory plan and its related regulations, and, therefore, the Municipal Council could not issue regulations defining those policies without formulating a regulatory plan and its regulations in accordance with the procedure set forth in Article 17 of the Urban Planning Law." N.°C-007-2024, January 30, 2024: Issuance of local regulations on subdivisions and developments, INVU approval (visado) "4. Local Governments cannot issue an autonomous or independent regulation governing matters related to subdivisions and developments (fraccionamientos y urbanizaciones).

For a Municipality to establish its own regulation regarding subdivisions and developments, and, therefore, exempt itself from the application of the Regulation issued by INVU, it must do so through the issuance of a regulatory plan and its urban development regulations, and, if it already has this instrument, through the elaboration of the urban development regulation for subdivisions and developments, adjusting to the procedure established in Article 17 of the Urban Planning Law.

5. In accordance with Article 10, subsection 2) of the Urban Planning Law, the Urbanism Directorate has the power to approve (visar) the plans for subdivision and subdivision-for-development projects, prior to their municipal approval. This power must also be exercised with respect to subdivisions for urban development purposes authorized exceptionally through the easement (servidumbre) figure in the previous Subdivisions and Developments Regulation (Reglamento de Fraccionamientos y Urbanizaciones). And it is also required for plans of subdivisions for residential use through the exceptional access regulated by the current INVU Subdivisions and Developments Regulation (Articles 23 and following), since it is a subdivision for urban development purposes.

6. Under Article 10, subsection 2) of the Urban Planning Law, this approval (visado) is required for all subdivision and subdivision-for-development projects, regardless of whether or not a regulatory plan exists." 1.6. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK This section addresses the conceptual framework on urban planning and spatial planning, which is based on the legal framework that integrates said matter, presented in the previous chapter. A series of concepts are pointed out whose understanding is fundamental for the use of the Manual.

1.6.1. The territory of Costa Rica The territory of Costa Rica is classified as continental and marine. For the purposes of the MAPRIOT, the term "territory" refers exclusively to the continental territory, excluding the marine territory.

In Costa Rica, the territory is organized into three levels, according to the dimension of the geographic space covered, pursuant to the Urban Planning Law, Law N.°4240 and Article 2 of the General Regulation of the National Planning System, Decreto Ejecutivo N.°37735-PLAN. The three levels are the following:

National Level: Corresponds to the entire extension of the continental territory, covering an area of 51,100 km² Regional Level: Refers to areas equivalent to a region, as established by the official regionalization of MIDEPLAN.

Local Level: Includes areas equal to or smaller than a canton, such as districts or localities.

Furthermore, the national territory is organized into various categories for its planning and management. These categories cover the entire territory and are structured into territorial units of a political-administrative and geographical nature. (See Figure 1) Figure 1. Examples of spatial units in land management and planning 1.6.1.1. Administrative Territorial Division In accordance with Article 168 of the Political Constitution of the Republic of Costa Rica, the Administrative Territorial Division corresponds to the separation of the entire national territory into political-administrative units, such as provinces, cantons, and districts. Currently, Costa Rica is divided into 7 provinces, 84 cantons, and 492 districts, according to Chapters II, III and IV of the Law on Administrative Territorial Division, Law N.°4366.

1.6.1.2. Regions The territory is divided into six regions, which are political-administrative units used for planning, administration, research, and development. According to Article 58 of the General Regulation of the National Planning System, Decreto Ejecutivo N.°37735-PLAN and Decreto Ejecutivo N.°7944, Establishes Regional Division of the Territory of Costa Rica, for the purposes of research and planning of socioeconomic development, the regions are: Central, Brunca, Huetar Caribe, Huetar Norte, Chorotega, and Pacífico Central.

1.6.1.3. Watersheds (Cuencas Hidrográficas) Watersheds (cuencas hidrográficas) are territorial units delimited by water divides, where all water resources falling on their surface, whether from rain, rivers and streams, or other sources, converge toward a common drainage system, such as a river, lake, or the sea.

The territory of Costa Rica is divided into 34 large watersheds: 16 of them drain toward the Pacific Ocean slope and 18 toward the Caribbean Sea slope. The previous 34 watersheds are subdivided into sub-watersheds and micro-watersheds for more precise resource management in a given extension.

Table 1 details the 34 watersheds and their area of extension in km², according to the Study of the Watersheds of Costa Rica by the Instituto Meteorológico Nacional; the listing is shown without prejudice to those watersheds that may be identified in the future by the competent bodies.

Table 1. Watersheds of Costa Rica Integrated watershed management is fundamental for planning and spatial planning, as it ensures the sustainable use of water resources and the conservation of the natural environment, essential aspects in the preparation of Regulatory Plans. Watersheds, as territorial units where ecological, social, and economic processes converge, require coordinated management that guarantees the balance between urban development and the protection of natural resources.

Costa Rican legislation reflects the importance of this integrated management. Both the Law for the Protection of Watersheds, Law N.°68, and the Water Law, Law N.°276, in their respective Articles 1 and 154, prohibit municipalities from alienating, mortgaging, or compromising in any way the lands located on the banks of rivers, streams, springs (manantiales) or in the watersheds from which springs (manantiales) or water sources that supply the population arise.

For its part, the Constitutive Law of the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, Law N.°2726, in its Article 2, subsection c), assigns this Institution the task of promoting the conservation of watersheds and controlling water pollution, underlining the need for adequate management to guarantee a safe water supply. The General Health Law, Law N.°5395, in its Article 277, reinforces this protection by prohibiting any action that may contaminate or deteriorate the watersheds that provide water for human consumption, linking water quality to public health.

Likewise, the Organic Environmental Law, Law N.°7554, in its Article 67, holds all persons, public or private, responsible for implementing measures to prevent watershed contamination, aligning with the integrated management approach for these resources. Similarly, the Law on the Use, Management and Conservation of Soils, Law N.°7779, in its Articles 15 and 16, establishes that the watershed or sub-watershed must be the basic unit for planning soil management and conservation units, especially in critical areas where its degradation limits productive activities. In turn, the Regulation to the Law on the Use, Management and Conservation of Soils, Decreto Ejecutivo N.°29375 MAG-MINAE-S-HACIENDA-MOPT in its Article 112, reinforces the integrated management approach by establishing that various institutions must coordinate with the MAG research and conservation actions for soils and waters in the watersheds, promoting inter-institutional and articulated management of these resources.

Integrated watershed management is not only a legal mandate but a key strategy to ensure that urban and rural growth is sustainable and resilient, minimizing environmental impacts and guaranteeing the availability of water resources, as well as the use, management, and conservation of soil. The preparation of regulatory plans must incorporate this perspective, focusing on watershed conservation and responsible land management, in order to protect ecosystems and improve the quality of life of communities.

To achieve effective alignment between watershed management plans and regulatory plans, spaces are needed to facilitate coordination among the different entities involved, allowing both instruments to advance toward a common goal, strengthening ecosystem protection and improving the quality of life of communities. In watersheds that span several cantons or parts thereof, a joint review and articulation of the plans is essential.

1.6.1.4. Conservation Areas (Áreas de Conservación) Conservation Areas (Áreas de Conservación) correspond to the division of the national territory into administratively delimited geographical units, managed under a common strategy for conservation and administration of natural resources. These areas are regulated by Article 28 of the Biodiversity Law, Law N.°7788.

Currently, Costa Rica has 11 Conservation Areas, which are responsible for coordinating and supervising the management categories of the Protected Wild Areas (Áreas Silvestres Protegidas, ASP) within their jurisdiction. Table 2 details the list of Conservation Areas with their respective acronym:

Table 2. Conservation Areas of Costa Rica 1.6.1.4.1. Protected Wild Areas (Áreas Silvestres Protegidas) In Costa Rican legislation, Protected Wild Areas (Áreas Silvestres Protegidas, ASP) are defined in the Regulation to the Biodiversity Law, Decreto Ejecutivo N.°34433, as "delimited geographical spaces, officially declared and assigned to a management category due to their natural, cultural and/or socioeconomic importance, in order to fulfill specific conservation and management objectives." These geographical spaces are Areas Under Special Regime (Áreas Bajo Régimen Especial, ABRE) within the Conservation Areas that have been declared under a legal protection category due to their ecological, scenic, or cultural value. Article 32 of the Organic Environmental Law, Law N.°7554, classifies Protected Wild Areas into various management categories, such as: Forest Reserves, Protective Zones, National Parks, Biological Reserves, National Wildlife Refuges, Wetlands, and Natural Monuments. The ASP categories are administered by MINAE through the National System of Conservation Areas (Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación, SINAC), which is responsible for designing, updating, monitoring, evaluating, and systematizing policies, plans, programs, projects, procedures, and manuals for national application. All these efforts are focused on ensuring effective management of the ASP.

To manage a Protected Wild Area, SINAC must implement a planning instrument known as a General Management Plan. This plan develops strategic action lines in the medium term, establishes management objectives for the natural and cultural resources within the area, and regulates the relationship between these resources and their socio-environmental surroundings.

Regarding land-use planning, it is important to highlight that the Organic Law of the Environment, Law No. 7554, in its Article 29, establishes that, in matters of sustainable development, the optimal location of Protected Wilderness Areas (Áreas Silvestres Protegidas, ASP) and their function as a guide for the sustainable use of environmental resources must be incorporated. In accordance with this mandate, when preparing the Regulatory Plan, it is essential to locate the ASP, clarifying that these are not part of the Planificable Area (Área Planificable) of the canton, since their planning corresponds to the General Management Plan (Plan General de Manejo).

Similarly, the Biodiversity Law, Law No. 7788, in its Chapter IV. Conservation and Sustainable Use of Ecosystems and Species, establishes in Article 50, that human activities must conform to the technical-scientific standards issued by MINAE and other competent public entities, to guarantee the maintenance of vital ecological processes, both inside and outside the Protected Wilderness Areas. This is especially relevant for activities related to human settlements, agriculture, tourism, industry, and others that may affect such processes.

Particular mention is made that, for the case of the cantons of Heredia, Barva, Santa Barbara, San Rafael, San Isidro and Vázquez de Coronado, Law No. 65 declares a strip of land two kilometers wide on both sides of the summit of the Barva Volcano inalienable, extending from the El Zurquí hill to the Concordia hill, and must be maintained under national or municipal ownership, with the purpose of preventing its sale or transfer to private entities. Given the legal and environmental importance of said Law, the municipal corporations affected by this regulation must contemplate these provisions in their processes of formulation, modification, or updating of the regulatory plans of their territories; providing for the proper identification and delimitation of the protected strip as an inalienable zone of public domain, avoiding the adoption of territorial provisions that could be contrary to the law and put the protection of this vital resource at risk.

1.6.1.5. State Natural Heritage (Patrimonio Natural del Estado) The State Natural Heritage (PNE) constitutes in Costa Rica a set of natural assets of public domain, whose conservation and administration are entrusted to the State. The adequate consideration of these areas is essential when preparing Regulatory Plans, as it guarantees the protection of natural resources and the sustainable development of the territory.

The Forestry Law (Ley Forestal), Law No. 7575, introduces in its article 13 the concept of State Natural Heritage as "The forests and forest lands of the national reserves, of the areas declared inalienable, of the farms registered in its name and of those belonging to municipalities, autonomous institutions and other bodies of the Public Administration, except real estate that guarantees credit operations with the National Banking System and enters to form part of its heritage (.)". This definition contemplates areas of diverse natures, such as forests, national reserves, and other lands of ecological value; all under the administration of MINAE.

The State Natural Heritage includes portions of the Protected Wilderness Areas, when these are of public domain, such as national parks. However, the PNE has a broader scope, encompassing other forest lands and natural assets under state protection that are not necessarily categorized as ASP.

Within the process of preparing a Regulatory Plan, when PNE exists, it is essential to comply with the procedures and legal requirements established for its protection. For this, direct coordination with SINAC, the entity responsible for such management, is essential; this body must provide official and updated technical information on the PNE, including its limits and the restrictions that must be incorporated into the planning process.

It is essential that the PNE be clearly analyzed and delimited within the environmental variable of the Regulatory Plan. Likewise, it must be a fundamental component in zoning, defined as areas of no land-use change (áreas de no cambio de uso).

In accordance with articles 1, 13 and 19 of the Forestry Law, lands covered with forest on State properties, including the PNE, cannot be expropriated or modified through land-use change without having a technical and scientific justification that responds to the public interest.

1.6.1.6. Indigenous Territories (Territorios Indígenas):

Indigenous Territories in Costa Rica are Areas Under Special Regime (Áreas Bajo Régimen Especial) and have fundamental importance in the context of land-use planning and environmental conservation. Currently there are 24 Indigenous Territories: 1. Guatuso (Maleku), 2. Matambú (Chorotega), 3. Cabagra (Bribri), 4. Ujarrás (Cabécar), 5. Salitre (Bribrí), 6. Tayni (Cabécar), 7. Telire (Cabecar), 8. Talamanca (Bribri), 9. Nairi Awari (Cabécar), 10. Bajo Chirripó Cabécar), 11. Alto Chirripó (Cabécar), 12. Boruca (Brunka), 13. Rey Curré (Brunka), 14. Térraba (Teribe), 15. Talamanca (Cabécar), 16. Conte Burica (Ngöbe), 17. Zapatón (Huetar), 18. Quitirrisí (Huetar), 19. Coto Brus (Gnöbe), 20. Guaymí Altos de San Antonio (Gnöbe), 21. China Quichá (Cabécar), 22. Abrojo Montezuma (Gnöbe), 23. Guaymí de Osa (Gnöbe), and 24. Kékoldi (Bribri).

The administration of Indigenous Territories is governed by the Indigenous Law No. 6172, which declares them inalienable, imprescriptible, and unseizable, non-transferable, and exclusive for the indigenous communities that inhabit them. In turn, the Regulation to the Indigenous Law, under the title Legal Representation of Indigenous Communities by Development Associations and as Local Government, Executive Decree No. 13568-C-G", grants since 1982 the legal representation of indigenous communities to the Integral Indigenous Development Associations (Asociaciones de Desarrollo Integral Indígenas, ADII), also assigning them local government functions. In addition, it establishes that the jurisdiction of these associations must respect the territorial limits of the indigenous reserves, according to the decrees that defined them.

Convention No. 169 concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries, ratified by Costa Rica through Law No. 7316, establishes that indigenous peoples have the right to the ownership of their lands and must be consulted before any legislative or administrative action that affects them.

Therefore, for the processes of formulation, updating, or modification of Regulatory Plans, municipalities with Indigenous Territories in their jurisdiction must adhere to the general consultation procedure stipulated in the Regulation for the General Mechanism for Consultation of Indigenous Peoples (Reglamento Mecanismo General de Consulta a Pueblos Indígenas), Executive Decree No. 40932-MP-MJP, respecting the principles of autonomy and self-determination of indigenous communities. For such purposes, said Regulation provides the obligation of the Executive Branch to consult indigenous peoples freely, priorly, and informedly, through appropriate procedures and through their representative institutions, whenever administrative measures, bills promoted by the Executive Branch, or private projects, likely to affect them, are foreseen.

On this matter, the Constitutional Chamber (Sala Constitucional), through Resolution No. 31756-2023 of December 7, 2023, has pointed out that, in consultation processes with indigenous peoples, the mere existence of a formal procedure does not guarantee, by itself, effective or equitable participation. Prior, free, and informed consultation must be conceived as a true intercultural dialogue that recognizes the historical conditions of structural inequality that these peoples have faced. In this sense, consultation cannot be reduced to a procedural stage, but must imply a substantive commitment on the part of the State to guarantee equity in the process and ensure full respect for the collective rights of indigenous peoples.

1.6.1.7. Maritime Terrestrial Zone (Zona Marítimo Terrestre) The Maritime Terrestrial Zone (ZMT) in Costa Rica represents an important area for land-use planning, as it encompasses the first 200 meters of land along the Atlantic and Pacific coastlines. According to article 9 of the Law on the Maritime Terrestrial Zone (Ley sobre la Zona Marítimo Terrestre), Law No. 6043, this strip is measured horizontally from the ordinary high tide line and includes the areas that the sea uncovers during low tide. In addition, the ZMT comprises islands, islets, and natural formations that protrude from the sea within the maritime territory of the Republic, with the exception of Isla del Coco and other islands that are under special dominion of the State.

Law No. 6043, in its article 10, establishes that the ZMT is composed of two sections: the Public Zone (Zona Pública) and the Restricted Zone (Zona Restringida). The Public Zone is a strip 50 meters wide, from the ordinary high tide line, which also includes the areas uncovered during low tide. The Restricted Zone, for its part, extends for the remaining 150 meters of the strip or for additional lands in the case of islands. These islets and crags always belong to the Public Zone, thus underscoring the importance of guaranteeing the public use of this area and its protection.

The planning of the ZMT in Costa Rica is materialized through the Coastal Regulatory Plan (Plan Regulador Costero), a legal and technical instrument composed of plans, maps, regulations, and binding documents, as established by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (Instituto Costarricense de Turismo) in its Manual for the Preparation of Coastal Regulatory Plans (Manual de Elaboración de Planes Reguladores Costeros) published in Scope No. 139 to Gazette No. 135 of July 14, 2021, its reforms, or the regulations that replace them. This plan aims to ensure sustainable economic, social, and environmental development in the ZMT, harmonizing land-use planning policies with the need to protect coastal ecosystems and allow a rational use of these spaces of great natural and economic value.

The Regulation to the Law on the Maritime Terrestrial Zone, Executive Decree No. 7841, in its article 18, establishes that Coastal Regulatory Plans must cover the ZMT and may also include adjacent lands that are considered part of its area of influence. In this case, the owners of properties located in bordering zones not included in the plan may request the incorporation of their plots at the time of the preparation of the mentioned Plans.

In the 150-meter Restricted Zone, permanent constructions are permitted only when a Coastal Regulatory Plan exists and, in addition, the corresponding administrative authorization, such as a concession, is obtained. The Office of the Attorney General of the Republic (Procuraduría General de la República), in its opinion No. C-268-2020, specified that, in the absence of a Coastal Regulatory Plan, municipalities may grant use permits under a precarious condition, which only enable activities that require easily removable buildings or installations, that is, non-permanent ones.

When preparing the Regulatory Plan of the canton, Municipal Governments with coastal portions in their territory cannot include the Maritime Terrestrial Zone within the Planificable Area, as these must be represented cartographically as Areas Under Special Regime (Áreas Bajo Régimen Especial, ABRE).

The foregoing does not apply, unless there are exceptions expressly established by law, as in the case of Coastal Cities (Ciudades Litorales) promulgated via laws of the Republic, Coastal Urban Zones (Zonas Urbanas Litorales) defined according to the Framework Law for the Declaration of a Coastal Urban Zone and its Territorial Use and Exploitation Regime (Ley Marco para la Declaratoria de Zona Urbana Litoral y su Régimen de Uso y Aprovechamiento Territorial), Law No. 9221; as well as plots registered before the entry into force of the Law on the Maritime Terrestrial Zone, Law No. 6043, or other legal provisions.

1.6.1.8. Rural Territories defined by the National Institute for Rural Development (Instituto Nacional de Desarrollo Rural)

4240, promotes the balance between urban and rural development through an adequate distribution of the population and economic activities in the territory. In that line, the National Institute for Rural Development (INDER) is the body responsible for promoting the development of rural areas in Costa Rica, contributing to the improvement of living conditions through territorial planning.

The Law "Transforms the Agrarian Development Institute (Instituto De Desarrollo Agrario, IDA) into the Institute of Rural Development (INDER) and creates the Technical Secretariat for Rural Development" (Ley "Transforma el Instituto De Desarrollo Agrario (IDA) en el Instituto de Desarrollo Rural (INDER) y crea Secretaría Técnica de Desarrollo Rural"), Law No. 9036, establishes in its article 9 that Rural Territories are geographic areas mainly dedicated to rural activities, with a particular social and institutional structure, and that depend economically and socially on the utilization of natural resources such as soils, waters, and forests. In total, INDER has delimited 29 Rural Territories, made up of one or several cantons or districts that share common characteristics in ecological, economic, cultural, and social terms. Said delimitation and classification does not modify the territorial and administrative division of the Republic of Costa Rica, nor does it affect the public competencies of municipalities and other entities. (See Table 3).

Table 3. INDER Rural Territories The Territorial Rural Development Plan (Plan de Desarrollo Rural Territorial, PDRT) is a planning instrument designed to guide comprehensive development in each of the 29 Rural Territories, based on the identification of their needs and priorities. As established by article 13 of Law No. 9036, INDER is responsible for formulating these plans, in coordination with rural actors from both the public sector and civil society, and through the Territorial Rural Development Councils (Consejos Territoriales de Desarrollo Rural, CTDR). Furthermore, the PDRTs must be aligned and harmonized with the municipal Regulatory Plans to ensure coherent and effective planning in each territory.

Given that it is fundamental for Regulatory Plans to incorporate the Rural Territories defined by INDER to promote the balance between urban and rural development, article 73 of Law No. 9036 establishes the creation of the Rural Development Fund (Fondo de Desarrollo Rural) as a specialized technical unit of INDER. This fund has the responsibility of promoting and executing projects in rural territories, with the aim of improving access to basic services and fostering the socioeconomic development of communities, respecting the competencies of the corresponding public institutions. In that same sense, subsection g) of article 75 of said normative body indicates that the Rural Development Fund has within its functions advising local governments to include rural development themes in Regulatory Plans.

For the purposes of preparing a Regulatory Plan, it is important to differentiate the concepts of "INDER Rural Territory" and "INDER Settlement" (Asentamiento INDER), the latter also known as "Peasant Settlement" (Asentamiento Campesino). INDER Settlements are rural areas managed to provide land and resources to people or groups, with the objective of fostering agricultural, productive, and community development; these lands are located within the Rural Territories defined by said Institution. The settlements are created through programs that include the purchase, distribution, and titling of lands, accompanied by a territorial planning process, as well as technical support to develop productive activities.

When planning a canton, it is fundamental to identify the INDER Settlements present in the area, since their integration into the Regulatory Plans allows key rural development themes to be incorporated.

This contributes to promoting an adequate balance between urban and rural development, through an optimal distribution of the population and economic activities, thus promoting more orderly territorial growth.

1.6.1.9. Agrarian soils defined by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería) The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), through its regional offices and strategic plans, such as the National Plan for Agricultural Development (Plan Nacional de Desarrollo Agropecuario) and the National Plan for Territorial Rural Development (Plan Nacional de Desarrollo Rural Territorial), categorizes productive zones that fulfill relevant agricultural, livestock, or forestry functions by means of land-use capacity maps. These zones must also be recognized in cantonal Regulatory Plans, as established by the Regulation to the Law for the Use, Management and Conservation of Soils (Reglamento a la Ley de Uso, Manejo y Conservación de Suelos), Executive Decree No. 29375-MAG, its reforms, or the regulations that replace it.

In said Regulation, specifically in article 55 of Chapter V, it is indicated that regulatory plans and zoning regulations prepared by INVU and the municipalities must classify and zone agrarian soils, both in urban and rural districts; for such purposes, it is relevant to contemplate, when they exist, the inputs generated by the National Institute for Innovation and Transfer in Agricultural Technology (Instituto Nacional de Innovación y Transferencia en Tecnología Agropecuaria, INTA), on agroecological zoning.

This means that soils with an agricultural vocation must be appropriately identified and regulated, which reinforces the importance of integrating productive rural areas into local territorial planning.

1.6.1.10. Risk Prevention and Emergency Response The National Law on Emergencies and Risk Prevention (Ley Nacional de Emergencias y Prevención del Riesgo), Law No. 8488, according to its article 1, aims to regulate the ordinary actions that the Costa Rican State m ust develop, in accordance with the provisions of its article 14, to reduce the causes of the loss of human lives and the social, economic, and environmental consequences induced by risk factors of natural and anthropic origin. Likewise, it establishes the extraordinary activity that the State must carry out in the event of a state of emergency, applying a regime of exception.

For its part, article 2 of the cited norm highlights that its purpose is to confer an agile and effective legal framework that guarantees both the reduction of the causes of risk and the timely, coordinated, and efficient management of emergency situations. In addition, it seeks to define and integrate the efforts and functions of the Central Government, decentralized institutions, public companies, local governments, the private sector, and organized civil society in the prevention and response to negative impacts derived from events caused by force majeure or fortuitous event. In this context, the National Commission for Risk Prevention and Emergency Response (Comisión Nacional de Prevención de Riesgos y Atención de Emergencias, CNE), in accordance with the provisions of subsection h) of article 14 of Law No. 8488, has the competence to advise municipalities in the management of information on risk conditions, guiding them in the adoption of land-use and land-use planning policies. This advisory work seeks to facilitate the preparation of regulatory plans, the application of control measures, and the promotion of organizational actions that contribute to reducing the vulnerability of the population, recognizing that the primary responsibility for facing this problem lies, in the first instance, with municipal governments.

In accordance with article 4 of said Law, and article 2 of its Regulation, Executive Decree No. 34361, the declaration of emergency is a provision issued by the Executive Branch by decree, based on a situation of necessity and urgency. This figure allows the mobilization of resources, the activation of protocols, and the coordination of actions aimed at offering a rapid, efficient, and articulated response to events that represent a threat to the life, health, safety, or property of the population. Depending on the magnitude and scope of the event, the declaration may be issued at the local, provincial, regional, or national level.

In accordance with the provisions of article 9 of the Regulation to the National Law on Emergencies and Risk Prevention, the bodies and entities of the State must guarantee that, in the preparation of their institutional and operational plans, the guidelines of the National Risk Management Plan (Plan Nacional de Gestión del Riesgo) are included. Furthermore, in urban development projects, the component of risk or disaster prevention and mitigation must be incorporated, in compliance with the guidelines that favor the resilience and safety of the population in the face of possible contingencies. This provision seeks to ensure that risk management is an integral part of the policies and projects implemented at the institutional and territorial level.

Additionally, article 25 of said Regulation indicates that, with the objective of avoiding the repetition of vulnerabilities and ensuring that reconstruction works do not perpetuate the risks that generated the emergency, the works to be executed during the crisis must be designed and implemented under a preventive approach. This approach aims to reduce the probability that future events could cause an emergency of equal magnitude. In the affected cantons that have a Regulatory Plan, the CNE, through the various instances of the National System for Prevention and Response to Emergencies (Sistema Nacional de Prevención y Atención de Emergencias), will recommend the corresponding measures on land use and other regulations linked to the prevention of future disasters. These recommendations will be integrated as an update of the Regulatory Plan, ensuring that local regulations are properly adjusted to prevent the occurrence of new disasters in the same area.

Beyond its function in the immediate response to disasters, the declaration of emergency plays a key role in risk prevention processes, the protection of lives and property, and in promoting safer and more sustainable urban development.

In this sense, the aforementioned norm also defines, in its article 4, the concept of risk management, understood as a comprehensive and sustainable process aimed at identifying, preventing, and mitigating the conditions of vulnerability of the population, human settlements, infrastructure, vital lines, productive activities, and the environment. This preventive approach requires the incorporation of technical criteria into territorial, sectoral, and socioeconomic planning, and extends to all phases of emergency management: preparation, response, and recovery.

Therefore, the declaration of emergency is not limited to addressing specific crisis situations, but is part of a broader risk management approach. Its application contributes to strengthening national resilience, by promoting orderly planning of the territory based on the reduction of risk from future adverse events.

1.6.1.11. Border Zones (Zonas Fronterizas) The Border Strip (Franja Fronteriza) is a zone of land two thousand meters wide that extends along the borders of Costa Rica with Nicaragua and Panama. Its legal regime is characterized by inalienability, meaning that it cannot be sold, transferred, or registered under any modality. This condition is expressly established in subsection f) of article 7 of the Land and Colonization Law (Ley de Tierras y Colonización), Law No. 2825. The principle has been reaffirmed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic in Opinion C-146-2008, by stating that the lands within this zone constitute public property of the State, not capable of being acquired by possession, even when there are acts that appear to show intent of ownership by private parties.

One of its most relevant characteristics is its environmental fragility, for which it has been cataloged as a special environmental protection zone. Consequently, it is considered an unavailable asset, that is, not subject to legal transactions of ownership, which reinforces its condition as state public domain.

Now, in accordance with the provisions of article 22 of the Biodiversity Law, Law No.

7788, complemented by its articles 27 and 28, when the Border Strip overlaps with a Protected Wilderness Area (ASP), the lands automatically acquire the condition of public domain assets, becoming part of the State Natural Heritage. In such a case, INDER loses the possibility of exercising full administration over those spaces, its intervention being limited only to sectors not incorporated into the natural heritage. This principle has been endorsed by the Constitutional Chamber, in Judgment No. 1963-2012, and reiterated by the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic through Opinion C-223-2015, clarifying that INDER may only intervene once MINAE determines that the lands do not belong to the natural state heritage.

By virtue of the foregoing, all applicable state policy in these territories must be coordinated with MINAE, with respect to environmental conservation, following a General Management Plan approved in accordance with the provisions of article 37 of the Biodiversity Law, Law No. 7788; articles 37 and 113 of the Organic Law of the Environment, Law No. 7554; and articles 3 subsection e), 14 bis, 20, 21, 24, 28, 36 bis, 41, 62 and 82 of the Wildlife Conservation Law (Ley de Conservación de Vida Silvestre), Law No. 7317. Likewise, INDER maintains competencies in matters of rural social development, particularly in those territories with settled populations or in privately-owned zones that are not subject to the prohibition established in article 7 subsection f) of the Land and Colonization Law, Law No. 2825. In these cases, territorial planning must be carried out in coordination with the municipalities, ensuring compatibility between the Territorial Rural Development Plans and the Regulatory Plans. This obligation is regulated in article 13 of the Law that Transforms IDA into INDER and creates the Technical Secretariat for Rural Development, Law No. 9036.

In matters of land concessions, the residual competence of INDER within the Border Strip is regulated in article 8 of the Regulation for the granting of concessions in border strips (Reglamento para el otorgamiento de concesiones en franjas fronterizas), established through Executive Decree No. 39688-MAG. This form defines the priority criteria for the resolution of concessions, among which are considered: greater public convenience, the guidelines of the Regulatory Plan, the Territorial Rural Development Plan, the condition of lessee up to date with its obligations, and the peaceful and continuous occupation by local settlers.

On the other hand, in those zones without current urban planning instruments, the oversight of land use corresponds to INDER, in coordination with the municipalities, which maintain the power to grant permits in accordance with the uses authorized in the respective concessions. This function is contemplated in article 17 subsection f) of Law No. 9036, which grants INDER the power to establish and execute oversight actions on the plots under its competence.

1.6.1.12. Wetlands (Humedales) Wetlands in Costa Rica are subject to a special legal regime due to their ecological importance and their fundamental role in biodiversity conservation, the hydrological cycle, climate change mitigation, and natural disaster prevention. In this vein, Costa Rica has ratified international commitments, such as the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, through the Law on the Convention on International Wetlands as Habitat for Waterfowl, Law No. 7224, which strengthen state responsibility for the conservation and sustainable use of these ecosystems.

Additionally, Article 13 of the Forest Law (Ley Forestal) establishes that wetlands located within state-owned Protected Wilderness Areas (Áreas Silvestres Protegidas) form part of the PNE and, therefore, are subject to use restrictions equivalent to those applied in Forest Reserves, Protective Zones, or National Wildlife Refuges. When wetlands are located outside these Protected Wilderness Areas, their protection regime depends on their legal situation and specific environmental characteristics.

In the case of wetlands located on private properties, the State may choose to acquire or expropriate them for conservation purposes, as provided for in Article 2 of the Forest Law (Ley Forestal), which empowers the Executive Branch, through MINAE, to establish Protected Wilderness Areas on privately owned lands, subjecting them to the forest regime. As an alternative, property owners may voluntarily incorporate their wetlands into the forest regime through a formal registration procedure that encumbers the property, thereby guaranteeing their special protection even when they are outside the public domain.

Regardless of their location, all wetlands are subject to environmental management plans and any intervention in them must have a prior environmental impact assessment (evaluación de impacto ambiental), in accordance with Articles 17 and 42 of the Organic Environmental Law (Ley Orgánica del Ambiente), Law No. 7554.

Furthermore, in the Regulatory Plan proposal, the municipality must take appropriate measures for the maintenance of ecological processes, including the identification, mitigation, control, maintenance, restoration, recovery, and rehabilitation of ecosystems and their components, according to the scientific-technical standards issued by MINAE; pursuant to Articles 49, section 5, and 51 of the Biodiversity Law (Ley de Biodiversidad), Law No. 7788.

The responsibility for the monitoring, regulation, and promotion of the sustainable use of wetlands falls to MINAE, through SINAC. This body coordinates actions with other institutions such as the National Groundwater, Irrigation, and Drainage Service (SENARA), the municipalities, and, in rural contexts, the Institute of Rural Development (INDER). This inter-institutional coordination is fundamental for advancing the conservation and restoration of wetlands, integrating them into the national policy for water resource and biodiversity management.

1.6.2. Land-Use Planning (Ordenamiento Territorial) Land-use planning (ordenamiento territorial) is an administrative process through which the State, municipal governments, and other public entities regulate, guide, and promote various actions in the territory.

It is also a political and participatory process, based on legal, technical, and scientific support, which is implemented through negotiation, coordination, consensus-building, and decision-making among the different social actors linked to a territory.

According to Article 29 of the Organic Environmental Law (Ley Orgánica del Ambiente), Law No. 7554, the purposes of land-use planning (ordenamiento territorial) include the following:

 Harmonize the well-being of the population with the use and conservation of environmental resources  Optimally locate economic and productive activities, human settlements, public areas, public services, Protected Wilderness Areas (ASP), and infrastructure works, among others  Serve as a guide for the sustainable use of environmental elements  Balance the sustainable development of the different zones of the country  Promote citizen participation in territorial planning Said Law indicates in its Article 31 that, to achieve the fulfillment of the stated purposes, the development and reordering of cities must be promoted through the intensive use of urban space.

The foregoing highlights the role of urban planning as a central component in land-use planning (ordenamiento territorial).

In accordance with the provisions of Article 52 of the Biodiversity Law (Ley de Biodiversidad), Law No. 7788, any plan or authorization issued by public institutions related to the use or exploitation of natural resources, as well as the location of human settlements or industrial and agricultural developments, must integrate criteria for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. This obligation is particularly relevant when such instruments may impact Protected Wilderness Areas (Áreas Silvestres Protegidas), where greater rigor is required in planning, approval, and implementation, in order to protect the ecosystems and species present in said territories.

1.6.3. Urban Planning

4240, defines urban planning as: "(.) the continuous and integral process of analysis and formulation of plans and regulations on urban development, aimed at ensuring the safety, health, comfort, and well-being of the community." In this regard, the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic, in Opinion No. C-001-2004 of January 5, 2004, states that urban planning: "(.) Constitutes a top-level public function under the responsibility (.) of the municipalities, the State, and INVU (.) and is a fundamental tool for short-, medium-, and long-term decision-making, defining objectives, goals, and methods to achieve them efficiently." Urban planning not only guides the sustainable transformation of urban areas within the territory, but also seeks to promote an adequate balance between urban and rural development, through an efficient distribution of the population and economic activities, guaranteeing harmonious growth in both environments. In urban planning processes, it is essential to consider the following:

1.6.2. Land-Use Planning (Ordenamiento Territorial)  Every urban area is part of a territory. Urban areas are interconnected within a broader territory, where units, physical-spatial elements, and social, cultural, economic, and environmental processes interact. This includes the relationship with rural areas, which is key to achieving territorial balance.

 Constant transformation is an inherent characteristic of the territory. Urban and rural areas are in constant change, influenced by transformation processes at the local, regional, national, and even global levels. A balance between these spaces is essential to ensure that both can adapt and thrive in an evolving environment.

 Communities build their collective identity through the appropriation of their territory. The territory, both urban and rural, is a fundamental part of the identity of communities and the basis for social cohesion. The proper use and planning of these areas contributes to integral and equitable development.

1.6.4. Comprehensive Land-Use Planning and Management in Costa Rica The planning and management of Costa Rican territory is based on the principle of integration, both among the different territorial levels and among the different categories and units that comprise it. Integration among the national, regional, and local territorial levels is addressed through Cascade Planning, that is, through territorial management via different plans hierarchized according to the level they cover. Each plan addresses what corresponds to it according to its level, respecting the competencies of other levels. Therefore, each plan considers and responds to what is established in higher-level plans, complying with what corresponds to it according to current regulations, since these provide guidance on addressing the territory from a broader perspective; likewise, they consider what is proposed in lower-level plans, since these offer a more detailed perspective on a particular territory. (See Figure 2) Consequently, cascade planning implies a multidirectional exchange among social actors at the national, regional, and local levels. Below, the main competencies in matters of urban planning and land-use planning (ordenamiento territorial), as well as the existing plans for each level, are indicated:

1.6.4.1. National Level.

INVU and MIDEPLAN are responsible for fulfilling the functions required for urban planning at the national level, for which they must prepare, review, and update the National Urban Development Plan (PNDU). Said Plan guides the other levels of territorial planning in the country. Likewise, MIDEPLAN is responsible for facilitating spaces for inter-institutional coordination for analysis in matters of territorial planning. In turn, Transitory Provision II of the Urban Planning Law (Ley de Planificación Urbana), Law No. 4240, authorizes INVU to issue the national-level urban development standards established in its Article 21. The Urban Development Regulations prepared by the Institute are of national application for all those municipalities that do not have a Regulatory Plan; in the event of having a Regulatory Plan, these regulations are of supplementary application, that is, they serve to supply or complement everything that is not contained in the Regulatory Plans of each canton.

Furthermore, at the national level, territorial planning is also guided by various plans and public policies, including the National Strategic Plan (PEN) and the National Habitat Policy and Creation of the National Habitat System, Executive Decree No. 43467-MP-MIVAH-MINAE-PLAN-MOPT, which establish strategic guidelines and objectives for more equitable, sustainable development articulated with the country's economic and social development. These policies complement the technical and normative instruments, aligning urban planning with a comprehensive vision of the territory.

1.6.4.2. Regional Level.

At the regional level, INVU and MIDEPLAN are responsible for fulfilling the functions required for urban planning at this link, for which they must implement Regional Land-Use Regulatory Plans (Planes Reguladores de Ordenamiento Territorial Regionales). These plans consider in their approach what is indicated in the PNDU and guide planning at the local level in the country. At the regional level, the National Environmental Technical Secretariat (SETENA) has the responsibility to study and endorse matters related to the environmental variable, ensuring the planning of the development of human activities potentially harmful to the environment, being responsible for granting Environmental Feasibility (Viabilidad Ambiental), through the procedure in force for that purpose; the competence of the National Groundwater, Irrigation, and Drainage Service (SENARA) in the matter consists of protecting water resources. Therefore, the decisions regarding the exploitation, maintenance, and protection of water resources adopted in a reasoned manner by SETENA and SENARA will be definitive and of mandatory compliance for the preparation of the Regional Land-Use Regulatory Plans.

It is important to note that, in accordance with Article 60 of the General Regulation of the National Planning System, Executive Decree No. 37735-PLAN, the bodies and entities of the Regional Planning Subsystem are the following: the Regional Development Councils, the Regional Planning Area and its regional offices (MIDEPLAN), the INVU Urban Planning Directorate, INDER, the Regional Intersectoral Committees, the Regional Sectoral Committees, the Institutional Regional Offices, the Institutional Planning Units, the Cantonal Institutional Coordination Councils; and other regional planning and coordination bodies.

1.6.4.3. Local Level In congruence with Articles 169 and 170 of the Political Constitution, Article 15 of the Urban Planning Law (Ley de Planificación Urbana) establishes that municipalities have the primary responsibility for local urban planning, always acting within their respective jurisdictions. According to said article, for the planning and control of their territories, Municipal Governments make such authority effective through the Regulatory Plan.

INVU is the entity responsible for advising municipal governments on the matter, and has the power to exercise oversight and authority over the due compliance with related national interest standards. Likewise, it is the entity responsible for reviewing and approving Regulatory Plans or for preparing them at the request of the municipal government, as established in Transitory Provision II of the Urban Planning Law (Ley Planificación Urbana).

The competence of SETENA at the local level consists of studying and endorsing matters related to the environmental variable in Regulatory Plans, ensuring the planning of the development of human activities potentially harmful to the environment, being responsible for granting Environmental Feasibility (Viabilidad Ambiental), through the procedure in force for that purpose.

1.6.5. The Municipal Regime The Municipal Regime constitutes a modality of territorial decentralization established in Article 168 of the Political Constitution of Costa Rica. This regime grants municipalities a significant degree of autonomy, which according to Article 170 of the same Constitution, is understood as the capacity to freely decide, under their own responsibility, everything related to the organization and administration of the local interests and services of the canton. This interpretation has been widely developed by the Constitutional Chamber in Resolution No. 05445-1999, which highlights municipal autonomy as a fundamental element for self-government and the management of specific competencies.

Municipal autonomy is not absolute but materializes in different types, which allow municipalities to fulfill their functions within the framework of the national legal order: (See Figure 3).

Political autonomy: Gives rise to self-government, which entails the election of its authorities through democratic and representative mechanisms, as indicated by our Political Constitution in its Article 169.

 Normative autonomy: Municipalities have the power to issue their own regulations in matters of their competence, a power that in our country refers only to the regulatory power that internally regulates the organization of the corporation and the services it provides (autonomous organization and service regulations).

 Tax autonomy: Also known as the power to levy taxes, and refers to the fact that the initiative for the creation, modification, extinction, or exemption of municipal taxes corresponds to these entities, a power subject to the approval indicated in Article 121, subsection 13 of the Political Constitution when applicable.

 Administrative autonomy: A power that implies not only self-regulation, but also self-administration and therefore freedom from the State for the adoption of the fundamental decisions of the entity.

While municipalities enjoy autonomy, this is exercised within the framework of the state order. According to the Resolution of the Chamber cited above, autonomy does not imply full sovereignty, since sovereignty resides exclusively in the Nation. This means that the actions of municipalities must respect the general national regulations, ensuring the unity of the State and compliance with superior principles, such as sustainability and public interest.

Municipal autonomy is essential for land-use planning (planificación y ordenamiento territorial); as indicated, according to Article 15 of Law No. 4240, municipalities have the responsibility to plan and control their territories through the formulation of Regulatory Plans. This attribution allows local governments to define the Development Policy, establish goals, and regulate land use and economic activities in their cantons, always respecting the limits of the national legal framework.

The municipal regime being a fundamental pillar in the organization of the State, terms for the understanding and composition of it are presented in Table 4.

Table 4. Definitions related to the Municipal Regime 1.6.6. Regulatory Plan as a Land-Use Planning Instrument The Regulatory Plan is the planning and urban management instrument at the local level, in which the policy that guides urban development in a specific territory in the long term is defined. Likewise, it defines the strategic actions to be executed regarding population distribution, land uses, circulation routes, public services, community facilities, construction, and urban renewal. Additionally, it includes the Urban Development Regulations, which are the procedural rules necessary for the proper compliance with the Regulatory Plan and contain standards to promote the following.

 Harmonious relationship between land uses  Convenient access of lots to public roads  Adequate division of lots  Adequate community facilities and public services  Reservation of spaces for public uses  Rehabilitation of areas and prevention of their deterioration  Safety, health, comfort, and appearance of constructions The Urban Development Regulations of a Regulatory Plan are: Zoning, Subdivision (Fraccionamiento) and Urbanizations, Official Map, Urban Renewal, and Constructions. Additionally, other complementary regulations may be included, without prejudice to what is stipulated by the Urban Planning Law (Ley de Planificación Urbana) and other national-level regulations.

The application of the Regulatory Plan, once adopted, is mandatory within the Planning Area, whose delimitation is the competence of the municipal government. The Planning Area is the territory defined by municipal governments to be regulated through the Regulatory Plan, within the limits of their jurisdiction, in accordance with their competencies and authority to plan the adequate development of urban and rural areas. This area may extend to other sectors of the canton when there are justified reasons to implement a specific control regime, as established in Article 15 of the Urban Planning Law (Ley de Planificación Urbana), Law No. 4240.

From a scientific, technical, environmental, economic, social, physical-spatial, and institutional-political point of view, it is advisable for the Planning Area to encompass the entirety of the municipal territorial jurisdiction, meaning the entire territory that makes up all the districts of a canton.

As indicated previously, the planning and management of urban and rural areas is central to land-use planning (ordenamiento territorial), due to its great impact on the population's quality of life, territorial competitiveness, and environmental management.

Through the Regulatory Plan, the relationship between urban areas and other territorial units linked to the Planning Area can be addressed; therefore, it is a means to achieve sustainable development, by allowing the integrated planning and management of urban development and environmental conservation.

Pursuant to Article 62 of the Urban Planning Law (Ley de Planificación Urbana), Law No. 4240, municipalities of contiguous territories may establish agreements to create and maintain joint planning services, as provided in municipal organization laws. This allows two or more municipal governments to collaborate in the preparation of Regulatory Plans, whose Planning Area encompasses the territories of adjacent cantons, with the aim of achieving common goals and overcoming the political-administrative limitations of each canton.

1.6.7. Importance of Regulatory Plans Regulatory Plans are essential tools for the orderly management of the territory, whose purpose is to guide development in a sustainable, equitable, and efficient manner. Their implementation generates multiple benefits that directly contribute to the well-being of communities and the preservation of the environment. Below, some of the key aspects that demonstrate the importance of Regulatory Plans are highlighted: (See Figure 4) 1.6.7.1. Improvement in Quality of Life A well-designed Regulatory Plan establishes criteria for a more orderly and healthy urban and rural environment, which considers adequate access to basic services such as potable water, sanitation, transportation, and public spaces. This results in an increase in the population's quality of life, by reducing problems related to a lack of planning, such as congestion, pollution, and insecurity.

1.6.7.2. Increase in Territorial Competitiveness Territorial competitiveness refers to the capacity of an area to attract and retain investments, generate employment, and improve its economic development. Regulatory Plans allow for the creation of more efficient and attractive territories, by promoting adequate infrastructure, industrial and commercial development zones, as well as access to public services that favor economic, agricultural, tourism, and environmental protection growth. This, in turn, fosters more balanced and prosperous development.

1.6.7.3. Sustainable Use, Management, and Conservation of Natural and Cultural Resources A fundamental aspect of Regulatory Plans is the incorporation of environmental and cultural management into land-use planning (ordenamiento territorial). Measures are established for the protection of soil, natural areas, bodies of water, forest zones, and cultural heritage, ensuring a responsible and sustainable use of these resources. This allows for balancing urban growth with ecosystem conservation, guaranteeing that future generations can enjoy them.

1.6.7.4. Linkage between Urban and Rural Areas Regulatory Plans strengthen the interconnection between urban and rural areas, ensuring integrated and balanced development. This linkage is key to fostering economic and social interaction between both areas, promoting inclusive territorial development that considers both the dynamism of cities and the agricultural and environmental potential of rural areas.

1.6.7.5. Guidance and Control of Urban Development Planning allows for directing urban growth towards suitable areas, avoiding disorderly expansion and the urbanization of vulnerable or unsuitable areas for development. Through zoning, Regulatory Plans determine where and how new constructions, infrastructure, and land uses should be carried out, contributing to controlled and sustainable growth.

1.6.7.6. Promotion of Access to Housing, Infrastructure, and Urban Services Regulatory Plans allow for a better distribution and provision of infrastructure and services to support urban and rural spaces, such as transportation, health, education, and recreational spaces. They also promote the creation of affordable housing for various social groups, guaranteeing that urban development benefits all sectors of the population and not just those with higher incomes.

1.6.7.7. Generation of Investment Opportunities A well-planned territory, with a clear framework for land use and adequate infrastructure, is more attractive to investors. Regulatory Plans create legal certainty for developers and entrepreneurs, facilitating decision-making and project implementation. This generates investment opportunities in sectors such as construction, commerce, industry, and tourism, contributing to local and national economic development.

1.6.7.8. Risk and Water Resource Management Regulatory Plans include the identification of risk zones through the adoption of control measures and the promotion of organization to prevent and mitigate the effects of disasters such as floods, landslides, and earthquakes. They also contemplate actions for preparation, response, and recovery in emergencies, aiming to improve the management of vulnerability conditions of human settlements and infrastructure. Furthermore, they promote the adequate management of water resources, ensuring that access to potable water is efficient and sustainable, and that aquatic ecosystems are protected from overexploitation and pollution.

1.6.8. Integration of the Regulatory Plan with Other Cantonal Planning Instruments With the understanding that the Regulatory Plan is a territorial planning instrument, whose main purpose is to order and manage land use in a determined area, it is fundamental that said plan takes into account other planning instruments that also influence the development and organization of the territory. These instruments may include, but are not limited to: Cantonal or Municipal Development Plan, Cantonal Local Human Development Plan (PCDHL), Municipal Strategic Plan (PEM), Five-Year Road Conservation and Development Plan, Annual Operating Plan (PAO), General Management Plan for Protected Wilderness Areas, Forest Management Plan, Coastal Regulatory Plan, Soil Use, Management, and Conservation Plan, and Municipal Plan for Comprehensive Waste Management.

Likewise, the Regulatory Plan must be articulated with other specific instruments associated with relevant sectoral regulations, such as those established by the National Emergency Council (Consejo Nacional de Emergencias) in matters of risk management, the National System of Conservation Areas (Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación) regarding biodiversity and Protected Wild Areas, and the plans linked to the management of wetlands and other strategic natural resources.

The integration of these diverse instruments is essential to ensure a coherent and harmonized approach in decision-making that promotes balanced and sustainable development. Table 5 presents, in synthesized form, planning instruments that influence the development and organization of the territory.

Table 5. Plans for Local Development in Costa Rica 1.7. PRINCIPLES AND METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH This section establishes essential aspects to guide the process of preparing Regulatory Plans, framed within fundamental principles and a methodological approach that foresee the adequate implementation of local planning instruments.

These aspects seek to promote territorial planning that articulates the action of various institutions and social actors, to ensure sustainability, participation, and respect for the general interest in the adequate development of urban and rural areas of the territory to be planned.

1.7.1. Principles The stated principles provide the ethical and normative framework for territorial planning.

Values such as inter-institutional coordination, the integration of planning instruments, citizen participation, and the pursuit of sustainable development that prioritizes the general interest stand out (See Figure 5).

1.7.1.1. Principle of inter-institutional coordination The planning and management of actions in the territory must be jointly coordinated among institutional actors, respecting the corresponding competencies, in order to act in a coordinated manner, bringing efforts together towards a common goal. It is supported by the content of various regulations and resolutions; some are cited below:

General Regulation of the National Planning System, Executive Decree No. 37735-PLAN "Article 5 – Principles of the SNP. The principles that support the SNP's operation shall be: (…) b) Coordination: the SNP institutions shall act in an articulated manner to achieve the SNP's objectives, with a national, sectoral, and regional vision." Municipal Code, Law No. 7794 "Article 5. - Municipalities shall foster the active, conscious, and democratic participation of the people in local government decisions.

Public institutions shall be obliged to collaborate so that these decisions are duly complied with." National Habitat Policy and Creation of the National Habitat System, Executive Decree No. 43467-MP-MIVAH-MINAE-PLAN-MOPT "Article 5 – Principles of the SNH. The SNH shall be governed by the following principles: a) Coordination: All entities that make up the SNH must articulate their activities for the better fulfillment of the PNH objectives and its Action Plan." Regulation to the Law for the Protection of the Citizen from Excess of Administrative Procedures and Requirements, Executive Decree No. 37045-MP-MEIC "Article 6 – Principles of institutional and inter-institutional coordination. Each office belonging to a Public Administration body must coordinate internally, in order to prevent the administered party from having to go to more than one office to request a procedure or requirement.

The entities and bodies of the Public Administration must act among themselves in a coordinated manner, exchanging the necessary information for the resolution of the procedures filed before their instances.

In order to comply with the principles of institutional and inter-institutional coordination, the Administration must create databases and lists, to which the offices of the same institution and other institutions may have access; inter-institutional agreements must also be implemented for these purposes. In cases where the Administration does not have databases or defined digital forms, other alternative means must be implemented, so that other offices or institutions can have access to the information, with the required security.

The public entities or bodies in charge of collecting sums of money or controlling legal obligations that the administered parties must satisfy or comply with must remit or make available to the rest of the Public Administration, monthly or when requested, the lists or databases where natural or legal persons in default are recorded.

The required assistance and cooperation may only be denied when the entity from which the information is requested has an express legal impediment to grant it. The refusal to provide assistance or cooperation shall be communicated with reasons to the requesting public entity or body.

Communication between administrative bodies shall always be carried out directly, without unnecessary delays, by any means that ensures proof of its receipt.

For such purposes, the required entity or body shall have a period of 3 calendar days to remit the information to the requesting body, unless a longer period is technically justified to remit the information, in which case the extension of the period must be duly motivated and may only be considered for a period equal to the one cited. The extension of the period is considered an exceptional measure that does not empower public entities or bodies to extend the period without motivation.

The inoperability of the system or the institution's refusal to provide the required collaboration does not imply the citizen's obligation to provide the information." Resolution of the Constitutional Chamber No. 5445-99 of July 14, 1999 "XVIII.- ON COORDINATION IN URBAN PLANNING. Article 10, subsections 1) and 2) of the Urban Planning Law, number 4240 and its amendments, is questioned insofar as it subjects local decisions in matters of urban planning to the approval of the Urbanism Directorate; and Articles 16, 17.2, and 18, insofar as they require that regulatory plans must be subject to the objectives of the central bodies. As indicated in Considering Clause X of this judgment, in the matter of urban planning, a relationship of coordination must exist between the various public agencies that have competence over it, given that, even though by constitutional and legal provision its development and application correspond to local governments - as constitutional jurisprudence has repeatedly recognized - it must be ordered according to the directives and general guidelines of the National Urban Development Plan, prepared by the Executive Branch (Urbanism Directorate of the National Institute of Housing and Urbanism and the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Policy), approved by law of the Republic, as stated, and in the absence of such a requirement, by voluntary adherence to it by each municipality.

(…)" 1.7.1.2. Principle of integration Territorial planning and management instruments must be articulated and complement each other, both among different territorial levels and among the different categories and units that affect a territory; as provided in Article 5 of the General Regulation of the National Planning System, Executive Decree No. 37735-PLAN.

"Article 5 – Principles of the SNP. The principles that support the SNP's operation shall be: (…) f) Integration: the SNP institutions and subsystems must harmonize their planning instruments to effectively achieve the established objectives." 1.7.1.3. Principle of citizen participation The active, conscious, and democratic participation of the various social actors must be fostered, favoring their incorporation into decision-making processes, execution of actions, and accountability, as determined by Article 5 of the aforementioned Municipal Code, and the following regulations.

General Regulation of the National Planning System, Executive Decree No. 37735-PLAN "Article 2 – Definitions, abbreviations, and acronyms. The following definitions, abbreviations, and acronyms are established: (…)

• 28)Citizen Participation: set of means aimed at favoring the incorporation of inhabitants and private organizations into public decision-making and accountability processes." "Article 5 – Principles of the SNP. The principles that support the SNP's operation shall be: (…) i) Participation: effective institutional and citizen participation in planning bodies and processes is guaranteed." "Article 16 – Citizen Participation. The SNP institutions shall permanently develop actions for the effective incorporation of social and productive sectors, and inhabitants in general, in the formulation of planning instruments. Public consultations must be carried out for the PEN, PNS, PRD, and PND, prior to their issuance." Organic Environmental Law, No. 7554 "Article 6.- Participation of the inhabitants. The State and the municipalities shall foster the active and organized participation of the inhabitants of the Republic, in decision-making and actions aimed at protecting and improving the environment." "Article 29.- Purposes.

For territorial planning regarding sustainable development, the following purposes shall be considered: (…) d) Promote the active participation of the inhabitants and organized society, in the preparation and application of territorial planning plans and city regulatory plans, to achieve the sustainable use of natural resources." 1.7.1.4. Principle of general interest The prevalence of the general interest over the particular interest must prevail in aspects such as the optimal utilization of land and natural resources, as well as in other central themes for urban and territorial development.

1.7.1.5. Principle of sustainable development Urban planning and management must promote the sustainable transformation of the territory, as mandated by Articles 2 and 29 of the Organic Environmental Law, Law No. 7554; seeking a balance between the economic, social, and environmental dimensions, proposing alternatives that satisfy the needs of the present generation, without compromising the capacity of future generations to satisfy their own needs.

"Article 2.- Principles The principles that inspire this law are the following:

The environment is the common heritage of all the inhabitants of the Nation, with the exceptions established by the Political Constitution, international conventions, and laws. The State and individuals must participate in its sustainable conservation and utilization, which are of public utility and social interest.

Everyone has the right to enjoy a healthy and ecologically sustainable environment for their development, as well as the duty to conserve it, according to Article 50 of our Political Constitution.

The State shall ensure the rational utilization of environmental elements, in order to protect and improve the quality of life of the inhabitants of the national territory. Likewise, it is obliged to promote economically and environmentally sustainable development, understood as development that satisfies basic human needs, without compromising the options of future generations.

Whoever pollutes the environment or causes damage to it shall be responsible, as established by the laws of the Republic and the international conventions in force.

Damage to the environment constitutes a crime of a social nature, because it affects the foundations of society's existence; economic, because it threatens the materials and resources indispensable for productive activities; cultural, insofar as it endangers the way of life of communities; and ethical, because it threatens the very existence of present and future generations.

The State shall promote, through its institutions, the implementation of an information system with environmental indicators, intended to measure the evolution and correlation with economic and social indicators for the country." "Article 29.- Purposes. For territorial planning regarding sustainable development, the following purposes shall be considered: (…) c) Balance the sustainable development of the different zones of the country." 1.7.2. Methodological Approach The methodological approach combines multidisciplinary and systemic perspectives, ensuring that the territory is addressed as an integrated system. A continuous, adaptable, and prospective planning is proposed, capable of responding to contextual transformations and promoting a concerted development vision among all involved actors. The following are the approaches that guide the preparation of Regulatory Plans based on this Manual.

1.7.2.1. Multidisciplinary and systemic approach The territory is addressed from multiple perspectives and disciplines in a systemic manner, considering the interconnections between the various territorial levels and units, as well as between internal and external elements and processes.

1.7.2.2. Continuous, prospective, and adaptable approach Territorial planning and management is a sustained exercise over time through which strategies are proposed to achieve a collectively concerted vision of future development.

Furthermore, it implies an exercise of constant adaptation to the inherent transformations of the territory.

Chapter two comprehensively addresses the process of preparing the Regulatory Plan, breaking down each stage and the essential elements that comprise it. Throughout its content, the types of regulatory plans, the expected deliverable products, and the modalities of preparation are developed, considering specific scenarios for their implementation. Likewise, the stages of the process are presented, from the preliminary preparation to the final proposal, including the Incorporation of the Environmental Variable, the Territorial Diagnosis and Prognosis, the Urban Development Policy, and the Urban Development Regulations; as well as matters related to holding the Public Hearing.

2.1. TYPES OF REGULATORY PLAN BASED ON THE PLANNING AREA The classification of Regulatory Plans based on the Planning Area is based on the territorial scope over which their provisions are applied, considering municipal competencies and the particularities of the territory. This classification distinguishes between a Total Regulatory Plan and a Partial Regulatory Plan, depending on whether the regulated area covers the entirety or only a portion of the Canton's Planifiable Area.

To understand the logic behind this distinction, it is necessary to identify the concepts that define the intervention areas and their relationship with the planning instruments: the Canton Area, the Canton's Planifiable Area, and the Planning Area, which determine the limits, extent, and objectives of the planning process. (See Figure 6) Below are the definitions that support this classification.

 Canton Area: The total territorial extent of a canton, officially delimited through legal provisions. It may include both urban and rural areas, and is under the jurisdiction of the corresponding municipal government for its administration and regulation, in accordance with the Costa Rican regulatory framework.

 Canton's Planifiable Area: Portion of a canton's territory that can be regulated through territorial planning instruments within the framework of municipal competencies. It includes urban and rural sectors, and may encompass the entirety of the canton or specific zones delimited according to particular needs. It excludes areas subject to special regimes, such as the State Natural Heritage, Protected Wild Areas, Indigenous Territories, Border Zones, and the Maritime-Terrestrial Zone. Its delimitation responds to the provisions of the Urban Planning Law, Law No. 4240, and aims to guide development within the cantonal sphere.

 Planning Area: It is the territory delimited by the municipal governments to be regulated through the local planning instrument, within their jurisdiction and in exercise of their competencies to order the development of urban and rural areas. This area may extend to other sectors of the canton when justified reasons exist to apply a specific control regime, in accordance with Article 15 of the Urban Planning Law, Law No. 4240.

Regulatory Plans are classified into two types, based on the scope of the Planning Area: Total Regulatory Plan and Partial Regulatory Plan. Below are the definitions of each, describing their characteristics and relationship with the Planning Area. (See Figure 7)  Total Regulatory Plan: A planning instrument that covers the entirety of the Canton's Planifiable Area and establishes guidelines for population distribution, land use, infrastructure, public services; with the purpose of coordinating the sustainable development of the entire territory. It is also known as the Cantonal Regulatory Plan or Complete Regulatory Plan.

 Partial Regulatory Plan: A local planning instrument that is applied to a portion of the Canton's Planifiable Area, instead of covering its entirety; it focuses on areas that require detailed attention due to unique conditions or special needs, guiding their development and resource management in a focused manner.

The selection between a Total Regulatory Plan and a Partial Regulatory Plan depends on the territorial context, the strategic priorities, and the specific needs of the canton. When the Planning Area coincides with the entirety of the Canton's Planifiable Area, the Regulatory Plan prepared is classified as a Total Regulatory Plan, as it comprehensively regulates all the sectors that make up the regulable territory. On the other hand, if the Planning Area is circumscribed only to specific portions of the Planifiable Area, it is classified as a Partial Regulatory Plan, focused on addressing areas with particular situations or specific needs. Both instruments are essential tools for territorial planning, based on the current regulatory framework, adapted to the social, economic, and environmental dynamics of the canton.

2.2. DELIVERABLE PRODUCTS OF THE REGULATORY PLAN In accordance with the Urban Planning Law, Law No. 4240, the process of preparing a Regulatory Plan contemplates fundamental deliverable products: Territorial Diagnosis, Territorial Prognosis, Urban Development Policy, and Urban Development Regulations. These products represent key components of the planning process, essential for the effective implementation of Regulatory Plans in the territories. (See Figure 8) Each of these products, their objectives, and specific functions in the planning process are described below.

2.2.1. Territorial Diagnosis Answers the question: Where are we? The diagnosis is the foundation of the Regulatory Plan, as it provides an in-depth understanding of the current situation of the Area to be Planned. This product involves collecting and analyzing relevant information to identify the characteristics, problems, and potentialities of the territory. Numeral 2.8 of MAPRIOT addresses in detail the requirements of the Diagnosis.

 Objective of the Diagnosis: To provide a comprehensive vision of the current state of the Area to be Planned, identifying the problems to be solved and the available resources to effectively guide future territorial development.

2.2.2. Territorial Prognosis Answers the question: Where could we go? The prognosis focuses on projecting current trends into the future, considering different possible scenarios. This stage allows anticipating the challenges and opportunities that could arise if current conditions are maintained or if significant changes occur. Numeral 2.9 of MAPRIOT addresses in detail the requirements of the prognosis.

 Objective of the Prognosis: To anticipate the possible evolution scenarios of the area to be planned in order to prepare for future challenges, allowing proactive planning that promotes sustainable development and minimizes risks.

2.2.3. Urban Development Policy Answers the question: Where do we want to go? The policy establishes the shared vision of the desired future for the Area to be Planned. It defines the objectives and goals that will guide territorial planning and management actions. Numeral 2.10.1 of MAPRIOT addresses in detail the requirements of the Urban Development Policy.

- Objective of the Urban Development Policy: Establish a strategic framework that guides the decision-making and actions necessary to achieve the community's desired future in the Planning Area.

2.2.4. Urban Development Regulations Answers the question: How do we get there? Urban Development Regulations translate the policy and objectives established into concrete rules and regulations that guide land use (uso del suelo) and activities for the appropriate development between urban and rural environments. Regulations are legal instruments that allow the Regulatory Plan to be implemented effectively. The requirements of the Urban Development Regulations are addressed in detail in section 2.10.2 of the MAPRIOT.

- Objective of the Urban Development Regulations: Provide a normative framework that facilitates the implementation of the vision and objectives of the Regulatory Plan.

2.3. MODALITIES FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE REGULATORY PLAN The preparation of the Regulatory Plan is an essential process for the territorial planning of a canton, as it ensures that land use and urban and rural growth adapt to the current and future needs of the community, complying with regulatory and environmental provisions. This process can be addressed through three modalities, depending on the territorial situation and the status of the canton's Regulatory Plan, if one exists. (See Figure 9) The modalities of Formulation, Update, and Modification of the Regulatory Plan are defined below, detailing their characteristics, purposes, and specific implications.

- Regulatory Plan Formulation:

Is one of the modalities for preparing a Regulatory Plan, to be implemented in a territory that does not have one previously established. It involves the comprehensive development of the Territorial Diagnosis, the Forecast, the Urban Development Policy, and the Urban Development Regulations, as well as the incorporation of the environmental variable according to the technical procedures defined by SETENA, for the purpose of obtaining approval of the Environmental Viability.

- Regulatory Plan Update: Is one of the modalities for preparing a Regulatory Plan, through which the existing local planning instrument is reviewed and adjusted, for one or more of the following purposes: expanding the Planning Area, adapting it to new territorial conditions or changes in environmental provisions. It involves the partial or comprehensive update of the Territorial Diagnosis, the Forecast, the Urban Development Policy, and the Urban Development Regulations, as well as the incorporation of the environmental variable according to the technical procedures defined by SETENA, for the purpose of obtaining approval or update of the Environmental Viability.

- Regulatory Plan Modification: Is one of the modalities for preparing a Regulatory Plan, which seeks to make specific adjustments to the existing local planning instrument, aimed at resolving particular situations, such as modifying the urban development regulations, adapting certain provisions of the plan to regulatory changes, or new needs detected in specific areas of the territory, without altering the planning area or its general structure, provided they do not involve alterations to the granted Environmental Viability. It involves only the development or justification of specific aspects covered by the nature of the modification, whether the Territorial Diagnosis, the Forecast, the Urban Development Policy, or the Urban Development Regulations. For the management of any modification, an indication from SETENA is required stating that what is proposed does not require an alteration to the Environmental Viability granted to the instrument; if said entity indicates that adjustments to the environmental studies must be made, it is appropriate to process the proposal under the modality of Regulatory Plan Update.

2.4. ALTERNATIVES FOR APPROACHING THE PREPARATION OF THE REGULATORY PLAN Depending on the situation in which the territory finds itself, the municipality must choose to formulate, update, or modify the Regulatory Plan. The possible alternatives are described below according to the context of the territory, the recommended actions, and the corresponding category for the review process. It is clarified that, for each of the approaches, the Environmental Viability refers to the Proposal of the Regulatory Plan. (See Figure 10) 2.4.1. Municipalities without a Regulatory Plan Municipalities that do not have a Regulatory Plan face the scenario of lacking local regulations to guide the territory's development.

- Recommended action: Initiate the Regulatory Plan preparation process from scratch. It is recommended to opt for a Total Regulatory Plan. - Category for the Review Process: Regulatory Plan Formulation 2.4.2. Municipalities with a Partial Regulatory Plan (PRP) without Environmental Viability Municipalities with a Partial Regulatory Plan (PRP) without Environmental Viability, although they have tools to manage part of the territory, must work on obtaining the Environmental Viability to maximize its effectiveness and ensure comprehensive management.

- Recommended action: Update the Regulatory Plan to obtain the Environmental Viability; evaluate whether it is advisable to convert the Partial Regulatory Plan (PRP) into a Total Regulatory Plan (PRT), covering the entire Planifiable Area of the canton. - Category for the Review Process: Regulatory Plan Update 2.4.3. Municipalities with a Partial Regulatory Plan (PRP) with Environmental Viability Municipalities with a Partial Regulatory Plan (PRP) and granted Environmental Viability can guide the canton's development in the planned areas. For the rest of the territory, they must apply national-level norms.

- Recommended action 1: Evaluate the possibility of converting the Partial Regulatory Plan (PRP) into a Total Regulatory Plan (PRT), thus covering the entirety of the canton's Planifiable Area. To carry out this action, the Incorporation of the Environmental Variable must be managed before SETENA for the additional areas to be planned. - Category for the Review Process: Regulatory Plan Update (PRT) - Recommended action 2: Evaluate the possibility of modifying the Partial Regulatory Plan (PRP). For this action, the Planning Area is not changed. - Category for the Review Process: Regulatory Plan Modification (MPR) 2.4.4. Municipalities with a Total Regulatory Plan (PRT) without Environmental Viability Municipalities with a Total Regulatory Plan (PRT), without Environmental Viability, have tools to manage the entire territory. However, to maximize the plan's effectiveness and ensure comprehensive management, they must incorporate the Environmental Variable into the local planning instrument.

- Recommended action: Update the Total Regulatory Plan to incorporate the Environmental Variable, covering the entire canton. - Category for the Review Process: Regulatory Plan Update.

2.4.5. Municipalities with a Total Regulatory Plan (PRT) with Environmental Viability These municipalities have a current Total Regulatory Plan (PRT) and Environmental Viability, which allows them to comprehensively manage their territory and develop projects in an orderly manner and in compliance with regulations.

- Recommended action 1: Monitor and evaluate the current Regulatory Plan and establish periods for its respective Modification, when it does not imply altering the granted Environmental Viability. - Category for the Review Process: Regulatory Plan Modification - Recommended action 2: Evaluate the possibility of updating the Total Regulatory Plan (PRT), once the timeframe has been fulfilled or given the need for a comprehensive reform. - Category for the Review Process: Regulatory Plan Update 2.4.6. Additional considerations in approaching the preparation of the Regulatory Plan In the event that there is any particularity not contemplated in the assumptions presented above, it is essential that it be analyzed in detail with the corresponding reviewing entities, whether the INVU or SETENA. These entities will evaluate the particular case and provide the necessary guidance to ensure that the Regulatory Plan complies with current regulations and the specific conditions of the canton. Any variation or special situation must be duly addressed in collaboration with said authorities for the formulation, update, and modification of the local planning instrument.

According to current regulations and the votes of the Constitutional Chamber mentioned in the Legal Framework of this Manual, it is mandatory for cantons that lack Environmental Viability in their Regulatory Plans, or those that have no planning instrument, to incorporate the environmental variable when formulating, updating, or modifying their regulatory plan.

Municipalities must decide whether it is more appropriate to prepare a Partial Regulatory Plan, focusing on specific areas with particular needs, or a Total Regulatory Plan that covers the entire canton.

The assumptions related to approaching the Preparation of a Regulatory Plan are systematized below in Table 6, describing the scenario, the recommended action, and the categorization of the process.

Table 6. Scenarios for approaching the Preparation of the Regulatory Plan 2.5. PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION, REVIEW, AND ADOPTION OF THE REGULATORY PLAN As part of the contents of this chapter, the seven stages for the preparation of the Regulatory Plan are developed starting from section 2.6. Chapter 3 describes the process for its review, and chapter 4 addresses the adoption process by the Municipal Council. Given the relevance of these three phases, a diagram is presented summarizing their main stages and steps. (See Figure 11).

2.6. STAGE 1: PRELIMINARY PREPARATION Stage 1: Preliminary Preparation is fundamental to establishing the necessary conditions for the formulation, update, or modification of a Regulatory Plan. In this stage, the municipal government organizes the basic elements that will guide the entire process, from the constitution of the Local Territorial Planning Body, to the delimitation of the Planning Area and the implementation of a Citizen Participation Strategy. Additionally, key aspects are contemplated such as the estimation of the global budget, financing management, and the definition of guidelines for the Planning Team. Each of these preliminary activities is essential to ensure that the Regulatory Plan is developed in an orderly, transparent manner with the proper participation of the community, thus strengthening the municipal capacity to plan sustainable and equitable urban and rural development.

(See Figure 12) 2.6.1. Designation of the Local Territorial Planning Body

4240 allows the Municipal Government to form bodies for the purpose of participating in the process of formulating, updating, or modifying the Regulatory Plan; although such regulation does not detail many aspects of its constitution, recently the Attorney General's Office has specified guidelines on the matter in opinions No. PGR-C-250-2023 of November 29, 2023 and No. PGR-C-249-2024 of October 28, 2024, taken into account in the text of this Manual.

The formation of the Local Territorial Planning Body can correspond to at least one of the following groupings: (See Figure 13) Local Territorial Planning Office: Involves the creation of an internal municipal office, made up of staff members.

Local Territorial Planning Commission: Involves the formation of a special working commission, of a representative consultative nature, with the participation of council members, municipal staff, and community residents.

Local Territorial Planning Board: Comprises the formation of a collegiate body of a representative decisional nature, with the participation of council members, municipal staff, and community residents.

The Urban Planning Law does not expressly designate which dependency must authorize the formation of these groupings; therefore, this task corresponds to the president of the Municipal Council, according to articles 13 and 14 of the Municipal Code.

Both with the establishment of the Local Territorial Planning Commission and the Board, it is sought that the decisions related to the preparation of the Regulatory Plan respond to the technical interests of the municipality and the needs of the community. It is determined for both cases, according to the Urban Planning Law, that those who make up these working groups serve ad honorem.

2.6.1.1. Formation of the Local Territorial Planning Body.

It is formed in accordance with the provisions of the Urban Planning Law, Law No. 4240 and the Municipal Code, Law No. 7794. It must have a minimum of three and a maximum of seven members.

In the case of a Local Territorial Planning Office, it is the responsibility of the Municipal Council to approve its creation, according to a formal proposal prepared by a department or directorate pertaining to urban planning and territorial planning matters.

When it is a Commission or Board, the following actors must be contemplated:

- Council Members: Designated by the president of the Municipal Council, representing the political plurality of the Council. - Municipal Staff: Technical personnel from the municipality, who contribute specialized knowledge in urban and territorial planning. - Canton Residents: Representatives of community stakeholders who participate voluntarily, ensuring that the Regulatory Plan's decisions reflect the population's needs.

For the constitution, operation, and integration of the Office, Commission, or Board, it is the Municipal Council's responsibility to establish a regulation governing them, according to article 50 of the Municipal Code, where the requirements, conditions, and other aspects related to the selection of members and their operation are established; also differentiating the following procedures:

- Appointment of new personnel: Corresponds to following the regular and official procedures established for such purposes by the respective municipality. - Appointment of municipal staff members and council members: This process is direct, as the selected members have an existing administrative relationship with the municipality, which facilitates their designation. - Appointment of community representatives: This process is different, given that it involves the voluntary participation of citizens. It is carried out through a participatory process regulated by the Municipal Council, which ensures transparency and equal opportunities for interested citizens.

The integration of the Local Territorial Planning Body is an exclusive attribution of the Presidency of the Municipal Council, outside the competencies of the Municipal Council; however, the issuance and approval of the regulations pertaining to the Body is the responsibility of the latter.

The appointment period for the persons who make up the Body must coincide with that of the Municipal Corporation that designates them, and they may be reelected.

It is possible for the Local Territorial Planning Body to have advisors, municipal staff members, or private individuals, who attend the sessions in that capacity, provided their participation is regulated in the respective regulation, making it clear that only official members, appointed by the Presidency of the Municipal Council, have the right to vote.

The sessions held within the Body are public in nature, so interested persons can attend and learn about what is addressed there; however, participation is limited to the members and to private individuals who are summoned as advisors; additionally, it is noted that the sessions must be broadcast live through digital media, in order to safeguard the protection of the principles of publicity and transparency, as expressed by the Constitutional Chamber in Resolutions No. 20438-2024 and No. 22577-2024.

2.6.1.2. Functions of the Local Territorial Planning Body The main functions of the Local Territorial Planning Body include, in any of the modalities provided above, the following:

- Preparation of the Regulatory Plan: Support the Planning Team in the processes for formulating, updating, or modifying the local planning instrument. - Monitoring and Evaluation: After the adoption of the Regulatory Plan, it can supervise the Plan's implementation and suggest adjustments for updates or modifications when necessary. - Liaison between the Community and the Municipality: Facilitate that the voices of the community are heard and considered in territorial planning decisions.

2.6.2. Management of financial resources to formulate, update, or modify the Regulatory Plan To formulate, update, or modify a Regulatory Plan, the municipality requires adequate planning and management of financial resources. This process includes both the estimation of a global budget that allows projecting the costs associated with each deliverable product, and the definition of the financing sources necessary to cover said costs.

2.6.2.1. Global Budget Estimation The Global Budget estimation allows the municipality to project the necessary financing to prepare the deliverable products, whether for the formulation, update, or modification of the Regulatory Plan. This budget seeks to foresee the financial resources that will be necessary, facilitating the management and allocation of funds to ensure the complete execution of each product.

For budget estimation, it is advisable to break down costs into categories that reflect the specific needs of each required product of the Regulatory Plan, such as:

Incorporation of the Environmental Variable, Territorial Diagnosis, Territorial Forecast, Urban Development Policy, and Urban Development Regulations; as well as any other required according to the necessity or requirement for each canton.

The preparation of a well-structured Global Budget allows the municipality to efficiently manage the necessary resources for each product and facilitates the request for external financing if required.

2.6.2.2. Financing Management Once the Global Budget is prepared, it is recommended that the municipality evaluate the possibility of financing the development of the Regulatory Plan with its own resources. In the event that municipal resources are not sufficient, the municipality can manage the necessary mechanisms to obtain financing from other sources, such as the Institute for Municipal Development and Advisory (IFAM), the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Policy (MIDEPLAN), or other financial entities.

It is important that, before starting the operational stages of the Plan, the municipality has an assured financing source to cover the costs of all the products that make up the preparation of the Regulatory Plan. This financial backing anticipates that the preparation of the Regulatory Plan can be completed without interruptions and facilitates more stable and efficient planning of resources, contributing to maintaining the quality of each deliverable product.

As part of the transparency processes in public management, it is important to implement a system for monitoring and controlling the managed financial resources, ensuring responsible administration of the funds. Transparency in the use of resources strengthens the trust of the involved actors. (See Figure 14) 2.6.3. Preliminary Delimitation of the Planning Area To formulate, update, or modify a Regulatory Plan, the municipal government must preliminarily establish the territory that will be subject to planning, called the Planning Area. This delimitation, which is carried out within the limits of the municipal jurisdiction, must be oriented according to the objective of implementing a Total Regulatory Plan or a Partial Regulatory Plan. The Total Regulatory Plan is a planning instrument that covers the entirety of the Planifiable Area of the Canton and establishes guidelines for population distribution, land use, infrastructure, and public services, with the purpose of coordinating the sustainable development of the entire territory. On the other hand, the Partial Regulatory Plan is applied to a specific portion of the Planifiable Area of the Canton that presents unique conditions or special needs and guides its development and resource management in a focused manner.

The preliminary delimitation of the Planning Area establishes a precise framework to guide planning decisions in the territory, ensuring adequate coordination among urban development, land use, and the management of infrastructure and public services. Furthermore, a delimitation based on official sources of geographical boundaries facilitates the integration of relevant territorial information, optimizes the allocation of municipal resources, and guarantees that the Regulatory Plan responds to the particularities of the territory in a sustainable manner and in accordance with current regulations. (See Figure 15) 2.6.3.1. Elements for Preliminary Delimitation It is suggested that the delimitation of the Planning Area be carried out considering key aspects that ensure territorial accuracy and compliance with legal provisions. To this end, it is advisable for the municipality to identify and describe:

- Geographical and political-administrative limits of the area. - Geographic coordinates, using the CRTM-05 system or the official projection in force. - Localities or neighborhoods that comprise the Planning Area, to facilitate their identification and adequate development. - Reference points that allow a clear and detailed location of the area in the cantonal context. - In the event that there are Areas Under Special Regime (ABRE) within the canton, these must be excluded from the Planning Area and be clearly indicated on the official maps of the Regulatory Plan.

2.6.4. Definition of the Planning Team For the formulation, update, or modification of the Regulatory Plan, the municipal government must choose who will assume the role of Planning Team, defined as a multidisciplinary group of professionals designated or contracted by the municipality. This team is responsible for executing the comprehensive process or specific tasks, focused on the preparation of the Plan's deliverable products, in accordance with current regulations.

The options for forming the Planning Team are: (See Figure 16) 2.6.4.1. Designate the Local Territorial Planning Body Entails designating the Local Territorial Planning Body as the Planning Team, which can be structured in the following ways:

- Local Territorial Planning Office: Involves the creation of an internal municipal office, made up of staff members. - Local Territorial Planning Commission: Involves the formation of a special working commission, of a representative consultative nature, with the participation of council members, municipal staff, and community residents. - Local Territorial Planning Board: Involves the formation of a collegiate body of a representative decisional nature, with the participation of council members, municipal staff, and community residents.

2.6.4.2. Contract INVU as the Planning Team The external contracting of INVU as the Planning Team, in accordance with article 61 of the Urban Planning Law, Law No. 4240, is an option available to the municipality provided that INVU acts as the offeror. For this assumption, the Attorney General's Office, in Opinion No. C-341-2020 of August 27, 2020, concluded: "Considering the technical specialty of urban plans and the cohesion with the national urban plan, the legislator foresaw the possibility that local governments may contract INVU for the preparation of urban planning projects (article 61 of the Urban Planning Law) (...) In order of the eventual dual function of INVU - regarding preparing the regulatory plan for the municipality and subsequently granting its approval -, this Attorney General's Office does not appreciate the existence of a conflict of interest or incompatibility in exercising such function.

This based on the exegesis of the approval process of regulatory plans before INVU." 2.6.4.3. Contract specialized consulting firms as the Planning Team Contracting one or more specialized consulting firms as the Planning Team, in accordance with article 61 of the Urban Planning Law, Law No. 4240, is considered an external contracting. This mechanism allows the municipality to access specialized professional services for the formulation, update, or modification of the Regulatory Plan.

In the second and third options, it is advisable for the Planning Team (Equipo Planificador) to receive support and follow-up from the Local Territorial Planning Body (Órgano Local de Planificación Territorial) during the contract's validity period. The Planning Team is made up of professionals specialized in different areas, whose selection is not a mere administrative contracting procedure, but rather the rigor in their selection is decisive in generating the expected products. It is advisable for the multidisciplinary work of the Planning Team to be led by a coordinator who has proven experience in urban planning, land-use planning (ordenamiento territorial), project administration, and a general knowledge of the work of each of the disciplines represented on the Planning Team.

MAPRIOT recommends assigning the following responsibilities to the coordinator:

- Develop and supervise the Work Plan and the Schedule, ensuring compliance with deadlines.

- Assign responsibilities for the preparation of deliverable products.

- Develop and apply the general planning methodology for the formulation, updating, or modification of the Regulatory Plan.

- Coordinate the Incorporation of the Environmental Variable, when applicable.

- Supervise the preparation of the Territorial Diagnosis, ensuring it adequately reflects the current conditions and needs of the territory.

- Direct the development of the Territorial Forecast, promoting a trend analysis that allows for anticipating future challenges and opportunities in the area to be planned.

- Lead the formulation of the Urban Development Policy, aligning planning objectives and goals with a shared development vision.

- Supervise the preparation of the Urban Development Regulations.

- Follow up on and coordinate the reviews of the Regulatory Plan before SETENA, guaranteeing the incorporation of environmental requirements into the Plan.

- Coordinate the follow-up of reviews before the INVU when contracted as a Planning Team, and in all cases manage the final review of the proposal, ensuring it meets the urban and territorial planning requirements established by the institution.

- Monitor and coordinate the follow-up of the Public Hearing, including the compilation of observations and their integration into the final proposal, reflecting a participatory and inclusive process.

- Submit reports and results to the Local Territorial Planning Body at each delivery stage, including intermediate products, for periodic review and the incorporation of feedback.

- Coordinate the review and systematization of observations from the Public Hearing.

It is advisable for all members of the Planning Team to participate in working sessions throughout the entire process of developing the Plan, up to its conclusion, including the Public Hearing; reaching a consensus on and collectively validating all generated products. As a result, a product is expected that is jointly developed by a multidisciplinary team, in which all variables, themes, and axes have been sufficiently discussed and considered within the Planning Team, in addition to being contrasted, agreed upon, and validated with the social actors linked to the Planning Area.

2.6.5. Elaboration of guidelines for the selection of the Planning Team This section establishes the necessary guidelines for the selection and operation of the Planning Team, which can be formed internally through the Local Territorial Planning Body, or contracted externally through the INVU or specialized consulting firms.

The specific guidelines for each modality seek to ensure that the Planning Team meets the objectives, responsibilities, and deliverable products defined for the formulation, updating, or modification of the Regulatory Plan, in accordance with current regulations.

2.6.5.1. Local Territorial Planning Body as Planning Team In the event that the municipality designates the Local Territorial Planning Body as the Planning Team, the municipality does not need to prepare the Tender Specifications for external contracting, as it is a function assigned internally.

In this context, it is advisable to prepare a Work Plan that guides the activities of the body, adjusted to the functions and responsibilities established in the Urban Planning Law, the Municipal Code, and the regulations approved by the Municipal Council for the operation of the Body. (See Figure 17) Given the designation of the Local Territorial Planning Body as the Planning Team, it is recommended to include the following aspects in the Work Plan guidelines:

- Objectives and Scope: Specify the objectives of the formulation, updating, or modification of the Regulatory Plan, guiding the team toward the development of deliverable products that respond to the needs of the territory and compliance with regulations.

- Roles and Responsibilities: Define the functions of each member of the Local Body, including the assignment of specific tasks in data collection, diagnosis, proposal formulation, and the integration of citizen participation. Members may include council members, municipal technical staff, and community representatives. It is essential to establish mechanisms for addressing observations generated from the public hearing process, also contemplating the adjustments that must be made to the deliverable products associated with the Regulatory Plan proposal.

- Schedule and Execution Deadlines: Establish a schedule with dates for each stage of the project and the respective deliverable products, defining times for the review of partial and final products. The deadlines must reflect the body's commitment to the continuity and efficiency of the process.

- Methodology and Procedures: Detail the analysis techniques and tools to be used.

- Citizen Participation: Define the strategy and methodology for integrating citizen participation throughout the process, as well as everything related to the Public Hearing.

2.6.5.2. External Contracting of the Planning Team When the municipality chooses to contract the INVU or specialized consulting firms as the Planning Team for the formulation, updating, or modification of the Regulatory Plan, the Tender Specifications constitute the key document that establishes the requirements, scopes, and responsibilities of the Team; its proper formulation guarantees that the contracted team understands the plan's objectives, the specific activities and deliverables, as well as the technical and administrative standards it must meet.

For the preparation of the Tender Specifications, it is recommended that the municipality conduct a market study in accordance with the provisions of Articles 17 and 34 of the General Public Procurement Law, Law No. 9986, as well as Articles 44 and 85 of its Regulations, Executive Decree No. 43808. This measure will allow for obtaining a preliminary estimate of the deadlines and costs associated with the development of the Regulatory Plan, thus facilitating more precise and efficient planning of the process.

The following are the essential elements recommended for the Tender Specifications:

- Introduction and justification: The introduction must include a description of the general context of the territory to be planned, providing a view of its physical, social, economic, and environmental characteristics, as well as the main challenges and opportunities to be addressed through the Regulatory Plan. Furthermore, the Tender Specifications must specify the general objective of the plan and its role in land-use planning, establishing the role of this instrument in the regulation and management of the territory. It is also important to justify the contracting of the team, explaining the need for external specialists due to the required technical competencies and the limited operational capacity of the municipality.

- Specific Objectives of the Consultancy. Define specific objectives that will guide the team's work for the preparation of the deliverable products according to the formulation, updating, or modification of the Regulatory Plan.

- Scope of Work and Deliverable Products. Include a detailed description of the activities necessary for the preparation of the deliverable products in accordance with current regulations, such as: the Incorporation of the Environmental Variable, the Territorial Diagnosis, the Territorial Forecast, the Urban Development Policy, the Urban Development Regulations, components of the Cartographic Atlases in editable format; the foregoing depending on the case for the formulation, updating, or modification of the Regulatory Plan. It is also essential to specify the expected products at each stage and the guidelines for citizen participation, including reports, as well as the delivery formats for each product.

- Composition and Profile of the Planning Team. Specify the recommended disciplines and specialties necessary for the planning team, such as architecture, civil engineering, geography, cartography, law, economics, agronomy, geology, surveying, biology, forestry engineering, archaeology, communication, sociology, economic and social planning, social work, anthropology, or another discipline of the social sciences; according to the size and complexity of the planning area. Furthermore, it is important to describe the minimum experience requirements and academic qualifications for each member, guaranteeing the technical competence of the team. It is expected that the professionals have proven experience in urban planning, land-use planning (ordenamiento territorial) and, preferably, in participatory processes. In addition, it is recommended that the team be composed of professionals with experience in multidisciplinary work and the ability to use transdisciplinary language, facilitating communication and coordination among specialists from different areas.

- Work Methodology. Request a methodological proposal that covers each stage of the project, detailing techniques and tools. It is essential that the methodology can adapt to possible changes.

- Schedule and Execution Deadlines. Establish a schedule with specific times for each stage and deliverable products, with defined dates for the review of intermediate and final products. It is also important to include key milestones for evaluating the project's progress.

- Budget and Payment Schemes. Include a detailed cost estimate per stage of the project and the deliverable products thereof. A payment scheme linked to the delivery of specific products approved by the municipality is advisable.

- _________Evaluation Mechanisms and Quality Control. Define evaluation indicators to review the quality of the products and establish a continuous feedback system. Include a quality control plan to ensure that the products meet regulatory standards.

- Coordination with the Local Territorial Planning Body. Establish the coordination mechanisms that must be set up between the Planning Team and the Local Territorial Planning Body, in order for the latter to carry out its work within the process of formulation, updating, or modification of the Regulatory Plan.

- Administrative and Contractual Conditions. Specify the duration of the contract and the scope of services. Include conditions of confidentiality, ownership of information, and criteria for the early termination or extension of the contract, contemplating the delivery of all deliverable products in editable format.

- Roles and Responsibilities. Detail the team's responsibilities in each phase, including the delivery of products. Likewise, define the functions of the coordinator and clarify that the work does not conclude until final approval of the Regulatory Plan by the INVU is obtained. It is essential to establish the mechanisms for addressing observations generated from the public hearing process, also contemplating the adjustments that must be made to the deliverable products associated with the Regulatory Plan proposal.

To select the Planning Team in the case of external contracting, it is recommended that the municipality evaluate the proposals received according to the established Tender Specifications. The offers may be submitted by the INVU or by consulting firms, in accordance with Article 61 of the Urban Planning Law. In the selection process, the quality and experience of the team, the coherence of the proposed methodology, the cost breakdown, and the execution schedule must be reviewed. It is recommended to formally contract the offer that is most suitable according to the review parameters defined by the municipality, ensuring constant communication and timely adjustments based on observations during the development of the Regulatory Plan. (See Figure 18) 2.6.6. Citizen Participation Strategy in the Regulatory Plan The Citizen Participation Strategy refers to the set of guidelines and general objectives that define why and for what purpose citizens are involved in the process of preparing the plan.

Citizen participation is a fundamental principle in the formulation of public policies, planning instruments, and regulations, as it allows social actors to express their needs and present their points of view on territorial development. Through this Strategy, the aim is to define how and when communities participate in the process of formulating, updating, or modifying the local planning instrument.

The objective of the Strategy is not only to comply with the legal requirements for citizen participation but also to strengthen the sense of belonging and legitimacy in the community, generating trust and promoting informed and agreed-upon decisions.

2.6.6.1. Legal basis of Citizen Participation The right to participation in Costa Rica finds its legal backing in the Costa Rican regulatory framework, with the Political Constitution being its greatest reference point, which mentions in Article 9 the following:

"Article 9.- The Government of the Republic is popular, representative, participatory, alternative, and accountable. It is exercised by the people and three separate and independent Powers (...)".

Likewise, the National Planning Law, Law No. 5525, underscores the importance of citizen participation as one of the fundamental objectives of the National Planning System. In its Articles 1 and 19, it seeks to promote the inclusion of citizens in decision-making processes.

"Article 1.- A National Planning System is established which will have the following objectives:

(...)

• c)To promote an ever-increasing participation of citizens in the solution of economic and social problems".

"Article 19.- In order to foster the broadest participation of public and private sectors in the national planning task and to provide unity and coherence to this task, the Executive Branch will establish advisory councils, coordination committees, and consultative commissions (...)".

Furthermore, the Urban Planning Law, in its Article 17, subsection a), establishes that, before proceeding with the implementation of a Regulatory Plan or any part thereof, the municipality must carry out a public hearing process. This process is essential to ensure that the community has the opportunity to actively participate in urban development planning.

" Article 17. Prior to implementing a regulatory plan or any part thereof, the municipality intending it must a) Convene a public hearing by means of the Official Gazette and additional necessary dissemination with an indication of the location, date, and time to learn about the project and the verbal or written observations that the residents or interested parties may wish to formulate. The notification must be made no less than fifteen business days in advance; (...)" Within the binding regulations, the Organic Environmental Law, Law No. 7554, stands out; its Article 6 promotes the active participation of citizens, which contributes to generating greater awareness of the importance of sustainability and shared responsibility in preserving the nation's natural heritage.

"Article 6. Right to Participate. The State and the Municipalities shall promote the active and organized participation of the inhabitants of the republic in decision-making and actions aimed at protecting and improving the environment" Consistently, the Biodiversity Law, Law No. 7788, within the objectives stipulated in Article 10, subsection 2), mentions the relevance of active participation by society.

"Article 10. Objectives. This law seeks to achieve the following objectives:

(...)

2. Promote the active participation of all social sectors in the conservation and ecologically sustainable use of biodiversity, to procure social, economic, and cultural sustainability".

For its part, the Wildlife Conservation Law, Law No. 7317, recognizes the crucial role of citizen participation in wildlife conservation, fostering collaboration between the State, local communities, and non-governmental organizations "Article 7. The National System of Conservation Areas of the Ministry of Environment and Energy has the following functions in the exercise of its competence:

(...)

• l)Promote the responsible participation of people, individually or collectively, in the preservation and restoration of ecological balance and the protection of the environment".

The Law on the Use, Management, and Conservation of Soils, Law No. 7779, in its Article 2, subsection d), states:

"Article 2. This law has the following specific objectives:

(...) d) Promote the active participation of communities and producers in the generation of decisions on the management and conservation of soils".

Finally, the Municipal Code, Law No. 7794, establishes the principles and guidelines that must guide municipal management in the area of citizen participation.

"Article 4. The municipality possesses the political, administrative, and financial autonomy conferred upon it by the Political Constitution.

Within its attributions are included the following:

(...)

• h)Promote participatory and inclusive local development, which contemplates the diversity of the needs and interests of the population".

"Article 5. - The municipalities shall foster the active, conscious, and democratic participation of the people in local government decisions.

Public institutions shall be obliged to collaborate so that these decisions are duly implemented".

"Article 57. - The District Councils shall have the following functions:

(...) e) Foster the active, conscious, and democratic participation of the residents in their districts' decisions".

From the aforementioned regulations, it is essential for the Municipal Government to understand that, although Article 17 of the Urban Planning Law, Law No. 4240, establishes that one of the requirements to guarantee community participation in the implementation of the Regulatory Plan is the holding of a public hearing; the Costa Rican legal system includes other provisions that promote citizen participation in territorial planning processes. Consequently, it is incumbent upon municipal governments, through the Local Territorial Planning Body and the Planning Team, to manage the necessary processes to ensure citizen participation as a cross-cutting axis in the formulation, updating, or modification of the local planning instrument.

2.6.6.2. Levels of participatory processes according to their public impact In urban planning and land-use planning (ordenamiento territorial) processes, the promotion of broad citizen participation must be ensured, lending viability and legitimacy to the process and the decisions, involving the interests and needs of the local community.

According to the scale established by the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2), citizen participation has five levels based on its public impact:

The inform level is characterized by only providing information unilaterally, from the promoting group or process leader to the citizenry.

The consult level involves minimal inclusion of the citizenry in the process, where opinions or information that contribute to the public initiative are collected. These contributions are not always binding for the final decision.

The involve level actively incorporates the beneficiaries, making them co-participants in the participatory process and, therefore, in the public initiative, even when the contributions are not necessarily binding for final decisions.

The collaborate level allows the people most closely related to the initiative to be part of the entire implementation or stages of implementation, such as design, evaluation, decision-making, among others.

The empower level is the ideal level in a participation process, in which the participants have the power to make final decisions, where they may even be in charge of part of the implementation process. This generates ownership of the initiative and establishes capacities to identify constant improvements and for the citizenry itself to lead future processes.

2.6.6.3. Elaboration of the Citizen Participation Strategy The Citizen Participation Strategy is designed to structure and organize the community participation process in the formulation, updating, or modification of the Regulatory Plan.

Its purpose is to actively integrate diverse social actors into decision-making, as well as into the management and control of the territory, through consultation and dialogue actions promoted by the municipal government. This strategy must be adapted to the characteristics of the community, considering its diversity in aspects of gender, age, socioeconomic status, cultural belonging, ethnic identity, and other relevant characteristics, so that all social groups have opportunities to participate.

Citizen participation must be cross-cutting throughout all stages of the Regulatory Plan, being integrated not only in the preparation of the diagnosis but also in the formulation of the proposal. The strategy establishes a comprehensive framework that guides and coordinates participatory efforts during the process, defining objectives and key components that facilitate its implementation in each of these stages.

The recommended contents for developing the Citizen Participation Strategy are as follows:

- Objective of the Participation Strategy: This consists of establishing the central purpose to be achieved by involving the community in the development of the Regulatory Plan. This objective must guide the participatory activities, ensuring that the strategy promotes the plan's legitimacy, facilitates transparency in decisions, and allows community contributions to be integrated to reflect their needs, in accordance with the Costa Rican legal system.

- Identification of Key Actors: Involves the identification of individual, collective, public, private, community, and institutional actors, among others, with the capacity and interest to participate in the Regulatory Plan process. The active integration of these groups allows for capturing a comprehensive vision of the territory, considering the knowledge and experience of those who inhabit and transform it. (See Figure 19).

Community organizations in particular play an essential role in the development and strengthening of social relations; by representing collective and local interests, they provide knowledge and perspectives fundamental to the participatory process.

Some relevant instances that can participate in the participatory processes of the Regulatory Plan are presented below in Table 7.

Table 6. Recommended Instances for Participatory Processes Citizen participation must be inclusive and encompass all social actors, not only the collectives formally recognized by law. This includes individuals, informal groups, local communities, and other sectors that can significantly influence the development of policies and decisions. In this sense, it is essential to incorporate agricultural sector organizations; as well as actors from the tourism sector, such as chambers and tourism development associations.

Likewise, environmental groups must be considered, such as non-governmental organizations, citizen collectives, and community associations working for sustainability and conservation. The integration of diverse voices and perspectives fosters a more democratic and representative process, which can lead to more effective, sustainable solutions and greater social cohesion.

It is essential to promote the realization of focused and thematic work sessions, oriented toward involving key actors with capacity and interest in the process.

These sessions must bring together representatives from different sectors, both individual and collective, public, private, community, and institutional, to ensure that diverse perspectives and needs are considered. The dynamic of these meetings must be designed to foster constructive dialogue, where each actor can contribute their specific knowledge and experiences, thus enriching the formulation of the Plan. Furthermore, this approach allows for more effectively addressing the complex and specific issues of the territory, to ensure that the Regulatory Plan is inclusive, realistic, and adapted to local particularities.

The participation of the involved parties not only improves the Plan's quality but also strengthens the community's commitment to and acceptance of the process; it is essential to create spaces that allow for open citizen participation, which enables any community member to get involved in decision-making, regardless of their profile or level of knowledge. These spaces are essential for promoting inclusion, citizen empowerment, and transparency in political processes; these may include digital platforms, interactive tools, open meetings and assemblies, participatory workshops, citizen consultations, citizen surveys, among others.

Likewise, specialized spaces can be considered to address specific topics with groups of experts or differentiated communities, promoting in-depth discussion of specific issues to ensure that proposed solutions are effective and based on the most up-to-date and pertinent knowledge; these may include thematic working groups, conferences, expert panels, discussion forums with experts, multidisciplinary work tables, among others.

 Resources: Includes information about the elements necessary to implement the Citizen Participation Strategy, such as trained personnel to facilitate activities, a budget to cover operational costs like logistics, materials, technical tools such as audiovisual equipment, and digital platforms for virtual participation.

 Temporal Planning: A schedule of participatory processes aligned with the deliverable products of the Regulatory Plan, such as the diagnosis and the proposal, is defined. This implies organizing the activities in a logical and continuous sequence, with adequate time for the dissemination and announcement of each event.

 Municipal Strategic Communication Plan for Regulatory Plans:

document intended to define and guide communication efforts regarding the implementation and dissemination of the Regulatory Plan. With the purpose of offering clear and practical guidance to Municipal Governments in defining a clear, inclusive, and effective communication strategy that accompanies all stages of the process of elaboration, review, and approval of a regulatory plan, ensuring citizen participation and access to information, it is recommended to consult the "Communication Guide for the Management of Municipal Regulatory Plans" prepared by INVU.

2.6.6.4. Citizen Participation with a Gender and Social Diversity Focus The Costa Rican legal framework articulates provisions to protect, respect, and guarantee all human rights of women. The Ley de Promoción de la Igualdad Social de la Mujer, Ley N.°7142, seeks to guarantee equality of opportunities and rights for women and promote their participation in decision-making processes at the political, economic, and social levels:

(...) h) Ensure that in public and private institutions there is no discrimination based on gender, and that women are given fair treatment.

For its part, the Política Nacional para la Igualdad Efectiva entre Hombres y Mujeres (PIEG) is a comprehensive strategy that seeks to promote gender equality and the elimination of gaps between women and men in the country. This policy is oriented toward achieving a structural transformation that allows progress toward a more equitable society, in which both women and men can enjoy the same rights and opportunities in all areas.

The Plan de Acción Nacional sobre Igualdad de Género en la Acción por el Clima is a framework designed to ensure that climate change-related policies and measures consider the gender perspective, promoting the active participation and equity of women in decision-making, as well as the inclusion of their needs and knowledge in climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Urban planning and land-use planning (ordenamiento territorial) have traditionally been processes developed from a homogeneous perspective, which has generated significant challenges for including diverse social collectives. Among these are women, persons with disabilities, older adults, ethnic and racial groups, people of different age groups, people living in poverty, and sexual diversity, among others. Recognizing and addressing these realities is fundamental to guaranteeing that urban and rural environments, as well as territorial policies, effectively respond to the needs and particularities of all social groups, promoting more inclusive and equitable environments.

In participatory processes, it is essential to recognize that territories are perceived and experienced differently by men, women, and the various social collectives. Factors such as distances, location, mobility, and accessibility affect each group differently, influencing their specific experiences and needs. Therefore, it is key to integrate a focus that considers these variations, allowing for an understanding of how these aspects of the territory impact people's lives.

To achieve inclusive participation, it is necessary to establish mechanisms that ensure equitable representation of all social collectives; incorporating a gender and social diversity focus in these processes not only promotes equity but also allows for collecting valuable data on how these groups use and experience urban space, addressing aspects such as mobility, access to services, and the perception of safety.

2.6.6.5. Citizen Participation Methodology The Citizen Participation Methodology refers to the set of specific techniques, tools, and procedures that will be used to implement the Citizen Participation Strategy. It is more practical and operational, detailing how the steps defined in the strategy will be executed. (See Figure 20) It is recommended to include in the methodology:

 Procedures: Refers to the specific moments of the participatory processes, such as information gathering, analysis of contributions, feedback.

 Chronogram: The sequence and timing in which participation activities will be carried out.

 Participation technique: Comprises diverse tools for collecting community participation, such as surveys, focus groups, participatory workshops, digital platforms, among others. These techniques allow for capturing primary data directly from social actors, reflecting their perceptions in the distinct products of the Regulatory Plan.

 Indicators: Criteria for measuring the effectiveness of participation.

As part of this methodology, the realization of participatory workshops in the different stages of the process is recommended, especially during the diagnosis and the formulation of proposals. These workshops must be organized in each district and in additional localities deemed pertinent, according to the characteristics of the territory. Likewise, it is essential that activities are scheduled at times accessible to the population, considering schedules outside of working hours or weekends, in order to facilitate the effective participation of all interested persons.

Citizen participation can be significantly expanded through the use of digital media, which facilitate direct interaction between citizens and the decision-making processes involved in the elaboration of a Regulatory Plan. Platforms such as social networks, online forums, mobile applications, and local government websites can allow for expressing opinions, debating, and raising proposals in a more accessible and real-time manner. Furthermore, these digital tools can integrate electronic form mechanisms and surveys, providing the opportunity to influence directly matters of common interest, regardless of geographic location. The appropriate use of these technologies not only promotes inclusion but also strengthens democracy by making it more transparent, participatory, and efficient.

It is indicated that citizen participation through digital means does not replace or substitute for in-person activities, such as community workshops or the Public Hearing, but rather complements them. Additionally, alternative and accessible mechanisms must be implemented for those persons who do not have access to technological devices or are unfamiliar with their use, thus guaranteeing that no one is excluded from the process for economic, educational, or technical reasons. This may include the use of print media, personalized assistance, in-person service centers, or community facilitators who act as bridges between technology and communities.

2.6.6.6. Citizen Participation Report This report must contain the analysis of the results obtained from the implementation of the Citizen Participation Strategy in a systematic manner, including all information related to the citizen participation processes carried out at each of the moments comprising the formulation, revision, or modification of the Regulatory Plan. Its objective is to validate in a transparent and structured way the manner in which citizens and territorial actors were involved in the planning process.

Furthermore, it comprises the systematization of the main citizen contributions and observations, the most recurring or relevant topics, the technical evaluation of the contributions received, their integration into the Regulatory Plan, and the justification for exclusions, when applicable.

2.7. STAGE 2: ELABORATION OF THE BASE MAP The elaboration of the Base Map is an essential stage in the development of a Regulatory Plan, since it is a cartographic representation that includes both the Total Area of the Canton and the specific Planning Area. This map contains basic information on the existing elements in the territory, geographic and political-administrative boundaries, as well as the corresponding geographic coordinates, utilizing the CRTM-05 coordinate system and Datum or current projection established by IGN. The Base Map serves as support for the elaboration of the different deliverable products of the Regulatory Plan and is key to developing the analyses that will guide decisions on zoning and territorial development strategies.

Its objective is to offer a precise spatial reference of the natural resources, infrastructure, and land uses that impact the territory. Additionally, said Base Map allows for identifying the Special Regime Areas (Áreas Bajo Régimen Especial, ABRE), thus facilitating orderly and respectful management of territories under specific protection.

The creation of the Base Map is based on the collection of geographic information, coming from diverse official sources, and the integration of the essential cartographic coverages (coberturas cartográficas) that represent the key elements of the territory under study.

For the elaboration of the Base Map, it is suggested to consult the "Guide for the Elaboration of Cartography for Regulatory Plans," which offers detailed recommendations on the cartographic aspects necessary for the creation, revision, analysis, precision, and presentation of the maps, as well as the cartographic coverages or 'shapes' required in Local Planning Instruments.

The process of elaborating the Base Map is organized into several steps that seek to integrate geographic data from diverse sources, so that the gathered information subsequently meets the requirements of the Planning Area and the territorial planning objectives. Below, the recommended steps are detailed: (See Figure 21) 2.7.1. Data Collection Data collection is the first step in constructing the Base Map. Data must come from official and reliable sources such as the Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN), the Sistema Nacional de Información Territorial (SNIT), and the Sistema de Información del Registro Inmobiliario (SIRI). Furthermore, it is advisable to obtain updated satellite imagery, municipal cadastral viewers, and any other official cartographic resource that complements the territorial information.

To ensure a precise geographic representation, this data must be integrated into the Geographic Information System (GIS), a tool that allows for organizing multiple layers of information and performing spatial analyses, which facilitates decision-making and planning.

2.7.2. Selection of Scales The scale of the Base Map depends on the extension of the Planning Area and the elements to be included. The recommended scales are:

 Scale 1:10,000, ideal for areas with a high density of information, such as urban zones or specific intervention areas.

 Scale 1:25,000, suitable for representing wider areas, such as entire cantons or rural zones with lower infrastructure density.

These scales ensure that the information is presented legibly and in detail, facilitating analysis at different levels of precision.

2.7.3. Integration of Cartographic Layers The cartographic layers must clearly represent the critical elements of the territory to allow for an adequate diagnosis. The main coverages to include are the following:

 Provinces, Cantons, Districts, and Localities: These coverages indicate the political-administrative boundaries at the provincial, cantonal, and district levels, facilitating the visualization of territorial jurisdictions. Localities are also included to geographically orient the user to their community or area of interest.

 Topography and Contour Lines (curvas 5000): Represent the terrain relief and slopes, fundamental for risk analysis, identification of areas with development restrictions, and infrastructure planning. Contour lines, based on topographic sheets, allow for estimating slopes and areas of landslides or floods.

 Hydrography and Water Bodies: Comprises rivers, lakes, and other natural water bodies that serve to identify natural routes of connection between localities. Water bodies are also important for the tourism, agricultural, and economic development of the area.

 Road Infrastructure (National and Cantonal), Railways, and Bridges: Represents the national and cantonal road network and other connectivity elements, such as railways and bridges, which facilitate mobility and territorial interconnection. These elements are key for analyzing accessibility and vehicular circulation, as well as for identifying areas where infrastructure needs to be improved or expanded.

 Current Land Uses of Urban and Rural Areas: Include urban, rural, agricultural, and protected areas, among other land uses. Information about urban areas is especially relevant for planning the development of new settlements and allocating infrastructure and services, in accordance with Ley de Planificación Urbana N.°4240.

 Vegetation Cover: Forest areas, green areas, and reforestation zones that must be identified in the Base Map, both to preserve natural resources and to define protection zones or areas with potential for the expansion of green areas.

 Risk Areas: Zones identified as prone to natural disasters, such as floods or landslides, which require special attention in the planning process. The identification of these areas is crucial to avoid development in dangerous zones and to propose risk adaptation and mitigation measures.

 Special Regime Areas (ABRE): Portions of the territory subject to a special planning or administration regime, which may imply additional restrictions or considerations for land use and development.

All this information must be georeferenced using the CRTM-05 projection system or any other current system, guaranteeing that the data are consistent and compatible with other geographic analysis tools.

2.7.4. Preparation and Validation of the Base Map Once the information is integrated and systematized in the GIS, the Base Map is generated, including all the previously described coverages. This map must be clear and precise to facilitate its interpretation, both by technical actors and the community in general; for which it is recommended to consult the "Guide for the Elaboration of Cartography for Regulatory Plans" for its adequate elaboration and presentation. To ensure the quality of the information, it is recommended to validate the Base Map with the Local Territorial Planning Body. Validation is crucial to guarantee that the Base Map reflects the territorial reality, ensuring its reliability as a planning tool for the subsequent steps in the elaboration of the Regulatory Plan.

2.8. STAGE 3: INCORPORATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLE IN TERRITORIAL PLANNING INSTRUMENTS For the incorporation of the environmental variable in territorial planning instruments, such as the Regulatory Plan, the elaboration of the Studies for the incorporation of the environmental variable in a Land-Use Plan (Estudios de la incorporación de la variable ambiental en un Plan de Ordenamiento Territorial, EIVA-POT) must be coordinated, according to the requirements defined in the Reglamento para la Incorporación de la Variable Ambiental en Planes de Ordenamiento Territorial, Decreto Ejecutivo N.°44710-MINAE, its amendments, or the regulation that replaces it.

SETENA is the entity that regulates the technical and procedural aspects linked to the incorporation of the environmental variable in the proposal for cantonal regulatory plans, coastal regulatory plans, and other land-use planning instruments, and subsequently issue the approval of environmental viability (viabilidad ambiental). It is incumbent upon the respective Municipality to manage its request before said entity, with the support of the Planning Team, when dealing with a Formulation or Update of the Regulatory Plan; in the case of a Modification, a document issued by SETENA must be available stating that the proposal does not alter the Environmental Viability already granted.

For the purposes of the content of this Manual, the implementation of the EIVA-POT proposes a clearer and more agile procedure for processing the environmental variable in Regulatory Plans, through the establishment of measures to manage environmental constraints within the framework of legal ordering. Its objective is to ensure that land-use plans contemplate the protection of natural resources and biodiversity; as well as the incorporation of actions oriented towards adaptation to and mitigation of climate change, safeguarding human life, maintaining and promoting a better quality of life, and increasing the resilience and security of communities and ecosystems.

Decreto Ejecutivo N.°44710-MINAE determines two possible methodologies for the elaboration of the EIVA-POT: the first related to the analysis of the Environmental Fragility Index (EIVA-POT-IFA, Anexo N.°1); and the second associated with three elements, being the Environmental Diagnostic, the Complementary Information Summary, and the Report on Measures to manage environmental constraints (EIVA-POT-DAMRIC-IME, Annex N.°2).

Furthermore, it also provides in annexes of Executive Decree N.°44710-MINAE other inputs to observe: the Technical Procedure for the modification of the environmental variable approved in land-use plans: Modifications to the EIVA-POT (Annex N.°3); the Preparation Guides for the environmental studies of the EIVA-POT, according to the selected methodology (Annex N.°4); and the Review Manual used by SETENA for the environmental studies of the EIVA-POT (Annex N.°5). (See Figure 22) The Regulation for the Incorporation of the Environmental Variable in Land-Use Plans, Executive Decree N.°44710-MINAE stipulates its entry into force as of August 18, 2025, so its content is applicable to any new Regulatory Plan proposal that begins proceedings before SETENA on that date. Additionally, it contemplates, through transitory provisions, scenarios associated with previously repealed or enacted regulations:

 Manual of Technical Instruments for the Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIA Manual)-Part III, Executive Decree N.°32967-MINAE  Regulation for the transition for the review and approval of Regulatory Plans, Executive Decree N.°39150-MINAE-MAG-MIVAH-PLAN-TUR  Specifications for Cartography of the Environmental Variable in Land-Use Plans, Executive Decree N.°42696-MINAE The following are the constraints associated with temporal contexts prior to the entry into force of D.E. N.°44710-MINAE, which the Local Government must verify with SETENA, according to its context:

 Files in process before SETENA, which at the time the application of Decree N.°44710-MINAE proceeds do not have a final resolution, are governed by the previous regulations, as applicable.

 Local Governments that began or contracted studies under Decrees N.°32967-MINAE and N.°42696-MINAE, which have not been submitted to SETENA, have a period of 12 months from the date of entry into force of Decree N.°44710-MINAE to submit them to said entity for evaluation.

 Local Governments that have approved IFAs applying Decree N.°39150-MINAE-MAG-MIVAH-PLAN-TUR have a period of 12 months from the date of entry into force of Decree N.°44710-MINAE to deliver to SETENA the Environmental Scope Analysis and the Sustainable Development Regulation, in application of Executive Decree 32967-MINAE.

 Local Governments that have approved IFAs applying Decree N.°39150-MINAE-MAG-MIVAH-PLAN-TUR have a period of 12 months from the date of entry into force of Decree N.°44710-MINAE to complete the delivery to SETENA of the Environmental Scope Analysis and the Sustainable Development Regulation, in application of Executive Decree 32967-MINAE.

 Local Governments that began or contracted studies and streamlining tools under Decree N.°39150-MINAE-MAG-MIVAH-PLAN-TUR, which as of the date of entry into force of Decree N.°44710-MINAE have not been submitted to SETENA, have a period of 12 months from that moment to finish preparing and submitting the corresponding documents to said entity. In the case of a segmented process, once the approval of the IFAs is obtained, a period of 12 months is defined to deliver to SETENA the Environmental Scope Analysis and the Sustainable Development Regulation, in application of Executive Decree 32967-MINAE.

 Local Governments with Regulatory Plans that have environmental viability, and began update or modification proceedings before SETENA prior to the entry into force of Decree N.°44710-MINAE, must be processed according to the guidelines of previous regulations.

It is noted that, in the event that the entities with authority and competence in environmental matters modify the mechanisms for managing the Environmental Variable, and consequently the process for obtaining the Environmental Viability of the Regulatory Plan proposal, the new procedures stipulated must be complied with, according to the respective regulations that support them.

2.8.1. EIVA-POT: Environmental Fragility Index Methodology This analysis method determines the environmental loads in the Planning Area, which considers its condition of natural fragility, induced environmental load, and the absorption capacity of the additional environmental load, according to resource demand. It involves the integration of multidisciplinary information available in documented form, and direct investigative fieldwork, if so determined by the Local Government and the contracted professional persons to carry out the EIVA-POT. (See Figure 23) For the development of the methodology, the IFAs are categorized into four fundamental environmental information axes: Geological, Biological, Edaphological Aspects, Climate Change; resulting for each axis individually in an overlay of variables and a fragility classification. The products generated from the application of this methodology, which do not represent elements for the definition of land-use prohibition zones, are supported by an Explanatory Technical Sheet, as established by SETENA.

For this procedure, Decree N.°44710-MINAE also defines requirements for the study area and the scale to be applied for the cartographic products generated; as well as a classification thereof according to the following categorization criteria: Very High IFA (category V, red color); High IFA (category IV, orange color); Moderate IFA (category III, yellow color); Low IFA (category II, light green color); Very Low (category I, dark green color).

The components for each environmental information axis are listed below:

2.8.1.1. Geological IFA It is related to geological information (lithology, stratigraphy, and associated structures), as well as the inputs that can be obtained: geological units, geomorphological units, hydrogeological characteristics, and susceptibility to natural hazards (local seismicity, mass movements, volcanic, potential impact from tsunamis, and flooding). It establishes mappable areas that identify the existing fragilities in the territory from a geological point of view.

The Geological IFA is composed of the following factors:

 External Geodynamics  Water Resources  Natural Hazards 2.8.1.2. Biological IFA It comprises the integration of biological aspects of the study area, taking into account cartographic material collected in the field, technical information available in publications and official maps, species inventories, as well as the application of environmental protection regulations defined for different categories of geographical spaces.

The Biological IFA is composed of the following variables:

 Type of Vegetation Cover  Management Categories  Biodiversity  Biological Corridors  Connectivity 2.8.1.3. Edaphological Aspects IFA It corresponds to the basic information on edaphological aspects that must be obtained; it relates to how humans are using the soil resource, especially over long periods, the current relationship between society and the environment, as well as the criteria that support future planning for sustainable development and land-use planning. The Edaphological Aspects IFA includes addressing the following aspects:

 Information on soils and edaphological aspects for land-use planning  Soil type and land-use capacity  Zoning of soil types The Methodology for Determining the Agroecological Land-Use Capacity of Costa Rica, Executive Decree N.°41960-MAG-MINAE, must be followed, including the official categorization defined therein, down to management units.

2.8.1.4. Effects of climate change It considers short- or long-term events originating from the warming of the planet Earth's atmosphere due to human impact from the accelerated emission of greenhouse gases. It includes the study of short-term effects, such as storms, hurricanes, erosion, droughts, and forest fires; and long-term effects, such as desertification, ecosystem degradation from natural causes, sea-level changes, among others.

The analysis of climate change effects contemplates the following elements:

 Potential impacts from relative sea-level change  Potential impacts from drought and desertification  Information on projections of climate change scenarios  Life zones, including the most recent climatic and bioclimatic data Information generated by the National Meteorological Institute or other international data sources must be analyzed in its most updated version.

The technical procedure proposed by the methodology for the preparation of the EIVA-POT through the analysis of IFAs determines within its structure, in addition to the four fundamental environmental information axes mentioned above, the subsequent components:

 Current Environmental Overuse Cartography  The Readjustment, Adjustment, and Incentives Plan (PRAI)  Synthesis Matrix 2.8.2. EIVA-POT: Environmental Diagnostic - Complementary Information Summary - Report on Measures to manage environmental constraints Methodology (DAM-RIC-IME).

This analysis method is composed of three elements, whose data sources are suggested by Executive Decree N.°41960-MAG-MINAE itself, emphasizing the urgency that it be precise and updated information:

 Environmental Diagnostic (DAM)  Complementary Information Summary (RIC)  Report on Measures to manage environmental constraints (IME) The EIVA-POT under this methodology presents a typology of environmental variables divided into the following three categories:

 General variables These correspond to those that the EIVA-POT must obligatorily contain under this methodology; they are listed below:  Aquifer vulnerability to contamination  Aquifer recharge  Flood hazard  Biotic cover (flora) and Biodiversity  Drought hazard  Conditional variables These are those that must be incorporated into the EIVA-POT, provided they are present in the area to be planned; if not, the technical justification for their exclusion must be provided. The following are considered conditional variables:  Agroecological land-use capacity  Susceptibility to mass movements  Volcanic hazard  Tsunami hazard  Biological corridors  Mean sea-level rise hazard  Additional variables Those other than general and conditional variables, which the local government and its planning team consider relevant to incorporate into their analysis for land-use planning purposes, with the respective technical support; for example, landscape, heat islands, geological faults, archaeological heritage, indigenous territories, green network, connectivity routes, transition areas, buffer zones for protected wild areas, coastal erosion and liquefaction, territory use by migratory species.

SETENA reviews and analyzes the inclusion of additional variables; they may be rejected by said entity for non-compliance with the following criteria:

 It presents an environmental condition that can be linked to land-use planning.  It is independent of the general and conditional variables.  It presents an explanatory theoretical framework and calculation methodology.

The elements that make up the EIVA-POT-DAMRIC-IME methodology are detailed below: (See Figure 24) 2.8.2.1. Environmental Diagnostic (DAM) It is prepared as an integral part of the Territorial Diagnostic stage of the MAPRIOT, and its purpose is to know in detail the environmental situation of the area to be planned, through the compilation and generation of information on the variables contemplated by the EIVA-POT, the study of environmental constraints, their characteristics, and existing land-use conflicts.

The DAM is composed of two inputs:

 The Analysis of the EIVA-POT variables, where a description of the general, conditional, and additional variables included in the study is made; it includes the methodological analysis and a cartographic file for each variable.

 The DAM Analysis, which is carried out once the environmental evaluation of the variables is completed; it identifies and generates a technical detail and cartographic files on current land use, legal constraints for development, the land-use modality, sources of information on the variables, and their calculation.

The DAM also contemplates the analysis of aquifer vulnerability to contamination, aquifer recharge, flood hazard, flora cover (biotic), and drought hazards.

In addition, the DAM defines a series of conditional variables, including agroecological land-use capacity, susceptibility to mass movements, volcanic hazard, tsunami hazard, mean sea-level rise; it is possible to incorporate additional variables, as identified in the territory.

2.8.2.2. Complementary Information Summary (RIC) It corresponds to information that transcends the environmental sphere, of interest to SETENA regarding the incorporation of the environmental variable in the Regulatory Plan proposal. It is extracted from the most relevant findings of the territorial diagnostic and the proposed zoning; that is, to formulate the RIC, it is necessary to have a completed regulatory plan proposal.

It contemplates the effects of development pressures that were considered in the area to be planned, public infrastructure projects with an impact on the development of the territory, as well as other interventions that affect the land-use modality.

With the mentioned information, the process of incorporating the environmental variable into the proposed zoning begins, for which the results obtained in the Land-Use Modality of the DAM must be considered, identifying areas that would present non-conforming uses, conforming uses, and conforming uses with potential; the aim is to minimize non-conforming use, mitigating it when legally possible, and to promote conforming use or conforming use with potential.

2.8.2.3. Report on Measures to manage environmental conditions (IME) Through the IME, it is verified that the measures to manage the environmental conditions present in the territory are included in the proposed zoning and other regulations of the Regulatory Plan proposal.

It contains the measures that were incorporated to manage the environmental conditions identified in the DAM, detailing the conditional variables and the measures present for each zone; and the provisions where they were incorporated in the regulatory proposal of the Regulatory Plan, indicating the regulations, articles, subsections, tables, or other specific content where they are reflected.

In its conclusion, the IME requests that the environmental variable be incorporated into the Regulatory Plan proposal; with the zoning proposed in the RIC and the resolution of the environmental variable granted, it is possible to proceed before the INVU and other competent institutions to the regulatory plan approval process.

2.9. STAGE 4: TERRITORIAL DIAGNOSTIC Stage 4: Territorial Diagnostic establishes the bases of the Regulatory Plan by offering a detailed evaluation of the current situation of the territory, providing an integral vision of its characteristics, problems, and potentialities. The Territorial Diagnostic answers the essential question: Where are we?; its objective is to offer a clear panorama of the state of the Planning Area, identifying available resources and intervention needs to guide territorial development in a precise and efficient manner, with strategies adapted to the particularities of the territory.

This section is organized into three numerals: Data Collection and Systematization, where the basic information is gathered; Analysis of the Current Situation, which evaluates the variables of the territory from the social, physical-spatial, economic, political-institutional, and legal axes; and Results of the Diagnostic, which synthesizes the findings to support decision-making in the Regulatory Plan proposal. The objective is to obtain a clear vision of the current state of the area, considering the quality and availability of resources to effectively guide territorial development.

The deliverable products of this Stage, associated with the mentioned numerals, correspond to the Territorial Diagnostic Report, which comprises the results of the analysis by axis and the integral analysis, as well as the Cartographic Atlas of the Territorial Diagnostic. (See Figure 25) 2.9.1. Data Collection and Systematization For the Territorial Diagnostic, the data collection and systematization process constitutes the first step, essential for laying the groundwork for subsequent analyses. This section addresses the collection and organization of relevant information through different tools and methodologies, including field surveying, the integration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and the detailed description of the physical and social components of the territory.

2.9.1.1. Data Collection Sources and Methodologies For the collection of territorial data, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and field visits are used. GIS allow for capturing and analyzing high-precision spatial data, while field visits provide direct observation of critical conditions of the territory, thus integrating technology and investigation for a complete diagnostic.

 Geographic Information Systems (GIS): The use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) facilitates the collection, storage, and visualization of spatial data. For the compilation of territorial information, it is recommended to use free or paid-license GIS software, according to the capacities of the municipality or consulting firm.

Aerial images can be obtained using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), such as drones, or through official national platforms. These images allow for capturing high-precision spatial information and are fundamental for understanding the physical distribution of the territory. The operation of this technology must be carried out by professionals in geography, cartography, or related areas, who can analyze and represent the data graphically, facilitating the visualization of territorial elements for decision-making in the planning area.

 Field Visits: Field visits allow for directly observing and documenting key aspects of the territory, providing detailed information on the real conditions of each sector. During these visits, the Planning Team can identify critical situations, such as zones with natural risks, state of infrastructure, and services. The data obtained in the field are systematized and organized to support subsequent analyses and diagnostics.

2.9.1.2. Specific Data Components for the Territorial Diagnostic This numeral details the specific recommended components to be addressed within the data collection and systematization section. Each of these elements contributes to building a complete vision of the current state of the territory and constitutes a solid basis for the analyses in the territorial diagnostic. (See Figure 26)  Field Update and Mounting in the Geographic Information System (GIS): This process involves the collection of detailed spatial data through aerial images and other sources. These are integrated into the GIS system, which allows for precisely visualizing the distribution and territorial characteristics. This spatial information is fundamental for mapping and analyzing the different zones of the Planning Area, as well as for identifying patterns of current land use and occupation.

 Field Survey of Land Use: This consists of the direct inspection of the planning area to record the current land use and its distribution. The predominant activities are identified, such as commercial, residential, industrial, agricultural, forestry, tourism, and conservation areas, among others. This analysis allows for structuring a development model in accordance with the current characteristics of the territory and facilitates the creation of a current use map that reflects land occupation patterns.

 Update of Existing Infrastructure: This activity focuses on reviewing and updating information on existing infrastructures in the Area to be Planned.

Elements such as transportation systems, potable water networks, stormwater and sanitary sewerage, as well as their treatment, drainage, and electrical services are included. The collection of these data allows for evaluating the capacity of current infrastructures and determining the need for future interventions based on the development of the territory.

 Urban Structure Analysis: The analysis of the urban structure involves evaluating the layout and connectivity of urban components, such as commercial, industrial, and housing areas. This allows for identifying development patterns, urban morphology, and concentration areas. Aspects of road infrastructure, connectivity between different zones, and accessibility are also studied. This analysis is fundamental for understanding the organization and functioning of urbanized land, as well as for planning improvements in terms of accessibility and connectivity.

 Demographic and Social Structure Data: The demographic analysis provides information on the population profile of the planning area, including its distribution by age, sex, socioeconomic level, migrant population, citizen security, and other relevant indicators with basic needs. These data are obtained from the latest National Census and updated demographic projections, which allows for evaluating growth trends and establishing plans according to the needs of the population.

 Health and Education Services: The collection of information on health and education services in the Planning Area is fundamental for foreseeing the population's access to these services. In the diagnostic, the coverage of these services is evaluated, as well as the location of health centers such as: clinics, EBAIS, CEN, CINAI, CECUDI, IAFA, medical offices, among others; and schools or other educational facilities such as: daycare centers, schools, high schools, universities, among others. This information allows for identifying infrastructure needs to ensure that the population has adequate services.

 Housing Condition: The analysis of the housing condition focuses on evaluating the residential characteristics of the planning area. Types of dwellings are identified, such as single-family, multi-family, urbanizations, residential complexes, projects under the condominium property regime, as well as infrastructure conditions and their basic services; as well as informal and irregular settlements, residential areas in a state of deterioration, and uninhabitable structures.

 Existing Community Services: This component includes the identification of community services available in the Planning Area, such as park areas, playgrounds, green areas, plazas, and community facilities such as educational centers, health centers, sports facilities, community centers, cultural centers, public libraries, museums, public markets, care centers, and any other similar space oriented towards collective use and benefit.

2.9.2. Analysis by Axes of the Current Situation The analysis of the elements that make up each axis implies a textual description of the current situation of each topic, as well as graphic elements, if required for its comprehension. It involves a diversity of topics, the study of which is directly related to the elements that the Regulatory Plan must contain, as provided by the Urban Planning Law in its current version, which involves the study of population, land use and its distribution in the territory, circulation, community and public services, housing, urban renewal, and environment. Within the collection of this information, citizen participation must be included as a transversal axis, according to the proposed strategy. (See Figure 27) 2.9.2.1. Social Axis It contemplates the socio-demographic structure as a relevant object of study, due to its relationship with the quality, coverage, and distribution of public infrastructure services, as well as population densities and concentrations in the territory; this axis proposes a series of variables that must be analyzed by the planning team.

Among the aspects to be analyzed are the current size and structure of the population in the area to be planned, as established in subsection b) of Article 16 of the Urban Planning Law; furthermore, the projections and trends of its growth that determines subsection c) of Article 30 of that same regulatory body. Whether there is an increase or decrease in the number of inhabitants, the possible causes that generate that change, and whether they pertain to a canton situation or the national reality, such as migratory processes.

Furthermore, examine the concentration and distribution of the population in urban and rural areas; territorial inequality, irregular or informal settlements or those in zones with potential risk from natural hazards; the access to and quality of indispensable public services, housing, and public infrastructure. This analysis seeks to guide decision-making on possible interventions in the territory, identifying the need to reorganize the location of the current population through zoning proposals and adjustments in residential densities, in order to foster more balanced and safe urban development.

Another aspect to consider are the migratory movements of the population to and from the area to be planned, with the objective of identifying whether it is an expelling or attracting space for inhabitants, and defining actions intended to curb or consolidate that population movement, according to the interests of the local government.

Consistent with the above, associated with the Social Axis, at least the following inputs must be available, according to the previously cited numerals of the Urban Planning Law:

 Population Diagnostic: Includes the study of the most recent demographic data for the area to be planned by district, such as total population, distribution by age and sex, population by urban and rural zone, growth rates, and other relevant statistics that help understand the composition and population dynamics of the area to be planned.

 Cultural and Social Analysis of the Territory: Involves the analysis of information on the cultural, historical, and social characteristics of the population within the area to be planned. This study must contemplate, among other aspects, a synthesis of the history of the canton, which allows for a more adequate contextualization of the territory by offering a vision of the evolution of land uses, resilience strategies against specific events, identity processes, and other relevant elements for a comprehensive understanding of the environment. Likewise, dominant cultural practices, relevant historical sites, social structure, key actors in the territory from a communal and economic point of view, and the relationship of these elements with the spatial distribution of the communities must be considered.

For the analysis of the subject matter covered in the Social Axis, it is suggested to consult the documentation held by the following entities, which have competence in this regard:

 National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC)  Ministry of Public Security (MSP)  Ministry of Planning and Economic Policy (MIDEPLAN)  Institute of Rural Development (INDER) • Institute for Municipal Development and Advisory Services (Instituto de Fomento y Asesoría Municipal, IFAM) • United Nations Development Programme (Programa De Las Naciones Unidas Para el Desarrollo, PNUD) • Local Government's own sources 2.9.2.2. Physical-Spatial Axis Examines the natural and artificial aspects that currently characterize the territorial system, considering the diverse units, elements, and processes that comprise it, the current use of the territory, and its occupation. It involves the location, morphology, spatial growth patterns, characteristics, and functions of urban and rural areas.

It encompasses the study of connectivity between such centers, road infrastructure, location, accesses, conditions for mobility within the territory, including public transportation. Furthermore, it covers the analysis of the coverage, condition, demand, and quality of community facilities, public services, as well as green areas.

The subject matter content contemplated in the analysis of this axis derives from provisions set forth in subsections b), c), d), e), f), and g) of Article 16 of the Urban Planning Law (Ley de Planificación Urbana), and subsection a) of Article 29 of the Organic Environmental Law, Law No. 7554 (Ley Orgánica del Ambiente, Ley N.°7554); for this reason, the following minimum inputs are defined, which must be submitted as part of a written document:

• Current Land Use Report (Informe del Uso Actual del Suelo): Detailed and contextualized analysis of current land use, considering urban, non-urban, and expansion areas. It must focus on the situation and distribution of land designated for housing, commerce, industry, education, recreation, and other public uses; as well as identify agricultural and livestock areas with their categories, the location of irrigation and drainage districts where applicable; locates Protected Wilderness Areas (Áreas Silvestres Protegidas) and other non-urban areas. It also includes an analysis of the urban structure, forest protection areas, areas at risk from natural hazards, slopes; urban growth patterns, morphology, land cost, and the consideration of Areas Under Special Regime (Áreas Bajo Régimen Especial). It identifies each element in the planning area, categorizing the current land use.

• Informal and Irregular Settlements Report (Informe de Asentamientos Informales e Irregulares): Synthesis and detail of the location and area of detected informal and irregular settlements, indicating the approximate number of families, living conditions, accessibility to basic services, urban equipment, connectivity with neighboring sectors, and other relevant socioeconomic data.

• Potential Urban Renewal Intervention Report (Informe de Intervención Potencial por Renovación Urbana): Description of each identified area with potential for intervention through urban renewal via conservation, rehabilitation, or remodeling, and its link to the urban fabric.

• Basic Circulation and Transportation Study (Estudio Básico de Circulación y Transporte): Comprehensive analysis of the current circulation in the planning area, identifying public roads of the National and Cantonal Road Network (Red Vial Nacional y Cantonal), and the routes of public and private transportation. It must include the location within the planning area of transportation terminals (such as bus stations, train stations, taxi stands, ports or docks, airports and other interchange points), and the main circulation routes, highlighting significant vehicular and pedestrian flows.

• Public Services Report (Informe de Servicios Públicos): Details the current situation of public services in the planning area; covers aspects such as the capacity, efficiency, coverage, and state of conservation of key infrastructure like drinking water, storm and sanitary sewer systems, hydrants, waste management, as well as any other of similar importance; also shows issues such as coverage gaps and critical areas needing urgent intervention or future expansion.

• Community Services Report (Informe de Servicios Comunales): Locates and describes the areas designated for community services within the planning area, including park areas, playgrounds, green areas, plazas, and community facilities such as educational centers, health centers, sports facilities, community centers, cultural centers, public libraries, museums, public markets, care centers, and any other similar space oriented towards collective use and benefit; additionally, it must indicate the current capacity of these facilities and their relationship to the population served.

• Public Spaces for Open-Air Commerce Report (Informe de Espacios Públicos para Comercio al Aire Libre): Analysis of each existing and potential public space, including its capacity, legal restrictions, available service infrastructure, and recommendations for its use in temporary commercial activities; identifies its location in the planning area. For the analysis of the subject matter included in the Physical-Spatial Axis, it is suggested to consult the documentation held by the following entities, which have competence in this regard:

• Ministry of Public Works and Transport (Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes, MOPT) • Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud, MINSA) • Ministry of Housing and Human Settlements (Ministerio de Vivienda y Asentamientos Humanos, MIVAH) • Ministry of Education (Ministerio de Educación, MEP) • Ministry of Public Security (Ministerio de Seguridad Pública, MSP) • Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería, MAG) • National System of Conservation Areas (Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación, SINAC) • Rural Development Institute (Instituto de Desarrollo Rural, INDER) • Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, AYA) • National Environmental Technical Secretariat (Secretaría Técnica Nacional Ambiental, SETENA) • National Emergency Commission (Comisión Nacional de Emergencias, CNE) • Local Government's own sources • Associations Managing Community Aqueduct and Sewer Systems (Asociaciones Administradoras de Sistemas de Acueductos y Alcantarillados Comunales, ASADA) 2.9.2.3.

Economic Axis It contemplates the development and competitiveness model of the territory under study, in addition to the analysis of the land market as a central component in urban planning and territorial organization (ordenamiento territorial), as it is a determining factor in aspects such as access to housing, land tenure (tenencia de la tierra), informality, among others.

Furthermore, it addresses the study of social realities linked to the economic and employment situation of the population present in the territory, with the additional objective of identifying potential employment-generating sources.

The foregoing considers one of the functions associated with urban planning: seeking the adequate distribution of the population and economic activities in the planning area, as established in subsection b) of Article 2 of the Urban Planning Law, as well as subsection c) of its Article 16. Therefore, associated with the Economic Axis, at least the following input must be provided, according to the aforementioned articles:

• Economic Diagnosis Report (Informe de Diagnóstico Económico): Provides an analysis of the economic situation of the study area, identifying the main economic activities, the productive sectors present in the territory, the distribution of industrial and commercial areas, agricultural and tourism activity areas, among others, as applicable in the planning area. It must analyze the value of urban and rural land, land values by homogeneous zones and productive structure, workforce, employment, and economically active population, as well as the trend of the land market and land tenure. It must also consider the contribution of these sectors to local and regional economic development, the interrelation with land use, and how such economic factors can influence the subsequent drafting of the Policy for the Regulatory Plan (Plan Regulador) proposal.

For the analysis of the subject matter included in the Economic Axis, it is suggested to consult the documentation held by the following entities, which have competence in this regard:

• National Territorial Information System (Sistema Nacional de Información Territorial, SNIT) • Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (Ministerio de Economía Industria y Comercio, MEIC) • National Institute of Statistics and Census (Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censo, INEC) • Local Government's own sources 2.9.2.4. Political-Institutional Axis This analysis contemplates the functioning and operability, in terms of efficiency and effectiveness, of local, regional, and national entities regarding the territory and its inhabitants; it also examines the municipal capacities for control of the planning area, organizational structures, deficiencies, and structural needs of the administration to manage the territory. Its approach must contain the following minimum input, in accordance with subsection a) of Article 16 of the Urban Planning Law.

• Political-Institutional Report (Informe Político Institucional): Examines the political and institutional structure that influences the planning and administration of the planning area. Describes all political, administrative, governmental, cultural, environmental, civil society entities, and other social actors involved in the territory, including the levels of local, regional, and national government that have direct competence. Describes the capacity of these entities to implement policies and regulations, manage projects, and collaborate between different levels of government, and lists the current public policies that impact the planning and development of the area, including their effectiveness and areas for improvement.

For the analysis of the subject matter included in this Axis, it is suggested to consult the documentation held by the following entities, which have competence in this regard:

• Ministry of National Planning and Economic Policy (Ministerio de Planificación y Política Económica, MIDEPLAN) • Rural Development Institute (Instituto de Desarrollo Rural, INDER) • Institute for Municipal Development and Advisory Services (Instituto de Fomento y Asesoría Municipal, IFAM) • Presidency of the Republic (Presidencia de la República) • Local Government's own sources 2.9.2.5. Legal Axis It contemplates the compilation of the current legal framework and its relationship with the legal structure, which allows the interpretation of the legal matters linked to urban planning and territorial organization in its different spheres. In accordance with subsection a) of Article 16 of the Urban Planning Law, its approach must contain the following minimum input:

• Legal Analysis of the Planning Area (Análisis Legal del Área a Planificar). The report must review the laws, decrees, municipal regulations, jurisprudence, and other regulations that directly affect development and land use in the territory.

For the analysis of the subject matter included in the Legal Axis, it is suggested to consult the documentation held by the following entities, which have competence in this regard:

• National System of Current Legislation (Sistema Nacional de Legislación Vigente, SINALEVI) • Judicial Branch (Poder Judicial) • Attorney General's Office of the Republic (Procuraduría General de la República, PGR) • Constitutional Chamber (Sala Constitucional) • Local Government's own sources In addition to nationwide regulations, it is necessary to verify if there are regulatory bodies associated with the particularities of each territory, issued through laws and executive decrees.

2.9.3. Results of the Territorial Diagnosis After the compilation of information and its respective analysis, it is advisable, as part of the Territorial Diagnosis, to systematize in a section the main findings associated with each axis, according to their categorization into potentialities, limitations, needs, and impacts in the planning area. (See Table 7).

This systematization and analysis also involves the information generated from the Studies for the Incorporation of the Environmental Variable (Estudios de la ncorporación de la Variable Ambiental); similarly, the environmental elements immersed in the Physical-Spatial Axis must be contemplated, such as Protected Wilderness Areas, forest protection areas, areas at risk from natural hazards.

All the identified findings must be described textually in a section entitled: Comprehensive Analysis of the Territorial Diagnosis (Análisis Integral del Diagnóstico Territorial), which consists of a report that systematizes the main findings obtained during the analysis process, organized by thematic axes (social, physical-spatial, economic, political-institutional, and legal), categorized as potentialities, limitations, needs, and impacts. (See Figure 28) 2.9.4. Cartographic Atlas of the Territorial Diagnosis In addition to the "Comprehensive Analysis of the Territorial Diagnosis" report, the graphic elements that support its content must be included in the Cartographic Atlas of the Territorial Diagnosis, composed of the following maps: Map of Informal and Irregular Settlements, Map of Urban Renewal Areas, Map of Public Spaces for Open-Air Commerce, Circulation and Transportation Map, Public Services Map, Community Services Map, and Current Land Use Map.

These cartographic inputs are essential for the visual representation of the diagnosis and for decision-making regarding the Regulatory Plan. For the preparation of the Cartographic Atlas of the Territorial Diagnosis, it is recommended to adhere to the specifications of the "Guide for the Preparation of Cartography for Regulatory Plans" ("Guía para la Elaboración de Cartografía de Planes Reguladores"). For the maps of the Cartographic Atlas, the minimum sheet size "Tabloid" is required, corresponding to dimensions of 432mm in length by 279mm in width, wherein the appropriate use for representing the information in a detailed and comprehensible manner is determined. The content corresponding to the maps is detailed below: (See Figure 29) • Current Land Use Map (Mapa de Uso Actual del Suelo): Cartographic representation of the diagnosis of the Planning Area that delimits and classifies the properties according to their current use. This map comprehensively reflects the information obtained in the field, complemented by cadastral and municipal records, identifying, among others, commercial, industrial, agricultural, institutional, residential uses, subdivisions (urbanizaciones), residential complexes, and projects under the condominium property regime. Likewise, it indicates at-risk areas and Areas Under Special Regime. When applicable, airport approach cones are incorporated.

• Map of Informal and Irregular Settlements (Mapa de Asentamientos Informales e Irregulares): Cartographic representation of the diagnosis of the Planning Area, which delimits the location of informal settlements and irregular settlements, including an analysis of living conditions, such as housing quality, access to basic services, and existing infrastructure.

• Map of Urban Renewal Areas (Mapa de Áreas de Renovación Urbana): Cartographic representation of the diagnosis of the Planning Area, which identifies areas with potential for intervention through urban renewal, which may include the conservation, rehabilitation, or remodeling of buildings and public spaces, with the aim of integrating them into sustainable urban development.

• Circulation and Transportation Map (Mapa de Circulación y Transporte): Cartographic representation of the diagnosis of the Planning Area that identifies the vehicular and pedestrian circulation network, as well as the public and private transportation systems, including terminals, bus and train stations, taxi stands, and public parking lots.

• Public Services Map (Mapa de Servicios Públicos): Cartographic representation of the diagnosis of the Planning Area with the location of public service infrastructure, such as drinking water, electricity, sewer systems, and waste management.

• Community Services Map (Mapa de Servicios Comunales): Cartographic representation of the diagnosis of the Planning Area that shows the location of properties with existing community buildings or infrastructure, such as park areas, playgrounds, green areas, plazas, and community facilities such as educational centers, health centers, sports facilities, community centers, cultural centers, public libraries, museums, public markets, care centers, and any other similar space oriented towards collective use and benefit.

• Map of Public Spaces for Open-Air Commerce (Mapa de Espacios Públicos para Comercio al Aire Libre): Cartographic representation of the diagnosis of the Planning Area that locates existing public spaces with potential for temporary open-air commercial activities.

The unification of the aforementioned elements allows for an understanding of the territory as a whole, where diverse physical-spatial, social, economic, political, legal, and environmental territorial units, elements, and processes interrelate in the same physical space.

It is a requirement to socialize the findings identified through reports by means of the participatory techniques set out in the Citizen Participation Methodology and the Work Plan, with the intention of validating their veracity.

As a result of the Comprehensive Analysis of the Territorial Diagnosis, the identification, representation, and georeferencing of the main findings are obtained; such results, as well as the inputs generated throughout the analysis process, including the cited maps, must be taken as the starting point for the formulation of the Regulatory Plan proposal.

2.10. STAGE 5: TERRITORIAL FORECAST (PRONÓSTICO TERRITORIAL) The Territorial Forecast is a fundamental stage in the preparation of the Regulatory Plan, which is carried out after the Territorial Diagnosis and lays the groundwork for the formulation of the proposal through the Urban Development Policy and the Urban Development Regulations. This process projects the future development of the territory based on the analysis of current trends and the construction of prospective scenarios, with the objective of anticipating changes, challenges, and opportunities, guiding territorial planning towards sustainability and risk management.

The Territorial Forecast finds its legal basis in the Urban Planning Law, Law No. 4240 (Ley de Planificación Urbana, Ley N.°4240), specifically in subsection b) of Article 16, which establishes the need to incorporate into the Regulatory Plan a study of the population that includes projections of future demographic growth, its distribution, and recommended density. This provision underscores the importance of anticipating territorial dynamics through prospective analysis and the construction of future scenarios, to ensure that development policies and strategies are consistent with the projected needs of the population and the territory.

In addition to interpreting the data from the Territorial Diagnosis, the Territorial Forecast formulates projections through participatory methods, foresight (prospectiva), and scenarios, acting as a bridge between the identification of problems, current potentialities, and the design of concrete strategies for a desirable and feasible future. The integration of diverse actors in this process allows for the incorporation of multiple perspectives and needs, enriching future visions and promoting proactive urban planning that fosters sustainable and equitable development in urban and rural environments.

2.10.1. Objectives of the Territorial Forecast The Territorial Forecast seeks to provide a clear and well-founded vision of the future development of the canton, achieving: anticipating territorial, social, and economic dynamics based on current trends; visualizing alternative scenarios for informed decision-making; facilitating the prioritization of strategic development actions; and guiding the Regulatory Plan proposal towards a sustainable territorial model.

2.10.2. Elaboration of the Territorial Forecast For the elaboration of the Territorial Forecast, it is recommended to follow a series of structured steps that combine a rigorous technical analysis with the participation of local actors. (See Figure 30) 2.10.2.1. Projection of Trends (Foresight) Foresight (prospectiva) is a tool that allows for the identification of key trends influencing the development of the territory and their projection into the future. This analysis must consider multiple dimensions, such as the physical-spatial, social, economic, environmental, legal, and political-institutional, using hypotheses based on current and past data.

As a discipline dedicated to the analysis of social systems, it facilitates a deeper understanding of current reality, learning from the past, and the projection of possible future trends, evaluating their impact on society. Its focus allows for the creation of future alternatives that are possible, probable, and desirable, prioritizing objectives and strategies, as well as carrying out simulations and contingency analyses, which expands the options available for decision-making.

In accordance with the MIDEPLAN Manual of Foresight and Techniques for Developing Future Scenarios (Manual de Prospectiva y Técnicas para elaborar escenarios a futuro de MIDEPLAN) (2015), foresight is structured into three essential stages:

• Long-term vision. Defines the strategic direction of the territory, prioritizing an extended time horizon.

• Holistic comprehensive coverage. Offers a global vision that facilitates the management of complexity, highlighting causal relationships and identifying key indicators for future development.

• Consensus among interested social sectors. Promotes consensus among social sectors to ensure that decisions reflect the needs of society, increasing the legitimacy and support for the proposed strategies.

Foresight allows for the design of future alternatives that are possible, probable, and desirable, helping local authorities prioritize strategies and prepare for contingencies.

2.10.2.2. Construction of Future Scenarios The construction of prospective scenarios utilizes data sets and information to explore different paths that the territory's development could take. According to the MIDEPLAN Manual of Foresight and Techniques for Developing Future Scenarios (2015), the most common scenarios are:

• Current scenario (Escenario actual): Based on the territorial diagnosis, it describes the present situation, identifying central problems and their causes. It answers the question "What is the canton?".

• Trend scenario (Escenario tendencial): Projects what will happen if no changes are made to current dynamics. It answers "Where is the canton heading?".

• Ideal scenario (desirable) (Escenario ideal): Visualizes the desired future, although unlikely, based on the aspirations of the population. It answers "What does the canton want to be?".

• Possible scenario (plausible) (Escenario posible): Integrates realistic and feasible actions based on available resources and capacities. It answers "What can we achieve?".

These scenarios allow for the anticipation of risks and opportunities, guiding the formulation of the Urban Development Policy and the Urban Development Regulations towards a cohesive and sustainable model.

The proposed scenarios are not restrictive in nature but are flexible and can be easily adapted to specific territorial contexts. This means they can be adjusted to reflect the social, economic, and cultural particularities of each region, taking into account local dynamics. Furthermore, these scenarios can be modified to respond to the particular needs of local governments, allowing the proposed strategies and alternatives to align with their specific objectives, resources, and challenges.

2.10.2.3. Recommendations for the Construction of the Territorial Forecast The construction of the Territorial Forecast requires a technical and participatory approach that ensures its relevance and alignment with the territory's needs. Key recommendations to guide this process are presented below:

• Participatory analysis: Involve key actors, such as local communities, productive sectors, and specialists, to ensure that the scenarios reflect the needs and aspirations of the territory. It must develop what is set out in the section corresponding to the Citizen Participation Strategy.

• Systemic approach: Identify interactions between social, economic, environmental, and political factors to build a comprehensive vision of the territorial future. For this, it is recommended to consult the MIDEPLAN Manual of Foresight and Techniques for Developing Future Scenarios.

• Flexibility and adaptability: Design scenarios that can be adjusted to specific territorial contexts and unexpected changes, ensuring that strategies are resilient and applicable.

• Definition of key indicators: Use measurable indicators that allow for the monitoring and evaluation of projected trends, strengthening informed decision-making.

The Territorial Forecast is a strategic tool that allows local governments to plan proactively, anticipating challenges and seizing opportunities to guide the development of the canton's planning area. Through foresight methods and scenario construction, this component not only guides the Regulatory Plan proposal but also strengthens the territory's capacity for adaptation in the face of dynamic changes. Its elaboration demands a rigorous, participatory, and sustainability-oriented approach, to ensure that current decisions contribute to a desirable and achievable future.

2.11. STAGE 6: REGULATORY PLAN PROPOSAL Corresponds to the activities carried out by the Planning Team to formulate a proposal for the Regulatory Plan through which development in the Planning Area is planned and managed.

Said proposal is composed of the Urban Development Policy and the Urban Development Regulations.

The formulation of the proposal considers the relationship between urban areas and other territorial units linked to the Planning Area, such as Areas Under Special Regime (ABRE), even when these are excluded from the application of the Regulatory Plan. The foregoing implies the articulation of the plan with various current planning instruments.

The incorporation of diverse social actors during this Stage through the participatory process is indispensable, as it fosters the definition of consensus and validation bases that strengthen the formulation and subsequent management of the proposal.

Likewise, it is essential that policies are articulated and aligned with existing planning instruments at all levels of the State. This includes national and regional policies and plans, as well as cantonal and local plans, both medium and long term. This articulation ensures coherence between the different levels of planning, avoids duplication of efforts, and facilitates complementarity among initiatives.

2.11.1. Urban Development Policy The Planning Team must formulate an Urban Development Policy for the Planning Area, based on the findings obtained during the Territorial Diagnosis and Forecast Stage.

The formulation of the Urban Development Policy has its legal basis in Article 16 subsection a) of the Urban Planning Law, Law No. 4240 (Ley de Planificación Urbana, Ley N.°4240), where the elements that the Regulatory Plan must contain are defined, in which it is mentioned:

"Article 16-. In accordance with the objectives defined by the various organs of government and administration of the State themselves, the local regulatory plan shall contain the following elements, without having to be limited to them:

• a)The development policy, with an enunciation of the principles and standards on which it is based, and the objectives set forth by the needs and growth of the area to be planned (.)" In accordance with the provisions of the cited article, the Policy must include, at a minimum, the principles and regulations that underpin it, the objectives that guide urban development, and the strategic actions to achieve them. These elements constitute the essential framework for defining a comprehensive and coherent vision of territorial development. Likewise, the Policy may incorporate other aspects of interest that the local government considers relevant to its context, such as the definition of the time horizon of the Regulatory Plan.

This time horizon determines the projection period for interventions and strategies, facilitating their planning and execution in the medium and long term. The fundamental elements of the Urban Development Policy are developed below. (See Figure 31) 2.11.1.1. Principles on which it is based The principles contemplate the rules, ideas, design concepts, or values that guide human action; they are part of the organization or the territory on which the approach will be based. These are general and universal standards, for example: respecting people's lives and acting with transparency.

2.11.1.2. Regulations to be considered in the Policy In this section, the listing of laws, executive decrees, and any other norm of the Costa Rican legal system that frames the scope of the proposal is carried out. The regulations incorporate fundamental objectives and a series of commitments that must be undertaken and translated into the planning and execution of strategic actions in a systemic and comprehensive manner.

2.11.1.3. Urban Development Objectives The Urban Development Objectives respond to the findings (potentialities, limitations, needs, and territorial impacts) identified in the Territorial Diagnosis. In determining these Objectives, the contributions made by various social actors linked to the Planning Area must be taken into consideration, in order to ensure that the general interest is reflected in the Urban Development Policy.

The general objective of the Policy seeks to generate an impact in the medium and long term, where the central problem becomes the general objective or purpose, which represents a change in the affected actors. The objectives per axis are specific objectives to address or solve the problems.

On the other hand, the objectives must be drafted with a verb in the infinitive that demonstrates the intention to improve a current situation, or those that create a new situation or different conditions.

They must be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound.

2.11.1.4. Strategic Actions Strategic Actions are the acts or operations planned to achieve an objective; factors identified in the Diagnosis must be considered to develop different solution alternatives that would later be defined as Strategic Actions of a competitive, functional, or image-and-service nature, the foregoing in order to successfully achieve the objectives set forth in the Urban Development Policy.

2.11.1.5. Time Horizon The Time Horizon allows the local government to establish short-, medium-, and long-term goals, ensuring that policies are flexible and adaptable to the changes and challenges that may arise over time, without losing sight of the comprehensive and coherent vision of the territory's development.

This defines the timeframe for achieving the Urban Development Objectives established in the Regulating Plan, it being recommended that said Plan not exceed a period of twenty years from its publication.

To guarantee its validity and relevance, it is recommended to develop an action plan, as an instrument to operationalize the guidelines and achieve the objectives, and that this be updated periodically every five years.

The timeframe for fulfilling the Urban Development Objectives established in the Urban Development Policy of the Regulating Plan is not defined in the Urban Planning Law (Ley de Planificación Urbana), Law No. 4240, since this regulation does not establish a minimum or maximum period for the validity of said instrument. However, in accordance with the General Regulation of the National Planning System (Reglamento General del Sistema Nacional de Planificación), Executive Decree No. 37735, in its articles 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, timeframes for planning instruments at the national, sectoral, and institutional levels are defined, which are indicated below:

 At the national level, a long-term vision is contemplated for periods of no less than 20 years, as is the case of the National Strategic Plan (Plan Estratégico Nacional, PEN), which must be updated every 5 years.

 At the sectoral level, a medium-term vision is contemplated, for periods of no less than 5 years, as is the case of the National Sectoral Plans (Planes Nacionales Sectoriales, PNS) and the Regional Development Plans (Planes Regionales de Desarrollo, PRD).

 At the institutional level, a medium- or long-term vision is contemplated, for periods of no less than 5 years, as is the case of the Institutional Strategic Plans (Planes Estratégicos Institucionales, PEI).

These timeframes are used as a reference for the design and execution of urban policies and projects, which suggests that, although there is no specific timeframe in the Urban Planning Law, Law No. 4240, for the Urban Development Policy of the Regulating Plan, common practice within planning frameworks is to follow a similar temporal approach, with short-, medium-, and long-term horizons to ensure the continuity and sustainability of urban development.

Therefore, it is important to foresee that the Time Horizon of the Regulating Plan is articulated with other cantonal planning instruments, such as the Cantonal or Municipal Development Plan (Plan de Desarrollo Cantonal o Municipal), the Local Human Development Cantonal Plan (Plan Cantonal de Desarrollo Humano Local, PCDHL), the Municipal Strategic Plan (Plan Estratégico Municipal, PEM), the Five-Year Road Conservation and Development Plan (Plan Vial Quinquenal de Conservación y Desarrollo), the Annual Operational Plan (Plan Anual Operativo, PAO), and the Municipal Plan for Integrated Waste Management (Plan Municipal para la Gestión Integral de Residuos), among others.

The integration of these instruments is key to seeking a harmonized approach in decision-making. In this way, the time horizon not only fulfills the function of establishing a clear temporal framework but also contributes to comprehensive and effective territorial planning, considering local dynamics and long-term objectives.

With the purpose of offering clear and practical guidance to Municipal Governments in the formulation of the Urban Development Policy, a fundamental requirement for the preparation of Regulating Plans as established in the Urban Planning Law, Law No. 4240, INVU recommends consulting the "Guide for the Preparation of the Urban Development Policy" (Guía para la Elaboración de la Política de Desarrollo Urbano); as well as the guides on the matter published by MIDEPLAN.

Said Guide is a complementary document to the MAPRIOT and constitutes a technical and methodological tool designed to guide municipalities in the design of the Policy, promoting concrete actions that, under a results-based management approach, drive the generation of public value and the well-being of the population.

2.11.2. Urban Development Regulations The first article of the Urban Planning Law establishes that the Urban Development Regulations are normative sets that municipalities adopt for the purpose of executing their Regulating Plan.

In accordance with this, article 15 of that Law indicates that the power and authority of local governments for the planning and control of urban development in their jurisdiction, a right recognized in article 169 of the Constitution, is materialized through the implementation of the Regulating Plan and its corresponding Urban Development Regulations. Through the latter, the necessary guidelines are established to comply with the Regulating Plan, always prioritizing the health, safety, comfort, and protection of the population's assets.

 Zoning Regulation (Reglamento de Zonificación), to define land uses.

 Subdivision and Urbanization Regulation (Reglamento de Fraccionamiento y Urbanización), related to the division and urban development of land.

 Official Map Regulation (Reglamento de Mapa Oficial), focused on the provision and conservation of spaces destined for public roads and community areas.

 Urban Renewal Regulation (Reglamento de Renovación Urbana), concerning the improvement or rehabilitation of zones in a process of deterioration or degraded.

 Building Regulation (Reglamento de Construcciones), referring to the regulations for building works.

Regarding the normative nature of Regulating Plans and Urban Development Regulations, the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic (Procuraduría General de la República) in its opinion No. C-456-2007 of December 20, 2007, indicates that they are of a regulatory nature, and therefore, in the exercise of said power, the Municipalities must respect the principles that may derive from higher-ranking laws, according to the hierarchy of the sources of administrative law established by article 6 of the General Law of Public Administration (Ley General de la Administración Pública); that is, the Regulating Plans must conform to the provisions of the Laws of the Republic that are related to the matter they cover.

"Consequently, the regulating plans and the urban development regulations, by reason of being in a lower position than the executive regulations according to the hierarchical order of the normative sources of administrative law, are subordinated to those, and cannot modify, substitute, or displace them in their application regarding a factual situation that finds contradictory legal effects in two or more norms of both types of regulations.

However, the situation described must be tempered by the criterion of specialty, under the understanding that there are competencies that by subject matter (article 60.1 LGAP) correspond exclusively to certain organs of the executive branch, by reason of a technical-legal specialty given by law. A notion to which urban planning norms are subject, so that special provisions must be understood within the contents of the regulating plans and urban development regulations.

Now then, the foregoing does not mean that the executive branch can disregard the normative power that municipalities possess in this matter. Rather, it must avoid any illegitimate interference that affects the exercise of this competence. That is to say, that both the executive branch and the decentralized entities (in the case at hand, the municipalities) must respect the subject matter that each one is legally mandated to regulate. In this sense, the regulations issued by the executive branch to regulate the matters that for reasons of specialty have been legally or constitutionally granted to it, have a higher rank than municipal regulations (regulating plans)." Additionally, it is emphasized that the Urban Development Regulations can only be approved and disclosed through a Regulating Plan, in accordance with the provisions of the Urban Planning Law in its article 15, a provision that has been ratified by the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic in opinions No. C-034-2021, of February 11, 2021, No. C-210-2022, of September 28, 2022, and No. C-007-2024, of January 30, 2024; its text is cited in numeral 1.5 of this Manual.

Below, the minimum aspects that each of the Urban Development Regulations must contain are detailed, in strict adherence to the content of the Urban Planning Law. (See Figure 32) 2.11.2.1. Zoning Regulation (Reglamento de Zonificación) It is the urban development regulation of local scope that divides the planned area into specific use zones, regulating aspects such as agricultural, industrial, commercial, and residential land use. For which the regulation must:

 Categorize and locate, in the planning area, the different land-use zones: agricultural, industrial, commercial, residential, public, or others. Additionally, this information must be arranged in a table or similar elements.

 Classify residential zones into single-family and multi-family, associated with density calculation or other methods that regulate the intensity of land use.

 Set the urban planning restrictions for each of the zones: minimum area and frontage, height, floor area or building area, setbacks, coverage (cobertura).

 Establish the characteristics, size, and location of advertising.

 Identify the zones reserved for special uses and developments, such as airports, sites of historical value, environmental conservation areas, and those that generate hazards due to natural threats.

 Identify the areas to be intervened through the guidelines of the Urban Renewal Regulation.

 Prepare the maps, graphic, and diagrammatic elements that complement the regulatory text for each zone.

 Establish the requirement to have a land-use certificate (certificado de uso de suelo) when seeking to make use of a property, specifying which uses are permitted.

 Define the conditions and requirements for conforming, non-conforming, conditional, and prohibited uses.

 Delimit the city and urban quadrants, for the purposes of the transfer of area for public use; it is clarified that this identification does not correspond to a use zone.

2.11.2.2. Subdivision and Urbanization Regulation (Reglamento de Fraccionamiento y Urbanizaciones) It is the urban development regulation of local scope that establishes, in the planned area, the municipal conditions to authorize subdivisions (fraccionamientos) and urbanizations, including requirements for access to public roads, alignment and layout of blocks (amanzanamiento), as well as the transfer of areas for public use. For which the regulation must:

 Require, as conditions to allow subdivision and urbanization operations, having adequate access to a public street.

 Establish provisions for lotification and the layout of blocks (amanzanamiento).

 Regulate the transfer of areas for public use by concept of subdivisions for urban planning purposes, urbanizations, and residential complexes.

 Require the availability of essential public services to authorize subdivisions and urbanizations.

 Regulate the dimensions and characteristics of rights-of-way facing the properties to be subdivided, as well as in urbanization projects.

 Indicate the requirement of municipal approval for the subdivision of properties (visado municipal), as well as the subdivision modalities where the prior approval of INVU must be processed.

 Determine the subdivision modalities that are permitted in the area to be planned, according to their location with respect to urban quadrants and previously urbanized areas. Simple subdivision (fraccionamiento simple) is carried out within those quadrants of a previously urbanized area and must not transfer area for public use; subdivision for urban planning purposes (fraccionamiento con fines urbanísticos) is carried out outside a city quadrant or a previously urbanized area, and must transfer area for public use.

 Define the percentage to be transferred to public use, for subdivisions and urbanizations, according to their type, between 5% and 20%.

 Distribute the percentage of the area to be transferred into children's playgrounds, parks, and community facilities, in that order of priority.

 Assign one-third of the area to be transferred to public use to parks; one-third of this, which must never be less than 10.00 m² per lot or housing unit, must be assigned to children's playgrounds. The remaining two-thirds must be reserved for community facilities.

 Transfer to public use a maximum of 45% of the area to be urbanized in urbanization projects, including the sum of public streets, children's playgrounds, parks, and community facilities.

 Regulate the transfer of public use areas, including streets, in favor of municipal domain.

 Determine the conditions under which public areas resulting from subdivisions or urbanizations must be delivered to the local government; children's playground areas must be delivered fully conditioned, grassed (enzacatadas), and with the required equipment installed.

 Reference that urbanization projects must have the approval of INVU, ICAA, the Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos de Costa Rica, and MINSA in accordance with the Regulation for the Review Process of Construction Plans (Reglamento para el Trámite de Revisión de los Planos para la Construcción), Executive Decree No. 36550-MP-MIVAH-S-MEIC, its amendments, or the regulation that replaces it.

 Establish the municipal power and obligation to deny permits to urbanize properties, if the development is considered premature due to not having public facilities and services, or due to its remote location from other inhabited areas; if the urbanizing entity commits to funding the off-site works to provide the necessary services, projects with these characteristics must be accepted for analysis by the respective municipality and INVU.

 Establish the requirement of a performance guarantee from the developer, if the municipal government has the consent to authorize an urbanization project without the works being completed, which becomes effective 5 years after the approval of the construction plans, if the works are not executed.

2.11.2.3. Building Regulation (Reglamento de Construcciones) It is the urban development regulation of local scope that establishes, in the planned area, the specific norms to guarantee the safety, healthiness, and ornamentation of structures or buildings, in complement to other regulations in force in the field of construction. For which the regulation must:

 Regulate the basic concepts and minimum requirements in the planning and construction of buildings and urban infrastructure works, in architectural and engineering design.

 Observe the provisions of the Construction Law (Ley de Construcciones), Law No. 833; although it is not the norm from which the Building Regulation originates, it is the highest hierarchy in the matter.

 Establish the requirement for the building permit granted by the respective municipality, for all construction work to be carried out, according to the applicable urban planning restrictions: alignments, setbacks, coverage (cobertura), height, density.

 Maintain consistency with higher-hierarchical regulations in the matter, such as laws of the Republic, Executive Decrees, statutes, regulations of decentralized entities, and other norms subordinate to the regulations; they must be referenced in the content of the Regulating Plan, as their application has national scope.

2.11.2.4. Official Map Regulation (Reglamento de Mapa Oficial) It is the urban development regulation of local scope that regulates, in the planned area, the rules for the reservation, acquisition, use, and conservation of areas destined for roads, parks, plazas, buildings, and other community uses, indicating their location and size, both for areas already dedicated to public service and for those designated preventively. For which the regulation must:

 Establish provisions on the areas necessary for roads, parks, plazas, buildings, and other community uses, including those associated with reservations, acquisition, use, and conservation.

 Identify the location and dimension of areas already transferred to the public domain, as well as those that are planned to be destined for the same.

 Indicate that the administration and maintenance of the public lands identified in the Official Map is the responsibility of the municipality, which may authorize that certain portions of those areas be administered directly by state entities.

2.11.2.5. Urban Renewal Regulation (Reglamento de Renovación Urbana) It is the urban development regulation of local scope that establishes, in the planned area, the regulations to intervene and regularize irregular and informal settlements, rehabilitate or remodel deteriorated, defective, or decaying urban areas, as well as conserve and prevent the deterioration of those that are in an optimal state. It addresses problems such as inadequate parceling, deficiencies in buildings, lack of services and community facilities, conditions adverse to the safety, healthiness, and well-being of the community. For which the regulation must:

 Set the standards to be adopted to conserve, rehabilitate, or remodel dysfunctional urban areas, when their intervention is considered strategic by municipal governments or the State.

 Include the areas to be improved that make up the urban renewal program, through the guidelines of this regulation on the Zoning Map (Mapa de Zonificación), as an overlay.

 Indicate the restrictions on subdividing and building that apply to the Urban Renewal Areas; these remain in effect for 5 years from the moment the renewal program is made official with the promulgation of the Regulating Plan. If the urban renewal intervention is not achieved within that period, the affected properties must be subject to the requirements per zone, according to their location and parameters defined in the Zoning Regulation.

 Define the mechanisms and regulatory guidelines for opening and closing streets, as well as rectifying their layout, within the framework of urban renewal.

 Arrange, for land readjustment, when required, a framework agreement between the involved parties, specifying aspects such as their relocation, transfer to another area, and compensation in money or in kind.

 Regulate each land management instrument and incentive that is intended to be established within the framework of urban renewal, so that the provisions associated with its application are established through the Regulating Plan.

2.11.2.6. Other Regulations As indicated, the five Regulations cited in article 21 of the Urban Planning Law constitute the basic normative bodies that every Regulating Plan must integrate. However, within the framework of this instrument, other complementary regulations may be included, without prejudice to what is stipulated by the Urban Planning Law and other regulations of national scope, such as those cited below:

 Roadways and mobility: Construction Law, Law No. 833, General Law of Public Roads (Ley General de Caminos Públicos), Law No. 5060, Road Administration Law (Ley de Administración Vial), Law No. 6324, Law of Transit on Public Land Routes and Road Safety (Ley de Tránsito por Vías Públicas Terrestres y Seguridad Vial), Law No. 9078, Law for the Installation of Parking Meters (Parquímetros) (Ley de Instalación de Estacionamientos), Law No. 3580, Special Law for the Transfer of Competencies: Full and Exclusive Attention of the Cantonal Road Network (Ley Especial para la Transferencia de Competencias: Atención Plena y Exclusiva de la Red Vial Cantonal), Law No. 9329 and its Regulation, Executive Decree No. 40137-MOPT; Cycling Mobility and Safety Law (Ley de Movilidad y Seguridad Ciclística), Law No. 9660, and its Regulation, Executive Decree No. 42111-MOPT-H-MEP; Pedestrian Mobility Law (Ley de Movilidad Peatonal), Law No. 9976.

 Public space: Construction Law, Law No. 833, Law on Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (Ley de Igualdad de Oportunidades para las Personas con Discapacidad), Law No. 7600, and its Regulation, Executive Decree No. 26831-MP-MEP; Pedestrian Mobility Law, Law No. 9976.

 Outdoor advertising: Construction Law, Law No. 833, Regulation of Rights-of-Way and Outdoor Advertising (Reglamento de los Derechos de Vía y Publicidad Exterior), Executive Decree No. 29253-MOPT.

 Architectural and intangible heritage: Law on the Historical-Architectural Heritage of Costa Rica (Ley del Patrimonio Histórico-Arquitectónico de Costa Rica), Law No. 7555.

 Waste Management: Organic Environmental Law (Ley Orgánica del Ambiente), Law No. 7554; Law for Integrated Waste Management (Ley para la Gestión Integral de Residuos), Law No. 8839, and its Regulation, Executive Decree No. 37567-SMINAET-H; General Health Law (Ley General de Salud), Law No. 5395; Regulation for the Approval of Wastewater Treatment Systems (Reglamento de Aprobación de Sistemas de Tratamiento de Aguas Residuales), Executive Decree No. 39887-S-MINAE and the Regulation for the Discharge and Reuse of Wastewater (Reglamento de Vertido y Reúso de Aguas Residuales) No. 3601-MINAE-S.

 Licenses (Patentes): General Law of Public Administration, Law No. 6227, Municipal Code (Código Municipal), Law No. 7794.

 Landscape: Organic Environmental Law, Law No. 7554, General Health Law, Law No. 5395, Forestry Law (Ley Forestal), Law No. 7575, Water Law (Ley de Aguas), Law No. 276; Biodiversity Law (Ley de Biodiversidad), Law No. 7788.

2.11.2.7. Additional Considerations This section suggests topics that may be included within the aforementioned regulations, according to their nature, always within the framework of compliance with the provisions that comprise the national legal system.

 Condominium Property Regime (Régimen de Propiedad en Condominio) The Law Regulating Condominium Property (Ley Reguladora de la Propiedad en Condominio), Law No. 7933, and its Regulation, Executive Decree No. 32303-MIVAH-MEIC-TUR, regulate matters related to the condominium property regime in our country; although its content does not respond to the matter covered by the Urban Development Regulations that every Regulating Plan must have, local provisions associated with the management of projects under that nature may be included within the instrument, complying with the higher-hierarchy norm. Article 35 of the cited Law indicates that when a property is submitted to this property regime, it must be built according to the norms required by the respective laws. In this line, it is worth highlighting that according to opinion No. C-114-2018 of the PGR, "condominium property is a special regime or form of organizing private property over a set of assets, in which each owner exercises an exclusive property right over a delimited or private unit, and a co-ownership right over the common use areas." Likewise, opinion No. C-313-2005 of the same body indicates that the concept of condominium refers to a legal property regime to which real estate assets may be subjected, not to a use of said assets.

Therefore, and in observance of article 52 of Executive Decree No. 32303, when a property is managed under said regime, the regulations in force pertaining to the matter must be complied with, according to the nature of the property, which includes compliance with the urban planning restrictions established in the Regulating Plan for each zone.

 Transit-Oriented Development (Desarrollo Orientado al Transporte) The strategy called Transit-Oriented Development (DOT) proposes urban planning focused on generating better access to public transportation services, directing residential, commercial, and service development, efficiency, and sustainability in land use for that purpose. DOT promotes compact, mixed-use communities, in a way that integrates the greatest possible number of transport modes and means and their related infrastructure, consolidating intermodality. DOT can be incorporated as a strategy in the preparation of Regulating Plans through land-use planning that encourages urban densification and the mix of activities near public transportation corridors. This implies prioritizing the design of compact and accessible cities, where housing, businesses, public services, and recreational spaces are located in strategic areas connected by sustainable transport infrastructure, such as trains, buses, and bike lanes.

In addition, DOT can encourage the reduction of private automobile use, improving air quality and reducing carbon emissions, which is aligned with national sustainability objectives. Implementing this strategy requires the integration of municipal, sectoral, and community actors, as well as adequate urban development regulation that guarantees equitable access to public transportation and the preservation of natural areas.

 Disaster risk management and climate action In the process of preparing Regulating Plans, it is recommended to integrate disaster risk management and climate action as cross-cutting axes of territorial development. This implies identifying areas vulnerable to floods, landslides, droughts, and other phenomena associated with climate change, and establishing measures that minimize risks for communities. Planning must promote sustainable land use, respecting environmental protection zones and ensuring that new projects have resilient infrastructure. Likewise, it is necessary to include climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, such as the promotion of efficient drainage systems, the incorporation of renewable energy in urban design, and the implementation of nature-based solutions. The integration of these aspects not only protects the population but also guarantees safer, more sustainable development aligned with Costa Rica's international climate commitments. In this sense, this manual makes available for consultation and reference the Guide for the Integration of Disaster Risk Management and Climate Action in Cantonal Regulating Plans (Guía para la Integración de la Gestión del Riesgo de Desastre y la Acción Climática en los Planes Reguladores Cantonales).

It is further clarified that the use of innovative methodologies and approaches in addressing and preparing Regulating Plans, different from what is established in this Manual, is possible, provided that they are governed in the first instance by the provisions determined by the Urban Planning Law, in respect of the other regulations comprising the national legal framework on the matter.

2.11.3. Cartographic Atlas of the Regulating Plan Proposal The graphic elements that make up the Cartographic Atlas of the Proposal, where the provisions of the Regulating Plan are organized and graphically represented, are: Zoning Map (Mapa de Zonificación), Roadway Map (Mapa de Vialidad), and Official Map (Mapa Oficial). For their preparation, it is recommended to adhere to the specifications of the "Guide for the Preparation of Cartography for Regulating Plans" (Guía para la Elaboración de Cartografía de Planes Reguladores). For the maps of the Cartographic Atlas, it is required to use at least the "Tabloid" sheet size, corresponding to dimensions of 432mm long by 279mm wide, where the appropriate use for the representation of information in a detailed and comprehensible manner is determined. (See Figure 33) Below, the content corresponding to the maps is detailed:

 Zoning Map (Mapa de Zonificación): Cartographic representation of the proposed Planning Area that delimits and classifies the different zones defined in the Regulating Plan, in accordance with the permitted uses and the specific norms that correspond to them. This map regulates the use of properties, buildings, and structures for agricultural, industrial, commercial, residential purposes according to the intensity of use, as well as for public uses and others that are pertinent.

Road Map: Cartographic representation of the Regulatory Plan proposal for the Planning Area that details the existing classification of the Red Vial Nacional, composed of primary, secondary, tertiary, and restricted-access roads, as well as the Red Vial Cantonal, made up of neighborhood roads, local streets, and unclassified roads. It also incorporates the projection of the new proposed roads.

Official Map: Cartographic representation of the Planning Area that accurately determines the location and size of areas designated for roads, parks, plazas, and community services, both those already dedicated to public service and those reserved for such purposes.

2.12. STAGE 7: PUBLIC HEARING OF THE REGULATORY PLAN The Public Hearing constitutes an administrative, legal, and political act; it is framed within the provisions of Article 169 of the Constitución Política, which defines that the administration of local interests and services in each canton shall be the responsibility of the Municipal Government; as well as the provisions of Article 5 of the Código Municipal, Ley N.°7794, which addresses citizen participation in local government decisions.

"ARTICLE 5. - Municipalities shall promote the active, conscious, and democratic participation of the people in local government decisions.

Public institutions shall be obligated to collaborate so that these decisions are duly fulfilled." Likewise, for the purposes of implementing a Regulatory Plan, Article 17 of the Ley de Planificación Urbana, Ley N.°4240, establishes the requirements that municipalities must meet to implement, partially or totally, a Regulatory Plan. The first requirement corresponds to the call for a Public Hearing.

"ARTICLE 17. Prior to implementing a regulatory plan or any of its parts, the municipality intending to do so must:

• 1)Call a public hearing through the Diario Oficial and necessary additional dissemination, indicating the location, date, and time to learn about the project and the verbal or written observations that residents or interested parties may wish to formulate.

The notice must be made no less than fifteen business days in advance (...)" The Sala Constitucional in Sentencia N.°6653-2000 of July 28, 2000, defines that the public hearing constitutes a manifestation of the democratic principle and that it must be carried out prior to the administrative decision-making.

"The public hearing that, in cases like the present one, is conducted by municipal entities, has the purpose of allowing the exercise of the right to community participation in a matter that directly affects it and, consequently, must be carried out prior to the administrative decision-making, thus constituting a manifestation of the democratic principle.

As a consequence, this type of hearing is not simply part of a procedure that must be scheduled as a formality, in such a way that it can be set in a manner that renders nugatory the exercise of the right it seeks to protect, by being granted under conditions that turn it into a mere formality, incapable of achieving the objectives it is called upon to obtain in protection of the right to information and citizen participation, although certainly it must also not become an obstacle to issuing a timely resolution of the proceeding." (Sentencia No. 6653-2000 of July 28, 2000). (Underlining in the text does not correspond to the original) In turn, Sentencia N.°09253-2008 of June 4, 2008, reiterates that the public hearing provided for in Article 17 of the Ley de Planificación Urbana has the purpose of promoting and fostering citizen participation in decision-making and is a legal requirement of mandatory compliance.

"(...) the public hearing provided for in the procedure for drafting local regulatory plans constitutes a legal requirement of mandatory observance, which, being linked to the exercise of the right to community participation in a matter that directly affects it, must be carried out prior to the administrative decision-making." (Sentencia N.°09253-2008 of June 4, 2008)

As can be seen, the holding of a public hearing, more than a formal requirement, constitutes a genuine opportunity for openness and transparency so that the residents, whom the implementation of the Regulatory Plan may benefit or affect, can learn about it in advance and can present, if applicable, their observations or objections to it.

The binding regulations seek to promote transparency and facilitate citizen participation in decision-making processes. Likewise, it guarantees that any citizen who opposes the adoption of a Regulatory Plan or any of its Regulations can present their objections, as stipulated in Article 23 of the Ley de Planificación Urbana.

"Article 23.- The resident, owner, or any other person who opposes the project aimed at adopting a regulatory plan or any of its regulations shall have the opportunity to present their objections at the public hearing provided for in subsection 1) of Article 17. Furthermore, any dissatisfied person who invokes illegality and personal harm against the administrative act or provision in question may use all the resources that the law provides." Regarding the deadlines granted for receiving suggestions or oppositions from residents, the Procuraduría General de la Republica in Dictamen N.°C-132-2008 of April 23, 2008, points out:

"The observations or objections of residents to a regulatory plan project must be made within the public hearing referred to in Article 17, subsection 1), of the Ley de Planificación Urbana, therefore the Municipality should not grant additional deadlines outside of that hearing to receive new suggestions or oppositions from residents." (Underlining in the text does not correspond to the original) 2.12.1. Public Hearing Regulation This Regulation aims to establish clear and precise guidelines for conducting the Public Hearing on the Regulatory Plan proposal; it has its legal basis in the following articles of the Código Municipal, Ley N.°7794.

"Article 4- The municipality possesses the political, administrative, and financial autonomy conferred by the Constitución Política. Its powers include the following:

• a)Issue autonomous regulations for organization and service, as well as any other provision authorized by the legal system.
• g)Convene the municipality for popular consultations, for the purposes established in this law and its regulations. (...)" "Article 13. - The powers of the council are: (...)
• c)Issue the regulations of the Corporation, in accordance with this law. (.)
• k)Agree to hold plebiscites, referendums, and town hall meetings in accordance with the regulation that will be drafted with the advice of the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones, observing, regarding the form and implementation of these popular consultations, what is prescribed by current electoral legislation." For its part, Article 43 of the cited norm defines that proposals to modify Regulations must be presented by whoever holds the position of Mayor's Office or a Council Member's Office; as well as their entry into force upon publication or on the indicated date.

As can be seen, the holding of a public hearing, more than a formal requirement, constitutes a genuine opportunity for openness and transparency so that the residents, whom it may Save for the case of internal regulations, the Council shall order the project to be published in La Gaceta and shall submit it to a non-binding public consultation, for a minimum period of ten business days, after which it shall rule on the substance of the matter.

Every regulatory provision must be published in La Gaceta and shall take effect from its publication or from the later date indicated therein.

The regulation of the Public Hearing is essential to guarantee its correct execution and legitimacy, since this mechanism ensures citizen participation in the drafting of Regulatory Plans.

By defining specific criteria for the call, organization, and receipt of observations, the right of citizens to be informed and to actively participate in decisions that plan their territory is protected. Furthermore, a clear regulation promotes transparency, administrative coherence, and avoids inconsistencies and arbitrariness that could give rise to legal challenges, in accordance with the municipal powers to issue autonomous regulations, according to Articles 4 and 13 of the Código Municipal.

Below are the basic contents to be included in the Public Hearing Regulation of the Regulatory Plan, so that the process is participatory, orderly, accessible, and inclusive; and facilitates adequate consultation and citizen input in the formulation, updating, and modification of the Plan.

 Legal Basis  Laws, regulations, and jurisprudence that support the public hearing process and the promulgation of the regulation.

 Object and Principles  Definition of the purpose of the regulation and the applicable principles in the public hearing, such as publicity, citizen participation, accessibility, and inclusion.

 Guidelines Prior to the Public Hearing  Guarantee that the hearing is held in an extraordinary session of the Concejo Municipal.

 Access to the documentation of the Regulatory Plan proposal through digital means.

 Publication and dissemination, 15 days in advance, of the call in the Diario Oficial La Gaceta and other media, indicating location, date, time; the link where the proposal can be consulted, and possible mechanisms for registration for the activity in person and virtually.

 The municipality must consider adopting effective measures to guarantee the full participation of all sectors of the population.

 Modalities of the Hearing  The public hearing must be conducted in person. As it is a space corresponding to an extraordinary session of the Concejo Municipal, it must be broadcast live through digital means, in order to safeguard the protection of the principles of publicity and transparency, as expressed by the Sala Constitucional in Resoluciones N.°20438-2024 and N.°22577-2024.

 The public hearing must also be conducted virtually, guaranteeing real-time synchronization from the in-person venue; for such purposes, it is required to define an official registration process for people wishing to participate remotely, guaranteeing registration with at least the following information: full name, identification number, and email address, where the access link will be sent.

 Guidelines During the Public Hearing  The public hearing regulation must consider aspects during the activity such as: enabled time for entry to the venue, activity start time, council members, communication of rules indicating the activity agenda, the time for interventions, project presentation, question period, and intervention by council members.

 Guidelines Following the Public Hearing  After the hearing, aspects such as the deadline and the enabled means for receiving additional observations, as well as the mechanisms for addressing them, must be considered.

2.12.2. Holding the Public Hearing Once the procedure for the Public Hearing is regulated, it is relevant to highlight that Article 17 of the Ley de Planificación Urbana establishes as an initial requirement for the implementation of a Regulatory Plan the call for a public hearing. This call must be published in the Diario Oficial La Gaceta, specifying the location, date, and time at which it will be held, at least fifteen business days in advance. This must be done without prejudice to any additional dissemination deemed necessary to guarantee broad citizen participation.

During the Public Hearing, it is recommended that the Secretaría of the Concejo Municipal record in minutes all the events of the event, including the place, date, and start time, ensuring that this data coincides with that indicated in the published call. Likewise, it is important to prepare an attendance list that collects the name, identification number, place of residence, contact information, and other relevant data of the participants.

In order for the participants in the Public Hearing to be able to examine the Regulatory Plan proposal, it is recommended that the Planning Team present and explain all the products of the Regulatory Plan proposal.

In relation to the principle of publicity in the procedure for implementing the Regulatory Plan, the Sala Constitucional, in Sentencia N.°004250-2012, issued at 8:30 a.m. on March 30, 2012, establishes that there is no specific regulatory framework that obliges the prior publication of the Regulatory Plan proposal before the holding of the public hearing.

"(...) Ley de Planificación Urbana does not require that the amendment proposal be published prior to the public hearing, as one of the objectives of the hearing is precisely to make the proposal known (see Voto Nº 2011-006163 of nine hours and fifty-five minutes of May thirteenth, two thousand eleven)."

However, it is emphasized that, even though there is no explicit regulatory requirement for the advance publication of the Regulatory Plan, the principle of publicity remains essential throughout the entire process.

In this way, the Sala Constitucional reaffirms the need for the procedure, as a whole, to be transparent and allow citizens to access information in a timely manner, during the different stages of the process and before the final approval of the plan. This is reaffirmed in Sentencia number 2002-03074 of 3:24 p.m. on April 2, 2002:

"On the right to information: The right to information is one of the human rights and refers to an individual public freedom whose respect must be fostered by the State itself. This right is, at the same time, a social right whose protection, exercise, and respect are indispensable for the citizen to take an active part in public tasks and thus be able to participate in decision-making that affects the community. In that sense, it is an inalienable and indispensable human right insofar as it is understood that information means participation.

Thus, if information is a requirement for the individually considered citizen to make decisions, informing, in turn, is promoting citizen participation. (...)" 2.12.3. Compilation of Citizen Observations The compilation of citizen observations made during the Public Hearing is a key step to guarantee that the Regulatory Plan reflects the concerns, contributions, and perspectives of the community. This process allows for identifying relevant suggestions, clarifying doubts, and addressing improvements to the proposal, strengthening transparency and democratic participation in decision-making. It is essential to ensure that the observations are treated with seriousness and consideration, in a way that respects the right of citizens to participate.

To manage these observations effectively, it is recommended to classify contributions according to their nature, differentiating between suggestions that can be incorporated directly, those that require more detailed analysis, and those that are not viable for technical or legal reasons, clearly explaining the reasons. Once identified, the Planning Team, in coordination with the Órgano Local de Planificación Territorial, must evaluate each observation and determine whether it is appropriate to make modifications to the Regulatory Plan proposal.

The Pliego de Condiciones must define the person responsible for addressing all the observations received and for preparing a consolidated report that includes each observation raised by the persons participating in the Public Hearing along with the respective response, indicating whether the suggestion was accepted and integrated, whether it was dismissed and why, or whether more exhaustive analysis is required.

When the modifications made to the Regulatory Plan proposal after the Public Hearing significantly alter its content, the Procuraduría General de la República, in Dictamen N.°C-501-2006 of December 20, 2006, indicated that the local administration has the power to call a new Public Hearing to submit the modifications for consideration by the residents.

"However, the foregoing does not prevent a municipality, if it deems it necessary, from calling a new hearing to submit a project for consideration by the residents, which, although it had been previously presented, was subject to modifications that changed its content. Rather, this is a decision that the local administration is competent to adopt, and which is part of the exercise of the power to order the territory, as a public function."

(Dictamen C-501-2006 of December 20, 2006). (Underlining in the text does not correspond to the original)

This criterion is reaffirmed in Dictamen N.°C-132-2008 of April 23, 2008, which recognizes the possibility of making modifications to the Regulatory Plan proposal after the Public Hearing, including those derived from citizen observations or from new elements identified after said event. In these cases, it is mentioned that such circumstances may justify calling a new Public Hearing to socialize the changes adopted:

"The Municipality may make modifications to a regulatory plan project subsequent to the public hearing held, whether they come from observations made by residents during it, or from surviving elements of judgment that would warn of manifest inconvenience or illegality of one or several aspects contained in the original project; circumstances under which it could even call a new public hearing to learn about the modifications." (Underlining in the text does not correspond to the original) 2.12.4. Public Hearing Report The Public Hearing Report constitutes a fundamental document for validating the effective execution of this participation mechanism, as established by Article 17 of the Ley de Planificación Urbana.

It not only evidences compliance with legal requirements but also serves as technical and administrative support that demonstrates that citizens were provided the opportunity to engage in the territorial planning process. The elements to be included in the Public Hearing Report are described below. (See Figure 34)  General Data of the Public Hearing  Date, time, and place of holding.

 Call in the Diario Oficial La Gaceta: Evidence must be included showing that the call for the Public Hearing was made at least fifteen business days in advance. In said call, the location, date, and time of the public hearing must be specified.

 Record of the attendance list, indicating names, identification numbers, and places of residence of the participants.

 Official minutes of the extraordinary session of the Concejo Municipal holding the Public Hearing.

 Summary of the Proposal Presented  General description of the components of the Regulatory Plan presented during the hearing.

 Materials used in the presentation, such as maps, graphics, and informative documents.

 Record of Citizen Observations  List of the observations raised, classified according to their nature (suggestions, doubts, oppositions).

 Summary of the main points discussed during the hearing.

 Analysis and Assessment of Observations  Identification of the observations accepted, justifying their inclusion in the Regulatory Plan proposal.

 Justification for the observations that were not viable to integrate, indicating the technical, legal, or administrative reasons.

 Actions to Follow  Description of the adjustments made to the proposal based on the accepted observations.

 Communication of pending actions, such as managing a new Public Hearing in the event that the changes made significantly alter the original proposal, as established in Dictámenes N.°C-501-2006 and N.°C-132-2008 of the Procuraduría General de la República.

 Conclusions  Declaration validating that the Public Hearing was held in accordance with current regulations.

 Final recommendations addressed to the Órgano Local de Planificación Territorial and the municipal government for the continuity of the Regulatory Plan approval process.

2.12.5. Considerations for Consultation with Indigenous Peoples In those cantons that include Indigenous Territories within their jurisdiction, it is essential to guarantee respect for and compliance with the rights of indigenous peoples, established in accordance with Ley de Aprobación del Convenio N.°169 Sobre Pueblos Indígenas y Tribales en Países Independientes, Ley N.°7316. This norm provides that indigenous peoples have the right to prior, free, and informed consultation before any administrative or legislative action that may affect their rights, territories, or way of life.

The Reglamento del Mecanismo General de Consulta a Pueblos Indígenas, Decreto Ejecutivo N.°40932-MPMJP, in its Article 2, subsections a) and b), conceptualizes Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous Territory in the following manner:

"Article 2.- Definitions. The following definitions are derived from the applicable regulatory framework:

a. Indigenous peoples. Indigenous peoples shall be understood as those collectives constituted by indigenous persons, direct descendants of pre-Columbian civilizations with their own identity and whose social, cultural, economic, spiritual, and political conditions distinguish them from other sectors of the national community. Indigenous peoples are governed totally or partially by their own customs or traditions or by special legislation and, in turn, retain all or part of their own social, economic, spiritual, cultural, and political institutions. The awareness of their indigenous identity should be considered a fundamental criterion for determining the peoples to whom the provisions of this Mechanism apply.

b. Indigenous territory: In a broad sense, indigenous territory is understood as, the collective property of indigenous peoples that comprises the lands and natural resources that have been traditionally occupied or used by indigenous peoples, without being reduced to the political-administrative delimitation thereof. (.)" The aforementioned regulations establish that indigenous consultation must be carried out in an adequate and timely manner, guaranteeing the active participation of the communities through their representative institutions. According to Article 3, subsection b), this consultation must begin in the initial planning phases, and not be limited only to the time when formal approval is required on the part of the indigenous people.

"Article 3. -Principles.

(.)

b. Free, prior, and informed nature: Essential and inherent elements of every indigenous consultation process, which represent the need to include indigenous peoples susceptible to being affected, in a manner that is:

I. free, that is, voluntary and without the use of coercive measures for this purpose; II. prior, as early as possible in the formulation process of an administrative measure, bill promoted by the Poder Ejecutivo, or private project, that is, in the early stages of the plan and not only when the need arises to obtain the approval of the indigenous people; and, III. informed, as an element that implies the thorough knowledge of the indigenous peoples about the characteristics and implications of the administrative measure, bill promoted by the Poder Ejecutivo, or private project, in accessible and understandable language and format." In this sense, the Sala Constitucional, through Sentencia N.°31756 of 2023, of December 7, 2023, indicated that consultations must be carried out at an appropriate time, before definitive decisions are made on projects or initiatives that may have a direct impact on the rights of indigenous peoples:

"Regarding this same topic, through Voto Nº2000-10075 of 3:15 p.m. on November 10, 2000, this Chamber responded to a request for clarification of Resolución N.°2000-8019, where the scope of Article 15 of Convenio 169 was further examined, affirming that although this instrument does not detail the precise time for conducting the consultation with the communities, (...) it is clear that the legitimate way to comply with the right of indigenous communities to participate effectively implies that the consultation must take place at a time prior to the execution acts and in the most appropriate forms for the specific case." (Sentencia N.°31756 of 2023, of December 7, 2023) (Underlining in the text does not correspond to the original) It should be noted that, according to Article 1, subsection e) of Decreto Ejecutivo N.°40932, a bill, administrative measure, or private initiative is considered to affect the rights of indigenous peoples when it incorporates elements that may modify their legal situation, impact their collective rights, alter their way of life, culture, spirituality, or their social and organizational dynamics. This impact is not limited solely to measures executed directly within indigenous territories but also encompasses those external actions whose effect entails a negative impact on their cultural and collective rights.

For its part, Sentencia N.°032306-2024 of November 1, 2024, from the Sala Constitucional, fundamentally addresses the participation of indigenous peoples in consultation processes or public hearings, emphasizing the importance of their active inclusion in decision-making processes that may affect them.

"(.) the objective of the consultation or public hearing is to genuinely try to achieve an agreement with indigenous communities on measures that directly affect them (i.e., political norms, plans, programs, etc.). Likewise, it has been established that the principle of good faith must guide the conduct of the parties, an essential condition for their understanding and trust and therefore for the effectiveness of the consultation, and that through consultations, active and effective participation of the interested peoples must be ensured. On this topic, jurisprudence has explained that the meaning of active participation is that mere notification to the interested peoples or the holding of informational meetings cannot be admitted as such. That this participation is effective means that the point of view of the peoples must have an impact on the decision adopted by the concerned authorities.

That is to say, the consultation constitutes a process of intercultural dialogue among equals, on the understanding that neither do indigenous peoples have a veto right that allows them to block state decisions, nor does the State have a right to impose its will capriciously on indigenous peoples, but rather an exchange of reasons operates between cultures that have equal dignity and constitutional value." (Underlining in the text does not correspond to the original) The Reglamento del Mecanismo General de Consulta a Pueblos Indígenas, Decreto Ejecutivo N.°40932-MPMJP, determines the functions and actions of the parties involved in the process, with the objective of guaranteeing the correct representation of the interested parties in the consultation.

- Technical Unit for Indigenous Consultation (Unidad Técnica de Consulta Indígena, UTCI): It is an organ of the Ministry of Justice and Peace responsible for the technical and financial management of Indigenous Consultation processes; it ensures compliance with legal frameworks, provides guidance, reviews and validates requests and agreements, facilitates dialogue, monitors compliance, and resolves disputes. Additionally, it receives and evaluates consultation requests, notifies the Territorial Instance for Indigenous Consultation (Instancia Territorial de Consulta Indígena, ITCI), validates the Consultation Plan and the Schedule of Agreements, certifies the exchange of information, and intervenes if there is a risk of irreparable harm to indigenous rights.

- Territorial Instance for Indigenous Consultation (Instancia Territorial de Consulta Indígena, ITCI): Represents the indigenous territory in the consultation process, organizes it in accordance with the respective cultural practices, issues resolutions on consultation requests, and facilitates conflict resolution; it is elected internally within each indigenous territory according to its norms and representation mechanisms. It reviews, approves, or opposes the preliminary decisions of the UTCI, organizes community meetings, ensures internal evaluation, communicates the community's position, and guarantees accountability.

- Interested Counterpart (Contraparte Interesada): Corresponds to the Public Institution or subject of Private Law, interested in carrying out the Consultation process for Indigenous Peoples. It provides all necessary information about the project, the regulatory plan in this context; participates in dialogues and negotiations, and complies with agreements and legal obligations. It is the entity that submits the consultation request, shares detailed information about the plan, participates in negotiations, and reports on the implementation of agreements.

- Observers and Guarantors (Observadores y Garantes): These are public or private organizations, national or international, that request to participate for having a direct interest in its due compliance, as well as in the defense of the collective rights of indigenous peoples. They monitor and support the process, participate at the request of the UTCI or ITCI, observe the procedures, and provide feedback as necessary.

The same regulation establishes the eight stages that must be part of the procedure for conducting a public consultation involving an indigenous people; these are detailed below:

- Consultation Request (Solicitud de la Consulta): The entity responsible for the Regulatory Plan, whether directly the municipality or the planning team, must submit a formal request to the Technical Unit for Indigenous Consultation (UTCI) to initiate the consultation process. It must include details of the proposal, the indigenous peoples and territories affected, the collective rights that could be impacted, and other specific requirements defined in Article 28 of the Decree, its amendments, or the regulation that replaces it.

Indigenous peoples may also request the consultation if they identify a potential impact.

- Admissibility of the Consultation Request (Admisibilidad de la Solicitud de la Consulta): The UTCI reviews the request within a period of 8 business days to verify that it meets all requirements. If information is missing, the applicant is notified to correct it within 5 business days. The UTCI informs the corresponding Territorial Instance for Indigenous Consultation (ITCI), which has 15 business days to approve or oppose the categorization of the consultation.

- Preparatory Agreements for the Consultation (Acuerdos Preparatorios para la Consulta): A first meeting is held between the UTCI, the ITCI, and the Interested Counterpart (the entity proposing the regulatory plan), to agree on the logistical details of the consultation, such as date, place, financing, interpreters, observers, methods of information dissemination, and deadlines for analysis. These agreements are documented in a "Consultation Plan," which the UTCI validates within 8 business days.

- Exchange of Information (Intercambio de Información): The Interested Counterpart provides complete and culturally appropriate information about the Regulatory Plan proposal, in Spanish and in the corresponding indigenous language, including complete details, summaries, and educational materials. Indigenous peoples may share information about their culture and concerns related to the Plan.

- Internal Evaluation of the Indigenous People (Evaluación Interna del Pueblo Indígena): The indigenous community, through its ITCI, performs an internal evaluation of the Regulatory Plan proposal with the help of advisors of its choosing. They analyze potential impacts, benefits, and risks, and decide whether to grant consent or propose modifications. This stage includes community meetings, information distribution, and logistical coordination.

- Dialogue, Negotiation, and Agreements (Dialogo, Negociación y Acuerdos): The UTCI facilitates a dialogue between the indigenous peoples (through the ITCI) and the Interested Counterpart to discuss the community's decision and any proposals. The results may be: consent to the plan, partial agreements, or absence of agreement.

- Finalization of the Consultation Process (Finalización del Proceso de Consulta): The UTCI reviews the legality of the agreements within 10 business days. If necessary, adjustments are made, and once approved, the agreements are formalized in a "Schedule of Agreements" (Pliego de Acuerdos) signed by all parties. If no agreement is reached, the process is formally closed.

- Compliance and Monitoring of Agreements (Cumplimiento y Monitoreo de los Acuerdos): All involved parties monitor the implementation of the agreements. The Interested Counterpart and the indigenous peoples must periodically report progress to the UTCI, which ensures transparency and accountability.

The General Consultation Mechanism for Indigenous Peoples requires this entire process to adhere to the principles of good faith, free, prior, and informed consent, intercultural dialogue, respect for indigenous organizations, and cultural appropriateness; its application is mandatory for the central public administration and voluntary for local governments and other entities.

The corresponding calls must be public and wide-reaching, respecting linguistic and cultural diversity. The process must be transparent and accessible, with publication of the consultation plan, minutes, and agreements.

This chapter develops the matter related to the procedures required to submit the Regulatory Plan proposal to the INVU for review, and thus obtain the approval of its Urban Planning Department. The content defines the specific procedures and requirements for the submission, reception, and review of proposals for the formulation, updating, and modification of the Regulatory Plan to the Institute, and provides guidance on how to proceed regarding an approval or denial resolution.

3.1. SUBMISSION OF THE REGULATORY PLAN FOR REVIEW Every formulation, updating, or modification of a Regulatory Plan must be submitted for review by the Urban Planning Department of the INVU, as established in Articles 10 and 17 of the Urban Planning Law. This step is mandatory before the adoption and implementation of the instrument, for which the municipality must submit the required technical and legal documentation to said instance for its analysis. (See Figure 35)

221 of November 15, 2012, its amendments, or the regulation that replaces it. For such purposes, it is necessary in the first instance to request a quote for the review process from the Urban Planning Department. The procedure and specific requirements for submitting Regulatory Plan proposals are detailed below, depending on whether it is a formulation, an updating, or a modification.

3.1.1. Submission in the case of Formulation of the Regulatory Plan Formulation is one of the modalities for developing a Regulatory Plan for a territory that does not have one previously established. It involves the comprehensive development of the Territorial Diagnosis, the Forecast, the Urban Development Policy, and the Urban Development Regulations, as well as the Incorporation of the Environmental Variable, for the purpose of obtaining the approval of Environmental Viability from SETENA.

For the Formulation of the Regulatory Plan, the process must be carried out through the Single Investment Window (Ventanilla Única de Inversión, VUI). This platform allows municipalities to register documentation and monitor the process. Notification of any observation or admission of the process will be made directly through the system.

For the submission of documentation through the VUI platform, in the case of formulation, the Municipal Council, or any other municipal department designated by it, must address a letter to the INVU containing at least the following aspects.

- Municipal Council Agreement (Acuerdo del Concejo Municipal): The letter must transcribe the agreement according to the minutes of the Municipal Council session where the submission of the Regulatory Plan Formulation proposal for its respective review by the INVU is endorsed.

- Local Territorial Planning Body (Órgano Local de Planificación Territorial): Details of its composition and a list of the individuals who comprise it.

- Planning Team (Equipo Planificador): Details of its composition and a list of the individuals who comprise it; in the event that the Planning Team is composed of the same individuals as the Local Territorial Planning Body, this must be indicated in the letter.

- Attached Documentation (Documentación adjunta): The letter must include a list of the documentation to be submitted to the INVU resulting from the Formulation of the Regulatory Plan; at a minimum, the following must be attached:

- Resolution approving the environmental viability of the incorporation of the environmental variable, granted by SETENA, with its respective cartographic elements; which, given their official nature, cannot be altered by the local government.

- SENARA hydrogeological analysis and resolution, only if applicable, for cantons covered by the Constitutional Court vote, Resolution No. 2008-12109 - Public Hearing Report (Informe de Audiencia Pública) - Citizen Participation Report (Informe de Participación Ciudadana) - Territorial Diagnosis (Diagnóstico Territorial) - Territorial Diagnosis Reports - Cartographic Atlas of the Territorial Diagnosis - Territorial Forecast (Pronóstico Territorial) - Regulatory Plan Proposal (Propuesta del Plan Regulador) - Urban Development Policy - Urban Development Regulations.

- Cartographic Atlas of the Regulatory Plan Formulation Proposal.

- Receipt of the payment made to the INVU for the review of the Regulatory Plan For the elaboration of the elements that make up the Cartographic Atlases, it is recommended to follow the specifications of the "Guide for the Elaboration of Cartography for Regulatory Plans" (Guía para la Elaboración de Cartografía de Planes Reguladores).

3.1.2. Submission in the case of Updating the Regulatory Plan Updating is one of the modalities for developing a Regulatory Plan, where the existing local planning instrument is reviewed and adjusted for one or more of the following purposes: expanding the Planning Area, adapting it to new territorial conditions, or changes in environmental provisions.

It involves the partial or integral updating of the Territorial Diagnosis, the Forecast, the Urban Development Policy, and the Urban Development Regulations, as well as the incorporation of the environmental variable according to the technical procedures defined by SETENA, for the purpose of obtaining the approval or updating of the Environmental Viability.

For the submission of documentation in the case of an updating, the Municipal Council, or any other municipal department designated by it, must send to the email address [email protected] a letter containing at least the following aspects.

- Municipal Council Agreement (Acuerdo del Concejo Municipal): The letter must transcribe the agreement according to the minutes of the Municipal Council session where the submission of the Regulatory Plan Updating for its respective review by the INVU is endorsed.

- Local Territorial Planning Body (Órgano Local de Planificación Territorial): Details of its composition and a list of the individuals who comprise it.

- Planning Team (Equipo Planificador): Details of its composition and a list of the individuals who comprise it. In the event that the Planning Team is composed of the same individuals as the Local Territorial Planning Body, this must be indicated in the letter.

- Attached Documentation (Documentación Adjunta): The letter must include the list of documentation to be submitted to the INVU resulting from the Regulatory Plan Updating; at a minimum, the following must be attached:

- Resolution approving the environmental viability of the incorporation of the environmental variable, granted by SETENA, with its respective cartographic elements; which, given their official nature, cannot be altered by the local government.

- SENARA hydrogeological analysis and resolution, only if applicable, for cantons covered by the Constitutional Court vote, Resolution No. 2008-12109 - Public Hearing Report (Informe de Audiencia Pública) - Citizen Participation Report (Informe de Participación Ciudadana) - Territorial Diagnosis of the Updating (Diagnóstico Territorial de la Actualización) - Territorial Diagnosis Reports - Cartographic Atlas of the Territorial Diagnosis - Territorial Forecast of the Updating (Pronóstico Territorial de la Actualización) - Regulatory Plan Updating Proposal (Propuesta de la Actualización del Plan Regulador) - Urban Development Policy - Urban Development Regulations - Cartographic Atlas of the Regulatory Plan Updating Proposal - Receipt of the payment made to the INVU for the review of the Regulatory Plan For the elaboration of the elements that make up the Cartographic Atlases, it is recommended to follow the specifications of the "Guide for the Elaboration of Cartography for Regulatory Plans" (Guía para la Elaboración de Cartografía de Planes Reguladores).

3.1.3. Submission in the case of Modification of the Regulatory Plan Modification is one of the modalities for developing a Regulatory Plan, which seeks to make specific adjustments to the existing local planning instrument, aimed at resolving specific situations, such as modifying the Urban Development Regulations, adapting certain plan provisions to regulatory changes, or new needs detected in specific areas of the territory, without altering the planning area or its general structure, provided they do not involve alterations to the granted Environmental Viability. It implies only the development or justification of the specific aspects covered by the nature of the modification, whether it is the Territorial Diagnosis, the Forecast, the Urban Development Policy, or the Urban Development Regulations. For the management of any modification, an indication from SETENA is required that what is proposed does not require an alteration to the Environmental Viability granted to the instrument; if said instance indicates that adjustments must be made to the environmental studies, the proposal must be processed under the Regulatory Plan Updating modality.

For the submission of documentation in the case of a modification, the Municipal Council, or any other municipal department designated by it, must send to the email address [email protected] a letter containing at least the following aspects.

- Municipal Council Agreement (Acuerdo del Concejo Municipal): The letter must transcribe the agreement according to the minutes of the Municipal Council session where the submission of the Regulatory Plan Modification for its respective review by the INVU is endorsed.

- Local Territorial Planning Body (Órgano Local de Planificación Territorial): Details of its composition and a list of the individuals who comprise it.

- Planning Team (Equipo Planificador): Details of its composition and a list of the individuals who comprise it. In the event that the Planning Team is composed of the same individuals as the Local Territorial Planning Body, this must be indicated in the letter.

- Attached Documentation (Documentación Adjunta): The letter must include the list of documentation to be submitted to the INVU resulting from the Regulatory Plan Modification. The documents related exclusively to the modified aspects must be attached, which may include:

- A note from SETENA indicating that the modification proposal does not alter the Environmental Viability granted to the Regulatory Plan - Public Hearing Report (Informe de Audiencia Pública) - Citizen Participation Report (Informe de Participación Ciudadana) - Territorial Diagnosis justifying the Modification (Diagnóstico Territorial que justifique la Modificación) - Territorial Diagnosis Reports - Cartographic Atlas of the Territorial Diagnosis - Territorial Forecast exclusively for the aspects to be modified (Pronóstico Territorial exclusivamente para los aspectos a modificar) - Regulatory Plan Modification Proposal (Propuesta de la Modificación del Plan Regulador) - Modified Urban Development Policy - Modified Urban Development Regulations - Cartographic Atlas of the Regulatory Plan Modification Proposal.

- Receipt of the payment made to the INVU for the review of the Regulatory Plan.

3.2. RECEPTION OF THE REGULATORY PLAN The reception of the Regulatory Plan documentation by the INVU does not constitute the technical review process. It is a preliminary step, aimed at verifying whether the municipality has submitted the required deliverable products so that the file can be admitted and assessed in time. This procedure allows the process to be streamlined in cases where the documentation is complete and, at the same time, provides clarity to municipalities when missing products are identified that must be provided to continue the process. Reception varies according to the type of process: formulation, updating, or modification, and its purpose is to establish a single file for its subsequent analysis.

3.2.1. Reception in the case of Formulation of the Regulatory Plan For the Formulation of the Regulatory Plan, the process must be carried out through the Single Investment Window (VUI). This platform allows municipalities to register documentation and monitor the process. Notification of any observation or admission of the process will be made directly through the system. Table 8 summarizes the criteria for receiving documents under the Formulation of the Regulatory Plan modality in order to guide Municipal Governments, the Local Territorial Planning Body, the Planning Team, and the community in general.

Table 8. Reception of documents for Formulation of the Regulatory Plan 3.2.2. Reception in the case of Updating of the Regulatory Plan Under the Updating of the Regulatory Plan modality, the INVU receives the documentation via the email address [email protected]. For such purposes, the following scenarios are considered:

- Scenario 1. Reception of complete information: The INVU verifies that the documentation submitted by the municipality contains the required deliverable products. If the information is complete, the Institute issues an admission note and assigns a case number within a period of 10 business days. Once this confirmation is received, the municipality must make the payment for the review service and submit the corresponding proof, which constitutes the last document of the file. The time allocated to the INVU to carry out the review of the Regulatory Plan Updating proposal is counted from the date on which the receipt of payment in favor of the Institute is submitted.

- Scenario 2. Partial reception of information: The INVU verifies the documentation submitted by the municipality and, within a period of 10 business days, communicates via note the absence of one or more minimum deliverable products. From the date of said notification, the municipality has 10 business days to provide the missing documentation. Once the information is received within the established period, the INVU has 10 business days to formally confirm compliance with the totality of the minimum products and assign the corresponding case number. With this confirmation, the municipality must make the payment for the review service and submit the respective proof, which constitutes the last document of the file.

The time allocated to the INVU to carry out the review of the Regulatory Plan Updating proposal is counted from the date on which the receipt of payment in favor of the Institute is submitted.

- Scenario 3. Expiration of the reception period: The INVU verifies the documentation submitted by the municipality and, within a period of 10 business days, communicates via note the absence of one or more deliverable products. From the date of said notification, the municipality has 10 business days to provide the missing documentation. If the municipality does not submit the information within the established period, the reception period is considered expired. In this case, the process must be restarted, including the computation of deadlines for the verification of documents and the review of the Regulatory Plan Updating proposal. Since the complete delivery of the documentation was not fulfilled, no payment for the review service is applicable.

Table 9 summarizes the criteria for receiving documents under the Updating of the Regulatory Plan modality in order to guide Municipal Governments, the Local Territorial Planning Body, the Planning Team, and the community in general.

Table 9. Reception of documents for Updating of the Regulatory Plan.

3.2.3. Reception in the case of Modification of the Regulatory Plan Under the Modification of the Regulatory Plan modality, the INVU receives the documentation via the email address [email protected].

For such purposes, the following scenarios are considered:

- Scenario 1. Reception of complete information: The INVU verifies that the documentation submitted by the municipality contains the required deliverable products. If the information is complete, the Institute issues an admission note and assigns a case number within a period of 10 business days. Once this confirmation is received, the municipality must make the payment for the review service and submit the corresponding proof, which constitutes the last document of the file. The time allocated to the INVU to carry out the review of the Regulatory Plan Modification proposal is counted from the date on which the receipt of payment in favor of the Institute is submitted.

- Scenario 2. Partial receipt of information: The INVU verifies the documentation submitted by the municipality and, within a period of 10 business days, communicates via official note the absence of one or more minimum deliverable products. From said notification, the municipality has 10 business days to provide the missing documentation. Once the information is received within the established period, the INVU has 10 business days to formally confirm compliance with all minimum products and assign the corresponding procedure number. With this confirmation, the municipality must make the payment for the review service and submit the respective receipt, which constitutes the last document of the file.

The time assigned to the INVU to carry out the review of the proposed Modification of the Plan Regulador is counted from the date on which the receipt of payment in favor of the Institute is submitted.

- Scenario 3.

Table 10 summarizes the criteria for the reception of documents in the modality of Modification of the Plan Regulador in order to guide Municipal Governments, the Local Territorial Planning Body, the Planning Team, and the community in general.

Table 10. Reception of documents for Modification of the Plan Regulador In the event that there is any particularity not covered in the requirements presented above for the reception of documentation, it is essential that it be analyzed in detail with the corresponding reviewing bodies, whether the INVU or SETENA. These entities will evaluate the case and provide the necessary guidance to ensure that the Plan Regulador complies with current regulations and the specific conditions of the canton. Any variation or special situation must be duly addressed in collaboration with said authorities for the formulation, updating, or modification of the local planning instrument.

3.3. REVIEW OF THE PLAN REGULADOR Once the documentation submitted by the municipality is admitted, the INVU will proceed with the technical and legal review of the Plan Regulador. The review of the deliverable products of the Plan Regulador is carried out in accordance with the guidelines established in the Ley de Planificación Urbana and related regulations, and is applied to the fundamental components of the instrument: the Territorial Diagnosis, the Territorial Prognosis, the Urban Development Policy, and the Urban Development Regulations. These criteria ensure that the products meet the territorial planning objectives and the technical standards required for their formulation, updating, or modification.

The review criteria are adjusted according to the modality of the Plan Regulador. In the formulation, all deliverable products are comprehensively reviewed, since the Plan Regulador is drawn up from scratch for a territory that lacks prior regulations. In the case of the updating, only the products that have been adjusted or developed to reflect territorial, regulatory, or social changes in the existing instrument are evaluated. Finally, in the modification, the review focuses exclusively on the products related to the specific aspects that motivated the adjustments to be modified in the Plan Regulador.

In the event that the Municipality develops complementary or additional regulations to the minimum required regulatory bodies determined by the Ley de Planificación Urbana, these must also be submitted for review, insofar as they affect the application of the Plan Regulador due to their relationship with urban planning and land-use planning.

In the following paragraphs, the review criteria for the Territorial Diagnosis, the Territorial Prognosis, the Urban Development Policy, and the Urban Development Regulations are presented in table format. However, when the Plan Regulador includes particular aspects not expressly covered in said tables, the INVU may review additional elements that are pertinent, whether due to their technical relevance, their impact on the application of the instrument, or because they are supported by jurisprudence related to regulatory plans.

Likewise, the INVU may formulate observations of a technical nature with a recommendatory approach, especially when opportunities for improvement are identified that, while not constituting formal non-compliance, may help optimize the quality and coherence of the instrument.

In the specific case of the review of the Cartographic Atlas of the Diagnosis and the Cartographic Atlas of the Proposal, the provisions established in the "Guía para la Elaboración de Cartografía de Planes Reguladores" will be used as guiding input.

3.3.1. Review Criteria for the Territorial Diagnosis The review criteria for the Territorial Diagnosis are intended to guide Municipal Governments, Planning Teams, and the INVU, as the reviewing body, in evaluating compliance with the minimum products required for this stage, in accordance with the provisions of the Ley de Planificación Urbana and related regulations. These criteria aim to ensure that the diagnosis meets the established legal, technical, and methodological requirements, providing a comprehensive and detailed overview of the area to be planned. By evaluating maps, reports, and specific analyses, the criteria allow for the identification of the potentials, limitations, needs, and impacts of the territory, guaranteeing a solid foundation for the subsequent stages of the urban planning process. Subsequently, Table 11 contains the Review Criteria Territorial Diagnosis - Analysis by Axes; and Table 12 details the Review Criteria Territorial Diagnosis - Diagnosis Results.

Table 11. Review Criteria Territorial Diagnosis - Analysis by Axes

Table 12. Review Criteria Territorial Diagnosis - Diagnosis Results 3.3.2. Review Criteria for the Territorial Prognosis The following Table 13 presents the review criteria for the Territorial Prognosis in the preparation of the Plan Regulador. These criteria are based on the Ley de Planificación Urbana and related regulations; their purpose is for the Territorial Prognosis to meet the minimum required standards. Each criterion is aligned with the essential elements that must be addressed at this stage, ensuring that projections and scenarios are developed based on technical analyses oriented to the Area to be Planned.

Table 13. Review Criteria Territorial Prognosis 3.3.3. Review Criteria for Proposal-Urban Development Policy Table 14 details the review criteria for the key components of the Urban Development Policy, in accordance with the Ley de Planificación Urbana and other applicable regulations. Its objective is to guide municipal governments, planning teams, and the INVU in verifying compliance with minimum requirements.

Table 14. Review Criteria for Proposal - Urban Development Policy 3.3.4. Review Criteria for Proposal - Urban Development Regulations (Reglamentos de Desarrollo Urbano) Table 15 presents the review criteria for the Urban Development Regulations (Reglamentos de Desarrollo Urbano) that form a fundamental part of the Plan Regulador. These criteria are designed to guide the Municipal Governments, the Planning Team, and the INVU, as the reviewing entity, in the evaluation and validation of the minimum components required in the regulations as stipulated in the Urban Planning Law (Ley de Planificación Urbana) and other related regulations. The table organizes the Regulations according to their specific nature, whether zoning, subdivision (fraccionamientos) and urbanizations, official map, urban renewal, and construction; establishing descriptions of the requirements according to their legal basis.

Table 15. Review Criteria for Proposal - Urban Development Regulations (Reglamentos de Desarrollo Urbano) 3.4. APPROVAL OF THE PLAN REGULADOR After the review of each of the products detailed in the previous section, the Urban Planning Department (Departamento de Urbanismo) of INVU must communicate to the Municipal Council the resolution of approval or denial so that the proposal for formulation, updating, or modification of the Plan Regulador can be amended. (See Figure 36) 3.4.1. Resolution of Approval of the Plan Regulador In the event of a resolution of approval, the Urban Planning Department (Departamento de Urbanismo) of INVU, through its head, must make a formal communication to the Municipal Council, via official letter, stating that the proposal fully complied with the minimum requirements determined by the regulation for the preparation of the Plan Regulador.

Attached to the note will be the approved digital version of the Plan Regulador, in PDF format, with a watermark on each page and map indicating "Approved" ("Aprobado"); this file will also have the digital signature of the Department head. Additionally, the version of the approved text will be sent in an editable file format, for the purpose of the procedures to be carried out for its publication in the Official Gazette La Gaceta.

The deadline for INVU to make this communication and send the approved final version of the Plan Regulador is 3 calendar weeks, once the 1.5 months established for the review have elapsed.

3.4.2. Resolution of Denial of the Plan Regulador Note: The attached figure is an illustrative suggestion of a guiding nature. The final authorization of the graphic components must comply with the Institutional Brand Book and its authorization is the exclusive competence of the Communication, Promotion, and Press Unit of INVU.

In the case of a resolution of denial, the Urban Planning Department (Departamento de Urbanismo), through its head, must communicate to the Municipal Council via official letter, which aspects must be corrected based on technical and legal grounds, within a maximum period of 3 calendar weeks, once the 1.5 months set for the review have elapsed. For such purposes, INVU will return the reviewed version of the proposal in PDF format, with a watermark on each page indicating "Denied-To Be Corrected" ("Denegado-Para Subsanar"), and with the respective digital signature of the head of the Urban Planning Department (Departamento de Urbanismo).

In this scenario, INVU will grant the respective Municipality an in-person or virtual hearing 30 business days after the official denial notification, following prior coordination between the parties, with the objective of clarifying doubts related to the opinion issued by the Department of Urbanism (Departamento de Urbanismo); it is recommended that members of the Local Planning Body (Órgano Local de Planificación Local) and the Planning Team (Equipo Planificador) participate in the session.

A period of 4 calendar months from the official communication by INVU is granted for the Municipality to rectify the observations made; this period may be extended provided that a note from the Municipal Council (Concejo Municipal) requesting an extension is submitted, indicating the additional time required, which may not exceed 12 calendar months.

In the event that, after the communication of the denial resolution by INVU for the Regulatory Plan (Plan Regulador) proposal, the 4 calendar months established for rectification are exceeded, and neither a product with the required adjustments nor any request for an extension of the period is submitted, the automatic closure of the file for the formulation, update, or modification proposal shall be carried out.

Once the approval resolution for the Regulatory Plan proposal is obtained from INVU, and consequently the final version of the text signed and sealed by the head of the Department of Urbanism is available, the formal adoption of the Regulatory Plan must be carried out by the municipal authority, specifically the Municipal Council, and subsequently proceed with its formal publication in the Official Gazette La Gaceta (Diario Oficial La Gaceta); as determined by Article 17 of the Urban Planning Law (Ley de Planificación Urbana).

4.1. ADOPTION BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL The formal adoption of the Regulatory Plan must take place within the respective Municipal Council, where an agreement reached by an absolute majority of votes is required, as stipulated in subsection 3) of Article 17 of the Urban Planning Law, as well as in subsection 1) of Article 10 of that same regulatory body.

It is imperative that the Municipal Council adopt the final version of the Regulatory Plan document and its Urban Development Regulations (Reglamentos de Desarrollo Urbano) approved by the Department of Urbanism, without making any changes. At this point, any modification to the text could give rise to an irregular adoption process, which would consequently nullify the altered portion of the document, with potential implications for the comprehensive application of the local planning instrument.

The Regulatory Plan must be adopted by the Municipal Council after approval by INVU. It is recommended that the proposal be adopted once its approval has been ruled on by INVU. (See Figure 37) 4.2. PUBLICATION IN LA GACETA After its adoption, the Municipality must publish in La Gaceta the agreed-upon adoption notice, indicating the date from which its application comes into force, in accordance with the mandate of subsection 4) of Article 17 of the Urban Planning Law.

Additionally, together with the adoption notice, the publication in La Gaceta of the complete text of the Regulatory Plan approved by the Department of Urbanism and adopted by the Municipality must be carried out, including the Urban Development Regulations and their respective cartography. The foregoing is consistent with Article 43 of the Municipal Code (Código Municipal), Law No. 7794, and Articles 120 and 240 of the General Public Administration Law (Ley General de Administración Pública), Law No. 6227, with their respective amendments. These norms indicate that all regulatory provisions must be published by said means, and the Regulatory Plan, being a general normative act, both for the Municipality itself and for the private individuals subject to it, according to its scope of application, must comply with such formal publication. (See Figure 38) The Office of the Attorney General of the Republic (Procuraduría General de La República), through opinion No. C-072-98 of April 22, 1998, has indicated this, referring to the publication of the entirety of the Regulatory Plan, including the graphic elements, as a requirement for its effectiveness.

"V.- Need to publish the Plans

"(...) Regulatory Plan, is the local planning instrument that defines, in a set of plans, maps, regulations, and any other document, graphic, or supplement, the development policy and the plans for population distribution, land uses, circulation routes, public services, community facilities, and construction, conservation, and rehabilitation of urban areas."

Therefore, if we previously concluded that regulatory plans must be published in the official gazette, we have that, to the extent that the plans, maps, etc. form an integral part of said plan, they must also be published." Once its formal adoption and due publication in La Gaceta have been carried out, the application of the Regulatory Plan and its Urban Development Regulations is mandatory within the Planning Area (Área de Planificación).

It is relevant to note that, once the Regulatory Plan has been made official through its due publication, it is possible to correct material errors, not conceptual ones, via an errata notice (fe de erratas). For this, the Municipal Government must previously send a note to the INVU Department of Urbanism informing of the errata notice it will proceed to publish; the foregoing in order to verify that the adjustments to be made do not correspond to changes in the form and substance of the Regulatory Plan.

In this regard, opinion No. C-357-2003 of the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic, dated November 13, 2003, states:

"The conceptual error vitiates the will of the body, which does not occur if the error is merely material.

That is, the conceptual error is an error of sense and meaning that casts doubt on what the body that adopted the normative provision intended. The same does not happen with a material error, because from the context it is possible to reasonably establish what the body that adopted the normative provision meant at the time of doing so."

Once the Regulatory Plan is adopted by the Municipal Council and published in La Gaceta for its application, it is important that the municipalities manage what is necessary for its monitoring and evaluation.

The development of a monitoring and evaluation model for the Regulatory Plan is a determining factor, as it serves as an accountability mechanism, which allows for transparency and improvement in institutional management. To carry out the monitoring and evaluation strategy for the Regulatory Plan, measurement and monitoring instruments must be established that can be applied in a practical and objective manner. (See Figure 39) Monitoring and evaluation, as part of the planning cycle, are directly linked to the analysis of public interventions, insofar as they seek to generate relevant information for political decision-making and the improvement of public management.

For both monitoring and evaluation, it is necessary to establish or develop measurement and monitoring instruments that allow them to be applied in a practical and objective manner by the municipality.

5.1. MONITORING Monitoring is a continuous function whose main objective is to provide municipalities and other social actors with early indicators of progress regarding the fulfillment of the urban development objectives set forth in the Urban Development Policy (Política de Desarrollo Urbano) of the Regulatory Plan. For its part, the Guide for the Monitoring of Public Interventions (Guía para el Seguimiento de Intervenciones Públicas) by MIDEPLAN (2021) defines monitoring as:

"Monitoring: a systematic and periodic process of the execution of a public intervention to ascertain the progress in the use of assigned resources and in the achievement of objectives, in order to timely detect deficiencies, obstacles, or adjustment needs." The monitoring process facilitates the collection of information, which strengthens decision-making that allows for adjusting the public intervention and thus increasing the chances of meeting the objectives.

The monitoring process requires the use of an appropriate tool or instrument that allows for systematically recording the advances and changes related to a specific indicator. This instrument must include the necessary elements for detailed programming, so as to facilitate continuous and precise data collection. Furthermore, it must be capable of reflecting both the current state of progress of the indicator at the time of measurement and the accumulated values over time, to provide a complete view of its evolution.

According to the Guide for the Monitoring of Public Interventions by MIDEPLAN (2021), the instrument must include the following elements:

 Elements of the intervention programming: goal, baseline, indicator, indicator formula, estimation of financial resources, frequency of information collection, person responsible for supplying data, risk associated with non-compliance.

 Elements of the indicator's progress: progress data, percentage relationship to what was programmed, executed financial resources, and a cumulative or historical record of the indicator may also be included.

The content of the previous points can be presented in matrix form, including the variables that the Municipal Government deems appropriate. Additionally, other measurement and monitoring instruments may be included, such as:

 Regulatory Plan Monitoring Matrix (Matriz de Seguimiento del Plan Regulador)  Environmental monitoring and follow-up instruments: if existing, defined by SETENA.

 Measurement instruments, methods, or procedures for monitoring the application of the Urban Development Regulations: surveys, interviews, discussion forums, focus groups, analysis of municipal government minutes related to the Regulatory Plan subject, monitoring indicators, interviews with key informants (heads of Departments or Units of endorsements, urban development, among others), statistical analysis of land-use certificates (certificado de uso del suelo), construction permits, business licenses, among others.

The information required to complete the previous instrument is obtained from the implementation of the Regulatory Plan and its Regulations, as well as participatory processes; it must be reflected in an Annual Monitoring Report of the Regulatory Plan (Informe Anual de Seguimiento del Plan Regulador).

It is recommended that the monitoring of the Regulatory Plan implementation be carried out annually and that "Annual Regulatory Plan Monitoring Reports" be formulated.

5.2. EVALUATION The evaluation objectively determines, based on periodic results, the impacts of the Regulatory Plan. Therefore, it is an exercise integrated into its implementation, which allows for identifying the required adjustments in terms of updating or modifying the Local Planning Instrument (Instrumento de Planificación Local). For its part, the Evaluation Manual for Public Interventions (Manual de Evaluación para Intervenciones Públicas) by MIDEPLAN (2017) defines evaluation as: "Evaluation: a systematic assessment of the design, execution, and results of policies, plans, programs, and projects based on a set of pre-established value criteria. This assessment generates evidence-based recommendations to support decision-making and improve public management." It is recommended that at least every 5 years the municipality evaluate the implementation of the Regulatory Plan, analyzing the results included in the "Annual Regulatory Plan Monitoring Reports," cross-referenced with institutional instruments of the local government such as: the Municipal Five-Year Plan (Plan Quinquenal Municipal), Cantonal Development Plan (Plan de Desarrollo Cantonal), Municipal Development Plan (Plan de Desarrollo Municipal), Local Human Development Plan (Plan de Desarrollo Humano Local), Annual Operational Plan (Plan Anual Operativo), technical reports from municipal departments, among others.

Some of the aspects to be assessed are the following:

 Management of Strategic Actions based on indicators or verifiers  Percentage of fulfillment of annual goals  Performance of those responsible for executing Strategic Actions in achieving annual goals  Budgetary availability for achieving annual goals  Results obtained during the participatory process carried out  Compliance with the provisions of the Urban Development Regulations The results obtained from the evaluation developed in this activity are captured in a document called the "Five-Year Evaluation Report of the Regulatory Plan" (Informe quinquenal de evaluación del Plan Regulador), which includes the corresponding recommendations and proposals for update or modification, with technical and legal basis.

It is recommended that during this activity, spaces be provided for the participation of various social actors linked to the Planning Area, in order to gather primary information regarding the real impact of the Regulatory Plan on achieving collectively agreed-upon urban development objectives. Furthermore, these spaces facilitate the validation of the results obtained through the application of the measurement and monitoring instruments proposed in the Monitoring and Evaluation Strategy. It is recommended to use participatory techniques such as assemblies, workshops, discussion forums, forums, information dissemination, citizen science, surveys, interviews with key informants, among others. Additionally, to monitor and assess the application of the Urban Development Regulations, additional measurement instruments, methods, and procedures may be proposed. To monitor and assess matters related to the Environmental Variable, the environmental monitoring and follow-up instruments defined by SETENA in its current regulations, if any exist, must be applied.

5.3. MONITORING AND EVALUATION INDICATORS The Ministry of National Planning and Economic Policy (Ministerio de Planificación Nacional y Política Económica, MIDEPLAN) is the governing body for planning in Costa Rica, in accordance with the National Planning Law (Ley de Planificación Nacional), Law No. 5525, and the General Regulation of the National Planning System, Executive Decree No. 37735-PLAN. Likewise, through the National Evaluation System (Sistema Nacional de Evaluación, SINE), Executive Decree No. 35755-PLAN, the importance of systematically evaluating the performance and results of public policies, plans, and projects is reinforced, in order to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency in public management. Within this framework, and according to the "Indicator Guide: Basic Guidelines for their Development" (Guía de Indicadores: Orientaciones básicas para su elaboración), developed by MIDEPLAN, key aspects related to monitoring and control indicators are described.

SINE promotes the generation of quality information that allows measuring and analyzing progress in public interventions. This system integrates monitoring and evaluation methodologies that contribute to strengthening the decision-making process, ensuring that public resources are used efficiently and oriented towards achieving results.

In this context, having indicators is essential to obtain objective and verifiable information that allows evaluating the impact and results of public policies. MIDEPLAN (2018) defines an indicator as: "A measure that allows knowing the degree of fulfillment of the goals associated with the planned objectives and results." Some of the purposes for creating indicators are:

 Generate useful information to improve the decision-making process, in the various stages of the planning process (design, prognosis, implementation, monitoring, or evaluation) of a policy, plan, program, or project.

 Monitor compliance with agreements and commitments.

 Quantify changes in a situation that was considered to require intervention.

 Establish greater levels of transparency regarding the use of public resources and lay the groundwork for greater commitment to results.

In this sense, indicators allow generating information aimed at supporting decision-making for improved management; simplifying complex issues and interrelationships; and monitoring agreements linked to the intervention.

5.3.1. Classification of Indicators The classification of indicators can be very varied and will depend on the interests, needs, and use intended by those who formulate them. The MIDEPLAN literature linked to evaluation and monitoring coincides on a "generic" classification, where the three most common ways of grouping them are:

according to the level of the results chain, according to hierarchy, and according to performance; these are detailed below in Table 16:

Table 16. Classification of Indicators 5.3.2. Stages for the development of indicators Six stages for developing indicators are suggested, which, although presented sequentially, must be flexible so that at some moments several of the stages can be carried out simultaneously, while at others it may be necessary to go back in the process to expand or redefine some of its elements. (See Figure 40) 5.3.2.1. Analysis of the intervention objectives The objective to be measured is precisely what guides the formulation of the indicator; it is recommended that they present only one action in the infinitive. In this step, the importance of supporting the data that make up the baseline must be highlighted, that is, clearly indicating the source from which said information was taken and the survey year it refers to.

The goals, for their part, are the quantification of the objectives intended to be achieved in the temporal and spatial spheres, considering the necessary resources, which entails the description of the unit of measurement and the amount or quantity.

5.3.2.2. Formulation of indicators To formulate effective indicators, it is essential to be clear about the information needs.

Each indicator must be defined with its name, type, and characteristics, for which the SMART model is recommended:

 Specific: Direct relationship with the goal and the objective, without ambiguity.

 Measurable: Capable of being evaluated objectively and verifiably.

 Achievable/Realistic: Adjusted to available resources and local conditions.

 Relevant: Focused on essential aspects for measuring goals and objectives.

 Time-bound: With a clear deadline for the expected change.

It is recommended to validate that the selected indicators reflect the priorities of the Regulatory Plan and are consistent with the capacities of the actors responsible for their measurement.

5.3.2. Stages for the development of indicators 5.3.2.3. Definition of calculation formulas The formula defines the way to calculate the indicator, considering factors such as:

 Where it is to be measured (geographic space).

 In whom it is to be measured (target population).

 What is to be measured (specific variable).

 What it is to be compared with (baseline or goal).

The most common formulas include percentages, rates, averages, and indices. It is recommended that formulas be simple and understandable to facilitate their application by the persons responsible for monitoring.

5.3.2.4. Establishment of measurement frequency It is important to define the frequency with which the measurement for monitoring each indicator will be carried out. Generally, this frequency is related to the type of indicator defined. In ascending order, input indicators usually require more frequent measurements, followed by activity, product, and effect indicators. Impact indicators, by their nature, usually have a more spaced measurement frequency.

It is recommended to align the measurement frequency with the municipal planning cycles, to ensure that the results obtained are relevant and useful for decision-making.

5.3.2.5. Identification of information sources To calculate the indicator, the sources from which the data will come must be clearly identified. It is important to consider, for example: the availability of the information; in what formats it is found or what the desired format would be, as well as the methods to be used and the frequency for collecting the information.

5.3.2.6. Validation of indicators The validation of indicators constitutes an essential process to guarantee their quality and applicability. This process evaluates various criteria such as: relevance, ensuring that the indicators faithfully reflect the objective intended to be measured; viability, verifying that they can be measured using the available resources, capacities, and data; clarity, guaranteeing that they are understandable for all involved actors; and utility, confirming that the results obtained are practical and effectively contribute to decision-making.

As a complement to the provisions established in this Manual, a series of guides and tools related to the development of Regulatory Plans are included, with the purpose of offering guiding inputs for Municipalities and designated Planning Teams.

These resources are presented in the Annexes section of the Manual, accompanied by a brief description of each.

6.1. GUIDE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CARTOGRAPHY FOR REGULATORY PLANS (INVU) This guide directs municipal governments and planning teams in the development of cartography for Regulatory Plans, providing recommended technical and methodological guidelines for the creation, presentation, review, and validation of maps. Its objective is to provide a clear and understandable graphic representation of the essential elements of the Cartographic Atlas of the Diagnosis and the Regulatory Plan proposal, from the collection of basic data to its final representation. The "Guide for the Development of Cartography for Regulatory Plans" is available for download on the institutional website: www.invu.go.cr.

6.2. GUIDE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE URBAN DEVELOPMENT POLICY (INVU) The "Guide for the Development of the Urban Development Policy" aims to standardize the products of local governments, ensuring that they are oriented towards achieving better results in the different spheres of territorial development. It promotes continuous, planned, and organized growth, with a prospective and strategic vision.

It is presented as a technical and methodological tool that guides the design and formulation of the Urban Development Policy within the Regulatory Plan. It is designed to support municipal governments in implementing a results-based management approach, promoting actions that generate public value and well-being for the population. The document is available for download on the institutional website: https://www.invu.go.cr/leyes-y-reglamentos 6.3. GUIDE FOR THE DRAFTING OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS FOR THE REGULATORY PLAN (INVU) It provides guidelines on the content and organization of urban regulations; it serves as an instructional guide for local governments, ensuring that the minimum aspects required by national regulations, specifically the Urban Planning Law, are included in regulatory plan proposals.

Additionally, it offers recommendations on the structure and drafting of regulatory information, and with its pedagogical approach seeks to facilitate compliance with standards and promote effective urban planning. The document is available for download on the institutional website:

https://www.invu.go.cr/leyes-y-reglamentos 6.4. GUIDE FOR THE INTEGRATION OF DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT AND CLIMATE ACTION IN CANTONAL REGULATORY PLANS (INVU) Establishes guidelines for incorporating Disaster Risk Management and Climate Action into local planning instruments. It proposes that Municipalities introduce the analysis of the climate change variable from the initial stage of the Regulatory Plan approach, with the integration of key actions: reduction of climate-related risk, climate perception, capacity building, and adaptation strategies. Its main objective is that, with the integration of this variable into the processes associated with urban planning, territories resilient to climate change are proposed.

The document is available for download on the institutional website:

https://www.invu.go.cr/leyes-y-reglamentos 6.5. COMMUNICATION GUIDE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF MUNICIPAL REGULATORY PLANS (INVU) This guide is an instrument that promotes the strengthening of municipal regulatory plan management through a comprehensive approach, combining training, digitalization, and effective communication as fundamental pillars of the process.

Its purpose is to establish a clear and efficient communication strategy that accompanies all the stages of development, review, and approval of municipal regulatory plans, fostering citizen participation, transparency, and sustainable urban development. The document is available for download on the institutional website: https://www.invu.go.cr/leyes-y-reglamentos 6.6. GUIDE ON NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS (MINAE) It provides information on measures and recommendations for achieving a "Green City." It is a technical tool designed to guide decision-making in the political, economic, and civil society sectors, in the field of urban development and planning, as well as in sustainability strategies. The proposed actions, inspired and supported by nature, are cost-effective and offer environmental, social, and economic benefits simultaneously. Furthermore, they contribute to increasing the resilience of both ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.

The guide includes a Catalog presenting 24 distinct solutions that can be implemented in urban, peri-urban, and rural settings, with their respective information sheet for execution. The document is available for download on the institutional website: https://biocorredores.org/biodiver-citysanjose/guia-de-soluciones-basadas-en-naturaleza-sbn 6.7. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION MANUALS (MIVAH) The Ministry has two valuable inputs related to participatory processes:

 The Manual de Participación Ciudadana para Procesos de Ordenamiento Territorial y Planificación Urbana, dating from 2022, aimed at facilitating and strengthening citizen involvement in processes such as the preparation of regulatory plans, through recommended provisions that promote participatory processes and drive initiatives where citizens can have direct and indirect influence, within the framework of the provisions of the Ley de Planificación Urbana.

 The document called Construyendo nuestro hábitat desde la participación ciudadana, from 2023, which proposes a series of support tools for work with different community and institutional actors, highlights the importance of the facilitator's role in these processes, and sets out a series of formative techniques to be used.

The documents are available for download on the institutional website:

https://www.mivah.go.cr/Manual_Participacion_Ciudadana.shtml 6.8. ECO-NEIGHBORHOOD MODEL GUIDE FOR COSTA RICA (INVU) This is an instrument developed with the support of the Government of France, whose purpose is to define a model of sustainable and inclusive urban development, providing criteria and tools for the planning, execution, and management of urban projects under the Ecobarrio concept; through the promotion of sustainable practices in areas such as economy, environmental quality, environment, resources, mobility, population, politics, and technology. Its goal is to foster resilient communities, with gender equity, energy efficiency, responsible waste management, and active citizen participation. The document is available for download on the institutional website: https://www.invu.go.cr/leyes-yreglamentos 6.9. MODEL REGULATION FOR OUTDOOR COMMERCE (MINAE-IFAM-TEVU) This corresponds to an input available to municipalities, prepared under the coordination of MINAE, IFAM, and the Transición hacia una Economía Verde Urbana (TEVU) project, which presents a model regulation governing activities derived from the Ley de Comercio al Aire Libre, Ley N.°10126, and related regulations, with the objective of enabling the temporary development of commercial activities in public spaces such as sidewalks, parks, plazas, and public roads; it seeks to promote and expand commerce, optimize the use of public space, guarantee citizen safety, and promote greater economic activity, within a framework that respects the right to free transit and accessibility.

The document is available for download on the institutional website: www.tevucr.org 6.10. GUIDE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC POLICIES (MIDEPLAN) This is an instrument whose purpose is to guide, standardize, and facilitate the formulation and development of public policies in the country. Its constituent elements can be used as a basis for application at all levels of national, sectoral, or subnational planning; as well as in the analysis and characterization of social, economic, or environmental problems, considering contextual specificities and the diversity of the population. It is accompanied by a toolbox to support institutions, which complements the information related to each of the steps and elements that must be considered in a public policy. The document is available for download on the institutional website: https://documentos.mideplan.go.cr/share/s/474cUK4-SQmNV4GE-wQGFA 6.11.

MANUAL ON PROSPECTIVE STUDIES AND TECHNIQUES FOR DEVELOPING FUTURE SCENARIOS (MIDEPLAN) This is a core technical input for the prospective analysis unit and for the public sector in general, which compiles important elements for the development of prospective studies: the main techniques and the basic approach for developing prospective studies in Costa Rica.

The document is structured in two parts. The first part refers to a definition of the basic concepts of prospective studies, their principles, stages, and techniques; and the second part covers matters relating to scenarios and a series of techniques that allow obtaining information for the creation of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed scenarios. The document is available for download on the institutional website: https://documentos.mideplan.go.cr/share/s/eRq-yVBPRLWA4UNCkw6neA.

6.12. INDICATOR GUIDE: BASIC GUIDELINES FOR THEIR DEVELOPMENT (MIDEPLAN) This is a tool whose purpose is to guide individuals working in the public sector on concepts, terminology, and basic elements for the development of indicators, in order to strengthen planning and measure the progress of what has been planned, through monitoring and evaluation, favoring decision-making and, therefore, the improvement of public sector interventions in their various forms. The document is available for download on the institutional website: https://documentos.mideplan.go.cr/share/s/Iny9wiulTiy3QZdWrvq0ew

This chapter compiles the most common questions that arise during the formulation, updating, and modification of Regulatory Plans, as well as in their implementation and follow-up. It is designed as a practical tool for municipal governments, planning teams, and the general public, with the objective of clarifying doubts, providing guidance, and facilitating understanding of the processes established in the MAPRIOT. Each question is answered briefly, clearly, and with justification, following the technical and legal framework of the manual.

7.1. What is MAPRIOT?

It is a technical and normative tool prepared by the INVU that guides municipalities and planning teams in the formulation, updating, and modification of Regulatory Plans, in order to promote balanced and sustainable territorial development.

7.2. What is a Regulatory Plan and what is its importance?

The Regulatory Plan is a technical and legal instrument that defines land use (uso del suelo), development policies, and urban planning regulations. Its implementation is fundamental to guarantee orderly, sustainable, and equitable development of the territory to improve the quality of life of the inhabitants.

7.3. What is the difference between a Total and a Partial Regulatory Plan?

The Total Regulatory Plan covers the entire planned area of the canton (área planificable del cantón), while the Partial one is applied only in specific sectors requiring intervention.

7.4. What does the formulation of a Regulatory Plan consist of?

It is the initial process for developing a Regulatory Plan in territories without prior regulations. It comprises territorial diagnosis, forecast, plan proposal, and the incorporation of the environmental variable (variable ambiental).

7.5. What difference is there between updating and modification of a Regulatory Plan?

Updating involves comprehensively reviewing and adjusting an existing Plan, while modification makes specific adjustments without altering its general structure or the planning area.

7.6. What is the Local Territorial Planning Body (Órgano Local de Planificación Territorial) and what is its role?

It is an instance created by the municipality to coordinate, organize, and participate in the formulation, updating, or modification of the Regulatory Plan. It may be a commission, board, or a technical office.

7.7. What are the steps to prepare a Regulatory Plan?

It is composed of seven stages: Preliminary Preparation, Base Map Preparation, Incorporation of the Environmental Variable, Territorial Diagnosis, Territorial Forecast, Plan Proposal, Public Hearing, and Adoption.

7.8. What is the preliminary delimitation of the planning area?

It is the initial process of defining the territorial scope of the Regulatory Plan, establishing limits and priority intervention areas.

7.9. Why is the citizen participation strategy key?

Citizen participation ensures that the community's needs, expectations, and realities are considered, strengthening the transparency and legitimacy of the Regulatory Plan.

7.10. What information does a base map contain?

The base map presents fundamental cartographic information, such as administrative limits, existing infrastructure, land cover (cobertura del suelo), and official coordinates.

7.11. What does the Incorporation of the Environmental Variable in a Regulatory Plan consist of?

It relates to the generation, analysis, and integration of the studies and products requested by SETENA in the Regulatory Plan, for the subsequent purpose of obtaining the Environmental Viability (Viabilidad Ambiental) for the proposed instrument, through two possible methodologies, as determined by Decreto Ejecutivo N.°44710.

7.12. What aspects are studied in the territorial diagnosis?

The current conditions of the territory are analyzed from five axes: social, physical-spatial, economic, political-institutional, and legal, identifying problems and opportunities.

7.13. What is a territorial forecast and how is it constructed?

It is the projection of future scenarios for the territory, based on current trends and socioeconomic variables. It is constructed through prospective studies and development models.

7.14. What elements make up the Regulatory Plan proposal?

The proposal includes the Urban Development Policy (Política de Desarrollo Urbano) and the Urban Development Regulations (Reglamentos de Desarrollo Urbano), such as zoning (zonificación), subdivision (fraccionamiento), official map, constructions, and urban renewal.

7.15. What is zoning and how is it applied?

Zoning classifies the territory into areas with specific permitted uses, regulating residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and environmental protection activities.

7.16. Why is a public hearing held?

The public hearing allows the community to learn about the Regulatory Plan proposal and submit formal observations before its final approval.

7.17. What happens after the public hearing?

Citizen observations are collected and evaluated, adjusting the Regulatory Plan as appropriate, before sending it for its respective review and approval before the INVU.

7.18. How is a Regulatory Plan formally adopted?

The Concejo Municipal agrees to its formal adoption, and the plan is published in the Diario Oficial La Gaceta for its entry into force.

7.19. What happens if the Regulatory Plan is not approved in the review?

The municipality must correct the observations issued by the INVU and send an adjusted version for a new review.

7.20. What are the advantages of having a Regulatory Plan?

It allows for organizing the territory, improving infrastructure, conserving natural resources, preventing use conflicts, and attracting investment for local development.

7.21. What is an Urban Development Regulation?

It is a set of norms that operationalize the Regulatory Plan, regulating aspects such as zoning, constructions, and subdivision.

7.22. What does "Planned Area of the canton" (Área Planificable del cantón) mean?

It is the portion of the municipal territory that can be regulated through a Regulatory Plan, excluding areas under special regimes.

7.23. What are territorial diagnosis maps?

They are cartographic representations that show key aspects such as informal settlements, current land use, public services, road infrastructure, and critical areas.

7.24. What financial resources can municipalities use to prepare a Regulatory Plan?

Municipal funds, international cooperation, public-private partnerships, or state financing can be managed.

7.25. What happens if there are conflicts between the Regulatory Plan and other instruments?

The Regulatory Plan must be harmonized with other local, regional, and national planning instruments, prioritizing sustainable development and current public policies.

7.26. How should a municipality proceed that began the process of formulation, updating, or modification of its Regulatory Plan, while the previous version of the Manual was in force?

This Manual does not have retroactive effects; that is, adhering to its content is not required for procedures generated previously, while the previous version of this instrument was in force. In these cases, it is at the discretion of each municipal government whether to conform to the guidelines of the MAPRIOT, understanding that it incorporates the mandatory requirements established in the Ley de Planificación Urbana.

REFERENCES Laws of the Republic Asamblea Legislativa de la República de Costa Rica. (1949). Constitución Política de Costa Rica.

Retrieved from the Sistema Costarricense de Información Jurídica http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/ Asamblea Legislativa de la República de Costa Rica. (1968). Ley de Planificación Urbana, Ley N.°4240.

Retrieved from the Sistema Costarricense de Información Jurídica http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/ Asamblea Legislativa de la República de Costa Rica. (1995). Ley Orgánica del Ambiente, Ley N.°7554.

Retrieved from the Sistema Costarricense de Información Jurídica http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/ Asamblea Legislativa de la República de Costa Rica. (1996). Ley Forestal, Ley N.°7575. Retrieved from the Sistema Costarricense de Información Jurídica http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/ Asamblea Legislativa de la República de Costa Rica. (1949). Ley de Construcciones, Ley N.°833.

Retrieved from the Sistema Costarricense de Información Jurídica http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/ Asamblea Legislativa de la República de Costa Rica. (1998). Ley de Uso, Manejo y Conservación de Suelos, Ley N.°7779. Retrieved from the Sistema Costarricense de Información Jurídica http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/ Asamblea Legislativa de la República de Costa Rica. (1972). Ley General de Caminos Públicos, Ley N.°5060. Retrieved from the Sistema Costarricense de Información Jurídica http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/ Asamblea Legislativa de la República de Costa Rica. (1977). Ley sobre la Zona Marítimo Terrestre, Ley N.°6043. Retrieved from the Sistema Costarricense de Información Jurídica http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/ Asamblea Legislativa de la República de Costa Rica. (1973). Ley General de Aviación Civil, Ley N.°5150.

Retrieved from the Sistema Costarricense de Información Jurídica http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/ Asamblea Legislativa de la República de Costa Rica. (1995). Ley sobre Patrimonio Histórico Arquitectónico de Costa Rica, Ley N.°7555. Retrieved from the Sistema Costarricense de Información Jurídica http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/ Asamblea Legislativa de la República de Costa Rica. (1998). Código Municipal, Ley N.°7794. Retrieved from the Sistema Costarricense de Información Jurídica http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/ Asamblea Legislativa de la República de Costa Rica. (1999). Ley Reguladora de la Propiedad en Condominio, Ley N.°7933. Retrieved from the Sistema Costarricense de Información Jurídica http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/ Asamblea Legislativa de la República de Costa Rica. (2006). Ley de Emergencias y Prevención del Riesgo, Ley N.°8488. Retrieved from the Sistema Costarricense de Información Jurídica http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/ Executive Decrees Poder Ejecutivo de la República de Costa Rica. (1994). Decreto Ejecutivo N.°23214-MAG-MIRENEM:

Metodología para Determinar la Capacidad de Uso de Tierras. Retrieved from the Sistema Costarricense de Información Jurídica http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/ Poder Ejecutivo de la República de Costa Rica. (2001). Reglamento a la Ley de Uso, Manejo y Conservación de Suelos, Decreto Ejecutivo N.°29375 MAG-MINAE-S-HACIENDA-MOPT.

Retrieved from the Sistema Costarricense de Información Jurídica http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/ Poder Ejecutivo de la República de Costa Rica. (2015). Decreto Ejecutivo N.°39150-MINAE-MAG-MIVAHPLAN- TUR: Uniformidad en los manuales de Planes Reguladores. Retrieved from the Sistema Costarricense de Información Jurídica http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/ Poder Ejecutivo de la República de Costa Rica. (2018). Decreto Ejecutivo N.°41581-MINAE: Plan Nacional de Descarbonización. Retrieved from the Sistema Costarricense de Información Jurídica http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/ Poder Ejecutivo de la República de Costa Rica. (2019). Decreto Ejecutivo N.°42015-MAG-MINAE-SMIVAH:

Competencia en revisión ambiental. Retrieved from the Sistema Costarricense de Información Jurídica http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/ Poder Ejecutivo de la República de Costa Rica. (2023). Decreto Ejecutivo N.°43467-MP-MIVAH-MINAEPLAN- MOPT: Política Nacional del Hábitat y Sistema Nacional del Hábitat. Retrieved from the Sistema Costarricense de Información Jurídica http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/ Poder Ejecutivo de la República de Costa Rica. (2025). Decreto Ejecutivo N.°44710- MINAE: Reglamento para la Incorporación de la Variable Ambiental en Planes de Ordenamiento Territorial. Retrieved from the Sistema Costarricense de Información Jurídica http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/ National Policies and Plans:

Ministerio de Vivienda y Asentamientos Humanos (MIVAH). (2021). Política Nacional del Hábitat 2021-2040 (PNH). Retrieved from https://www.mivah.go.cr/pnh/ Ministerio de Planificación Nacional y Política Económica (MIDEPLAN). (2023). Plan Nacional de Desarrollo e Inversión Pública 2023-2026 (PNDIP). Retrieved from https://www.mideplan.go.cr/pndip/ Jurisprudence of the Sala Constitucional:

Sala Constitucional de la Corte Suprema de Justicia de Costa Rica. (1993). Sentencia N.°5097-1993 (October 15, 1993): Limitación a la propiedad por planes reguladores. Retrieved from the search system of the Poder Judicial NEXUS https://nexuspj.poder-judicial.go.cr/ Sala Constitucional de la Corte Suprema de Justicia de Costa Rica. (1996). Sentencia N.°4205-1996 (August 20, 1996): Competencia municipal en planificación urbana. Retrieved from the search system of the Poder Judicial NEXUS https://nexuspj.poder-judicial.go.cr/ Sala Constitucional de la Corte Suprema de Justicia de Costa Rica. (2002). Sentencia N.°1220-2002 (February 6, 2002): Requisito de evaluación ambiental. Retrieved from the search system of the Poder Judicial NEXUS https://nexuspj.poder-judicial.go.cr/ Sala Constitucional de la Corte Suprema de Justicia de Costa Rica. (2009). Sentencia N.°3684-2009 (March 6, 2009): Estudios de Impacto Ambiental para modificar el Plan GAM.

Retrieved from the search system of the Poder Judicial NEXUS https://nexuspj.poder-judicial.go.cr/ Sala Constitucional de la Corte Suprema de Justicia de Costa Rica. (2012). Sentencia N.°8892-2012 (June 27, 2012): Aplicación obligatoria de la Matriz de Poás. Retrieved from the search system of the Poder Judicial NEXUS https://nexuspj.poder-judicial.go.cr/ Sala Constitucional de la Corte Suprema de Justicia de Costa Rica. (2006). Sentencia N.°13028-2006 (September 1, 2006): Viabilidad ambiental como requisito. Retrieved from the search system of the Poder Judicial NEXUS https://nexuspj.poder-judicial.go.cr/ Sala Constitucional de la Corte Suprema de Justicia de Costa Rica. (2007). Sentencia N.°2064-2007 (February 14, 2007): Autonomía normativa municipal. Retrieved from the search system of the Poder Judicial NEXUS https://nexuspj.poder-judicial.go.cr/ Sala Constitucional de la Corte Suprema de Justicia de Costa Rica.

(2022). Sentencia N.°10617-2022 (May 13, 2022): Aplicación de Reglamentos INVU. Retrieved from the search system of the Poder Judicial NEXUS https://nexuspj.poder-judicial.go.cr/ Opinions of the Procuraduría General de la República (PGR):

Procuraduría General de la República de Costa Rica. (1994). Dictamen N.°C-062-1994 (April 5, 1994):

Naturaleza jurídica de los Reglamentos de Desarrollo Urbano. Retrieved from the Procuraduría General de la República de Costa Rica https://www.pgr.go.cr/servicios/pronunciamientos-pgr/ Procuraduría General de la República de Costa Rica. (2005). Dictamen N.°C-094-2005 (March 3, 2005): Audiencia pública y viabilidad ambiental. Retrieved from the Procuraduría General de la República de Costa Rica https://www.pgr.go.cr/servicios/pronunciamientos-pgr/ Procuraduría General de la República de Costa Rica. (2011). Dictamen N.°C-256-2011 (October 21, 2011): Medios para declarar calles públicas. Retrieved from the Procuraduría General de la República de Costa Rica https://www.pgr.go.cr/servicios/pronunciamientos-pgr/ Procuraduría General de la República de Costa Rica. (2023). Dictamen N.°PGR-C-250-2023 (November 29, 2023): Conformación del Órgano Local de Planificación Territorial. Retrieved from the Procuraduría General de la República de Costa Rica https://www.pgr.go.cr/servicios/pronunciamientos-pgr/ Procuraduría General de la República de Costa Rica. (2024). Dictamen N.°PGR-C-249-2024 (October 28, 2024): Lineamientos adicionales para planificación territorial. Retrieved from the Procuraduría General de la República de Costa Rica https://www.pgr.go.cr/servicios/pronunciamientos-pgr/ Guides and Technical Resources:

Asociación Internacional para la Participación Pública (IAP2) Latinoamérica. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved from https://www.iap2latinoamerica.org Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo (INVU). (2017). Reglamento de Renovación Urbana (RRU). Retrieved from https://www.invu.go.cr/leyes-y-reglamentos Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo (INVU). (2018). Reglamento de Construcciones (RC).

Retrieved from https://www.invu.go.cr/leyes-y-reglamentos Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo (INVU). (2020). Reglamento de Fraccionamiento y Urbanizaciones (RFU). https://www.invu.go.cr/leyes-y-reglamentos Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo (INVU). (2021). Guía para la integración de la Gestión del Riesgo de Desastre y la Acción Climática en los Planes Reguladores Cantonales. https://www.invu.go.cr/leyes-y-reglamentos Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía (MINAE). (2021). Guía de Soluciones basadas en la Naturaleza (SbN). Retrieved from https://www.biocorredores.org/biodiver-city-sanjose/guia-de-solucionesbasadas-en-naturaleza-sbn Ministerio de Planificación Nacional y Política Económica (MIDEPLAN). (2018). Guía de Indicadores: Orientaciones básicas para su elaboración. Retrieved from https://documentos.mideplan.go.cr/share/s/Iny9wiulTiy3QZdWrvq0ew Ministerio de Planificación Nacional y Política Económica (MIDEPLAN).

(2021). Guía para el Seguimiento de Intervenciones Públicas. Retrieved from https://documentos.mideplan.go.cr/share/s/IOdMSWoNSCCy8VaorhbIlQ Ministerio de Planificación Nacional y Política Económica (MIDEPLAN). (2017). Manual de Evaluación para Intervenciones Públicas. Retrieved from https://documentos.mideplan.go.cr/share/s/6eepeLCESrKkft6Mf5SToA Ministerio de Planificación Nacional y Política Económica (MIDEPLAN). (2015). Manual de Prospectiva y Técnicas para elaborar Escenarios Futuros. Retrieved from https://documentos.mideplan.go.cr/share/s/eRq-yVBPRLWA4UNCkw6neA Proyecto Transición hacia una Economía Verde y Urbana (TEVU). (2023). Propuesta de Reglamento de Comercio al Aire Libre. Retrieved from https://www.tevucr.org/sites/default/files/content/documents/Propuesta%20Reglamento%20Comercio%20al%20Aire%20Libre%204SET23.pdf Guide for the Preparation of Cartography for Regulatory Plans Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................... 4 2. GENERAL ASPECTS ............................................................................................................................................ 5 3. COLLECTION OF INFORMATION FOR CARTOGRAPHY PREPARATION ........................................ 6 3.1. OFFICIAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL ....................................................... 6 3.2. MUNICIPAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION .......................................................................................................... 9 3.3. INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE FIELD .......................................................................................................... 11 4. CARTOGRAPHIC ATLAS OF THE REGULATORY PLAN .......................................................................................... 12 4.1.

BASE MAP ...................................................................................................................................................... 12 4.2. CARTOGRAPHIC ATLAS OF THE DIAGNOSIS. ................................................................................................ 13 4.3. CARTOGRAPHIC ATLAS OF THE PROPOSAL: ................................................................................................ 19 5. STRUCTURE OF THE CARTOGRAPHIC REPRESENTATION ......................................................................... 21 5.1. FORMAT OF THE CARTOGRAPHIC REPRESENTATION .............................................................................. 21 5.2. ELEMENTS COMPRISING A MAP .................................................................................................................. 23 6. MAP TEMPLATES ............................................................................................................................................... 33 7.

PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION FILES ............................................................................................................... 33 7.1. Nomenclature and Storage .......................................................................................................................... 33 8. VERIFICATION INSTRUMENT .................................................................................................................................. 36 9. DEFINITIONS ....................................................................................................................................................... 39 10. ACRONYMS ...................................................................................................................................................... 44 11. REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................................... 44 LIST OF TABLES Table 1.

RNP-IGN Nodes-Entities in the SNIT ............................................................................................................. 7 Table 2. Municipal Nodes in the SNIT ...................................................................................................................... 11 Table 3. RGB Codes for Zoning ..................................................................................................................................... 20 Table 4. Instrument for Verifying Cartography in Regulatory Plans ........................................................................... 39 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Vertical Template ............................................................................................................................................ 22 Figure 2. Horizontal Template ........................................................................................................................................ 23 Figure 3.

Map Margins ................................................................................................................................................... 24 Figure 4. Map Title ....................................................................................................................................................... 25 Figure 5. Map Grid. Metric Coordinates .......................................................................................................................... 26 Figure 6. Legend or Symbology .................................................................................................................................. 27 Figure 7. Labeling of Point, Line, and Polygon Geometries ........................................................................... 28 Figure 8. Numerical Scale. ......................................................................................................................................... 29 Figure 9.

Graphic Scale. ............................................................................................................................................. 29 Figure 10. Representation of Credits ........................................................................................................................ 30 Figure 11. Representation of North ........................................................................................................................... 31 Figure 12. Location Diagram .............................................................................................................................. 32 Figure 13. Institutional Logo ........................................................................................................................................ 32 INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE VIVIENDA Y URBANISMO GUIDE FOR THE PREPARATION OF REGULATORY PLAN CARTOGRAPHY The Board of Directors of the Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo, exercising the powers conferred by Article 5, subsection f) of the Organic Law of the Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo No. 1788 of August 24, 1954, as well as Article 7, subsection 3) of the Urban Planning Law No. 4240 of November 15, 1968, agrees in Ordinary Session No. JDINVU-028-2025, Article III, subsection 1) of November 6, 2025, to approve the "Guide for the Preparation of Regulatory Plan Cartography" associated with the update of the "Manual for Regulatory Plans as a Territorial Planning Instrument (Manual de Planes Reguladores como instrumento de ordenamiento territorial, MAPRIOT)", which textually reads as follows:

INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE VIVIENDA Y URBANISMO GUIDE FOR THE PREPARATION OF REGULATORY PLAN CARTOGRAPHY 1. INTRODUCTION This document corresponds to the Guide for the Preparation of Regulatory Plan Cartography, prepared by the Urbanism Department of the Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo (INVU), in compliance with the mandate given by the Urban Planning Law, Law No. 4240 (LPU), to advise and provide assistance in matters related to the establishment and promotion of urban planning, as well as to monitor the due compliance with the norms contained in said regulatory body.

As addressed in the Manual for the Preparation of Regulatory Plans as a Territorial Planning Instrument (Manual para la Elaboración de Planes Reguladores como Instrumento de Ordenamiento Territorial, MAPRIOT), and in accordance with the Urban Planning Law, Law No. 4240, the process of preparing a Regulatory Plan includes fundamental products such as the Diagnosis (Diagnóstico), the Prognosis (Pronóstico), and the Proposal (Propuesta). The latter is composed of the Urban Development Policy and the Urban Development Regulations. These products constitute key components for territorial planning and are essential for the effective implementation of Regulatory Plans in the territories.

The information contained in this guide is prepared for pedagogical purposes by the Advisory and Training Unit of the Urbanism Department, and is aimed at municipal governments and the planning team to guide them in the formulation, updating, and modification of Regulatory Plans, with emphasis on the content and organization of the Cartographic Atlas of the Territorial Diagnosis and the Cartographic Atlas of the Proposal. In addition to establishing the minimum aspects that must be considered in accordance with the national legal framework, the guide offers suggestions on the structure and content of the maps that make up the Cartographic Atlases.

Likewise, the primary aspect of this document is to offer a clear and detailed framework for the creation of cartography linked to the Diagnosis and Proposal processes of the Regulatory Plan, which are key instruments in territorial planning and development. Said guide develops basic characteristics that a cartographic representation such as a "Map" must contain, integrating geospatial knowledge with relevant legal and urbanistic criteria, guaranteeing that the results are not only precise but also useful and understandable for the different actors involved in territorial management. Having said this, special emphasis is placed on the definition of quality standards, precision, symbology, and cartographic content, as well as the visual understanding of elements that ensure the effectiveness and coherence of regulatory plans.

2. GENERAL ASPECTS The planning of both urban and rural territory is an essential component for the orderly and sustainable development of cities and minor centers. It is for this reason that cartography represents a fundamental role in territorial planning processes, as it details geospatial information in a visual and clear manner, serving as a basis for decision-making regarding land uses, infrastructure and public services, and other aspects. Cartography is much more than a simple graphic representation; it is a strategic tool that facilitates the interpretation of the territory, providing technical support for the management processes of a planning area for a Regulatory Plan.

Consequently, cartography prepared correctly not only complies with the basic standards and elements of representation but is also easily understood by users, being clear, concise, and easy to comprehend, allowing municipal governments, planning teams, and the general public to properly visualize and analyze the characteristics and needs of the territory.

Cartography, as a discipline dealing with the study, design, elaboration, and analysis of maps and graphic representations of the Earth's surface, plays a fundamental role in the preparation of Regulatory Plans, since these are composed, among other elements, of maps that visually organize the necessary information for territorial planning. In this line, Article 1 of the Urban Planning Law, Law No. 4240, establishes that a Regulatory Plan is:

"Regulatory Plan: The local planning instrument that defines, in a set of plans, maps, regulations, and any other document, graphic, or supplement, the development policy and the plans for population distribution, land uses, circulation routes, public services, community facilities, and construction, conservation, and rehabilitation of urban areas." This definition underlines the need to include maps as essential components of the Regulatory Plan, which allow for the graphic depiction of information relevant to territorial planning. Therefore, understanding that a map is the geographical representation of the Earth or part of it on a flat surface, for the required purposes, the Manual for the Preparation of Regulatory Plans as a Territorial Planning Instrument (MAPRIOT) defines the Cartographic Atlas as follows.

"Cartographic atlas (Atlas cartográfico): A document that is part of the Regulatory Plan and contains a set of georeferenced maps, prepared with the official CRTM-05 projection or the projection in force at the time of its creation. This atlas organizes the maps into thematic collections that facilitate the analysis and planning of the territory." Considering what is indicated by the Urban Planning Law and the previous definitions, the preparation of a Regulatory Plan requires a diversity of maps that represent specific aspects of the territory. These maps are grouped into cartographic atlases, which constitute indispensable tools for verifying compliance with legal provisions and facilitating the understanding of the Plan.

The preparation of cartographic atlases not only guarantees compliance with the requirements established by the Urban Planning Law but also facilitates effective communication among local governments, planning teams, and citizens. By organizing maps into thematic collections, a better understanding and a more efficient analysis of the territory are promoted. In this way, cartographic atlases become essential instruments for territorial management, by allowing an integral and systematic vision of the current and future conditions of the planned space.

To operationalize compliance with the requirements of the Urban Planning Law, Law No. 4240, regarding cartographic representation, the Manual for the Preparation of Regulatory Plans as a Territorial Planning Instrument (MAPRIOT) establishes the importance of incorporating at least the following Cartographic Atlases:

▪ Cartographic Atlas of the Territorial Diagnosis (Atlas Cartográfico del Diagnóstico Territorial).

▪ Cartographic Atlas of the Proposal (Atlas Cartográfico de la Propuesta).

3. INFORMATION GATHERING FOR THE PREPARATION OF CARTOGRAPHY Information gathering constitutes an essential step in the preparation of Regulatory Plan cartography, as the precision and reliability of the graphic representations of the territory depend on it. This process requires the integration of geospatial data, cadastral data, and other technical elements from various official sources and registries, both at the national and municipal levels, complemented by information obtained in the field. Said data, stored in official repositories, allow municipalities and planning teams to make informed decisions to ensure that the plans faithfully reflect the conditions and needs of the territory. This chapter describes official sources at the national and municipal levels, in addition to information required in the field.

3.1. OFFICIAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL Official sources of information at the national level provide indispensable geospatial data for the preparation of Regulatory Plan cartography. Through technological platforms, these sources facilitate access to information necessary for urban and territorial planning. Below, available sources and their usefulness in this process are described.

3.1.1. National Territorial Information System (Sistema Nacional de Información Territorial, SNIT) The geo-portal of the National Territorial Information System (Sistema Nacional de Información Territorial, SNIT) is a key technological platform for the creation, access, and use of updated geographic information. This tool allows for the consultation of data at the national, regional, and local levels, providing a centralized source of geospatial information. The available data comes from both public institutions and private actors, such as companies and technical and professional individuals, which enriches the information base.

To facilitate access, the geo-services provided by the Instituto Geográfico Nacional through the SNIT geo-portal have been organized into node groups to form the Costa Rican Data Infrastructure (Infraestructura de Datos de Costa Rica, IDECORI), which is based on information provided by public and private entities or institutions, where said information can be downloaded through georeferenced layers at the following link: SNIT (snitcr.go.cr). See Table 1

Table 1. RNP-IGN-Entity Nodes in the SNIT 3.1.2. Water Directorate of the Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía (MINAE) The National Information System for Integrated Water Resource Management (Sistema Nacional de Información para la Gestión Integrada del Recurso Hídrico, SINIGIRH), provided by the Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía (MINAE), is a platform that gathers key geospatial data related to the use and management of water in the country. This system includes information on water use rights, discharges, aquifers, concessions, and other crucial aspects for the sustainable planning and management of water resources. In addition, it offers a detailed data set that addresses specific aspects of the water resource, such as the location of sites with opinions on the initial point of a runoff section or spring (brote de agua). It also has data on flow measurement points, as well as information on pumping tests in areas where wells have been drilled, and intake points for the use of surface and groundwater in the national territory.

The National Information System for Integrated Water Resource Management has geospatial data that can aid in the urban planning of a territory, allowing for the spatial understanding of water use rights, discharges, aquifers, and concessions granted by MINAE. The above can be consulted at the following web link: SINIGIRH - National Information System for Integrated Water Resource Management.

3.1.3. Geographic Information System, Habitat and Territory (Sistema de Información Geográfica, Hábitat y Territorio, SIGHAT) The Geographic Information System, Habitat and Territory (Sistema de Información Geográfica, Hábitat y Territorio, SIGHAT) is a digital platform developed by the Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo (INVU), which allows citizens in general to interactively and easily access official geospatial information related to the country's territorial planning.

Through SIGHAT, users can consult the current status of the regulatory plans of each canton. This tool allows verification of whether a canton has a local planning instrument, either totally or partially, as well as knowing its creation date, publication in La Gaceta, and whether it is in the process of elaboration or updating. SIGHAT can be consulted at the following web link: SIGHAT - Portal-INVU.

3.1.4. Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC) The Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC) is the entity responsible for the collection, analysis, and dissemination of statistical and official information in the country. Regarding geospatial information and its availability for Geographic Information Systems (GIS), it offers various layers of data or information that can be useful for the management and urban planning of a specific territory, be it a district, canton, or region, allowing for detailed geospatial analyses.

From the above, extensive population-related information and its distribution in the country can be compiled. Additionally, the location of dwellings or the number of dwellings in a space or plot (multifamily) can be detailed, as well as indicators of poverty, inequality, education, employment, and access to health, along with agricultural information from the country.

INEC provides geospatial layers and platforms such as the "Geovisor" that shows and details population information by canton, such as density or the number of dwellings per hectare. All information can be compiled from the following web link: Population and Housing Estimate 2022, or information can be gathered by means of a direct request to the institution. These services are available in formats that can be used by GIS, such as shapefile (SHP) files, among others, allowing their integration into different GIS software.

3.1.5. Ministerio de Vivienda y Asentamientos Humanos (MIVAH) The Ministerio de Vivienda y Asentamientos Humanos (MIVAH) is the governmental entity responsible for leading the policies and guidelines related to territorial planning and human settlements in Costa Rica. Its work focuses on facilitating access to adequate housing, adjusted to the needs of different socioeconomic groups, within a framework of integral and sustainable planning for the country's development. In addition, MIVAH provides detailed cartographic information on housing vouchers (bonos de vivienda), organized into six map viewers covering different territories, both within and outside the Greater Metropolitan Area (Gran Área Metropolitana, GAM).

The online platform allows users to access georeferenced information on the ministry's main activities, classified according to various topics of interest, which facilitates access to key data for decision-making on housing and territorial planning. The above can be consulted at the following link: MIVAH: Geospatial Information On the other hand, one of the main tools offered by MIVAH is "GeoExplora," a platform that promotes the exchange of geospatial information related to territorial planning and human settlements, with the objective of improving and encouraging citizen participation, providing access to evidence-based territorial and urban data. Through this tool, the goal is to facilitate access to geospatial information for the Costa Rican population and optimize the public services provided by the various institutions that interact directly with a specific area, for example, a park. As a means of consultation and visualization, the following link provided by MIVAH can be accessed: GeoExplora (arcgis.com).

3.1.6. Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT) The Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT), through the Secretaría de Planificación Sectorial, has a geo-portal that graphically displays the National Road Network, classified as primary, secondary, tertiary, and crossing routes. This system provides national-level data, graphics, and statistics on national routes and can be consulted to obtain detailed information at the following link: Road Network Information.

Likewise, the Secretaría de Planificación Sectorial has the Sectoral Planning System, available at the following link: PC PEMIST, where updated and official information on specific requests and useful references for the development of each canton's regulatory plans can be accessed.

3.2. MUNICIPAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION Municipal sources of information are fundamental in the planning and management of the territory, as they provide essential, updated, and official data on various aspects of the municipality. This information tends to be continuous and of an exclusive and private nature within the administered limits, meaning its use is restricted to authorities, local entities, and areas dedicated to Urban Planning and Territorial Management.

One of the most relevant components of this information is the geospatial data that each municipality possesses, which includes details on properties (fincas), the road network, the location of public services and infrastructure, and other physical elements relevant to the municipality. Based on these geospatial elements, precise visual representations of the territory can be generated, such as the cartography of regulatory plans. The results of these data facilitate decision-making in areas such as zoning, land use, road infrastructure, and natural resource management.

It is important to consider these sources; their constant updating and continuous precision of information are key to the orderly and sustainable development of the municipality. Due to their official institutional nature and their detail, they are essential for adequate territorial management that responds to the real needs of the community. From the above, the use and compilation of municipal information can be categorized in two ways, which are as follows:

3.2.1. Layers for Exclusive Municipal Use.

Municipalities have exclusive data, such as databases, that allow them to analyze and understand various aspects of their jurisdiction. This information is fundamental for studying the behavior of society, environmental conditions, and economic dynamics within their administrative limits, where local authorities can make informed decisions, plan appropriate public policies, and promote the integral and sustainable development of the community.

Some geospatial information that municipalities have includes:

▪ Delimitation of quadrants: Refers to the urban quadrants delimited by the municipality or INVU.

▪ District and cantonal boundaries: These are the representation of the territorial limits administered by the municipality.

▪ Water bodies: Refers to the locations and categorization of the different water bodies located in the canton, lakes and lagoons, or those requiring a protection range such as springs (Nacientes), water intakes, or wells by concession of MINAE.

▪ Cadastral Information: Refers to the delimitation of properties at the cantonal level, where the shape of each plot is reflected.

▪ Cantonal road network: Refers to all municipal administration roads in the canton, as well as easements (servidumbres) categorized as private.

▪ Water Network: Refers to the locations and categorization of the different rivers, streams, brooks, and irrigation ditches that cross the canton.

▪ Land use: Categorized according to the current land tenure, based on its use, such as commercial, industrial, residential, agricultural, forest cover (protección boscosa), or public.

3.2.2. Spatial Data to be Generated Spatial data to be generated are fundamental for geographic analysis and decision-making in various fields. These data allow for obtaining precise information on the distribution and characteristics of the territory, as well as the identification of areas that must be intervened to complete or have a more robust database in geospatial terms or for the visualization and use of GIS. It is here where authorities can better understand the dynamics of a space, or identify determining information. It refers to all spatial elements that the municipal institution categorizes as representative and important for the preparation of regulatory plan cartography. Some examples of the above are:

▪ Bus and taxi stops, ▪ Location of fiber optics, ▪ Maintenance of green areas, ▪ Informal settlements, among others.

3.2.3. Municipal Nodes in the SNIT In this section on municipal information sources, it is important to highlight that municipal corporations are not only users of the National Territorial Information System (SNIT) but also have the possibility of entering relevant official information. This contribution enriches the system's database with local information on aspects such as infrastructure, land use, public service networks, and other key elements of the municipal territory. Table 2 lists some municipalities that have updated information available for consultation in the SNIT.

Table 2. Municipal Nodes in the SNIT 3.3. INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE FIELD Fieldwork is an indispensable tool for obtaining detailed and precise information about a study area, and it is also a way to keep information updated and detailed. This activity benefits the accuracy of certain data that are not available in secondary sources such as maps, satellite images, or databases. It is for this reason that, through direct observation, fieldwork allows for understanding the physical conditions of the territory or the planning area, such as constructions, existing infrastructure, and the diverse and constant changes in land use (uso del suelo) that may have occurred over time.

Knowing the perceptions and needs of the population allows planners to make more informed decisions adapted to the social and cultural reality of the place. This information is crucial for understanding the current state of the area and detecting needs or problems that are not always reflected in official records or cartographic representations.

In summary, information gathered in the field complements and enriches data obtained from secondary sources, providing a more complete and realistic view of the territory.

3.3.1. Data Collection in the Field Data collection in the field is a key process in any study or research involving the analysis of a specific territory or area. Unlike data obtained through secondary sources such as maps, satellite images, or databases, data collection in the field provides direct and updated information on the real conditions of the place, which allows for a more precise and detailed view of the reality of the studied area.

Qualified technical personnel from the municipality or the planning team conduct direct visits to the territory where they identify problems or needs that are not always reflected in official records or cartographic representations. This approach allows for a direct assessment of aspects such as existing infrastructure, the state of constructions, environmental conditions, and changes in land use, which contributes to improving data accuracy and verifying areas that are not always easily detectable through secondary methods.

Furthermore, data collection in the field facilitates direct contact with the community, where, according to MAPRIOT, participatory processes are detailed at the community, district, and cantonal levels. Some of these processes or field collections can be considered the following:

▪ Terrain changes due to natural incidence, such as landslides, floods, or other natural events ▪ Identification of new routes such as public roads, easements (servidumbre), or trails, for their correct information identification ▪ Location of public lands ▪ Identification of the state of road infrastructure 4. CARTOGRAPHIC ATLAS OF THE REGULATORY PLAN The Cartographic Atlas is a compilation of the cartographic products prepared during the Territorial Diagnosis and the Regulatory Plan Proposal, reflecting land use, infrastructure, risk zones, protection zones, and other key aspects of the territory to be planned. The objective of the Atlas is to provide a consultation and analysis tool to support decision-making in urban and territorial planning, guaranteeing precise and updated geographic information of the study area represented with the CRTM 05 projection system or any other current system. This section details the descriptions of the Base Map, the Cartographic Atlas of the Territorial Diagnosis, and the Cartographic Atlas of the Proposal:

4.1. BASE MAP For the development of the Base Map within the Regulatory Plan process, the stipulations of the Manual for Regulatory Plans as an Instrument of Territorial Planning (Manual Planes Reguladores como Instrumento de Ordenamiento Territorial) must be considered, which indicates in the Definitions section the following:

"Base Map (Mapa Base): Cartographic representation of the Planning Area (Área de Planificación) that includes basic information on the existing elements in the territory, the geographic and political-administrative boundaries, and the corresponding geographic coordinates, using the CRTM-05 system or current projection" Similarly, as indicated by the MAPRIOT, it is a cartographic representation that includes both the Total Area of the Canton and the Specific Planning Area, which includes basic information on existing elements in the territory, geographic and political-administrative boundaries, as well as the corresponding geographic coordinates, using the CRTM-05 system or current projection; said map also functions as a support for the elaboration of the different deliverable products of the Regulatory Plan and is key for developing the analyses that will guide the other cartographic representations of the Local Planning Instrument.

Furthermore, the Base Map allows for the identification of Special Regime Areas (Áreas Bajo Régimen Especial, ABRE), thus facilitating orderly and respectful management of territories under specific protection. The creation of the Base Map is based on the collection of geographic information from various official sources and the integration of essential cartographic coverages representing the key elements of the territory under study.

For the proper development of this Base Map, and according to the Manual for Regulatory Plans as Territorial Planning, the layers that make up the cartographic representation are at least the following:

▪ Provinces, Cantons, Districts, and Localities ▪ Topography (DEM) and Contour Lines (Preferably 1:5000) ▪ Hydrography and Water Bodies ▪ Road Infrastructure (National and Cantonal), Railways, and Bridges ▪ Current Land Uses and Urban Areas ▪ Vegetation Cover (Cobertura Vegetal) ▪ Risk Areas ▪ Special Regime Areas (ABRE) 4.2. CARTOGRAPHIC ATLAS OF THE DIAGNOSIS The Cartographic Atlas of the Territorial Diagnosis is a technical tool that organizes a set of maps designed to analyze and understand the current situation of the area to be planned. These maps, prepared according to the current official projection, allow for the identification, classification, and graphic representation of key elements such as land use, informal settlements, areas with urban renewal potential, public spaces for open-air commerce, the transportation network, and public and communal services. The information contained in this atlas provides a solid basis for conducting a comprehensive diagnosis of the territory, essential for formulating proposals and making decisions within the framework of the Regulatory Plan. The maps that make up this atlas are described below, along with their main characteristics and technical requirements.

4.2.1. Map of Current Land Use:

It is the cartographic representation that shows how lands are concentrated and distributed within a determined area, identifying the different activities carried out in each zone.

This map classifies the land into various categories, according to what exists, thus allowing a clear understanding of the distribution and activities taking place in the area to be planned. Among the main current land uses that must be identified on the map are:

▪ Commerce: Areas dedicated to commercial activities, such as shops, markets, shopping centers, and service zones.

▪ Industry: Lands intended for industrial activity, such as factories, warehouses, and production zones.

▪ Agricultural/Livestock: Zones used for agricultural activities, such as crops, livestock farming, or productive rural zones.

▪ Housing: Residential areas that include single-family homes, multi-family homes, housing developments, and condominiums.

▪ Protected Wild Areas and Natural Reserves: Zones intended for environmental conservation, including natural parks, ecological reserves, or conservation areas.

▪ State Natural Heritage: Areas that have significant ecological or historical value, requiring protection due to their environmental or cultural relevance.

▪ Institutional Areas: Areas occupied by public institutions, such as schools, hospitals, government offices, and other public service infrastructure.

▪ Municipal Property Assets: Lands owned by the municipality, used for various public purposes.

▪ Natural Disaster Risk Areas: Zones identified as vulnerable to natural disasters such as floods, landslides, among others, which require special attention in urban planning.

▪ Airport Approach Cones: Zones near airports, where activities and constructions are regulated due to their proximity to aircraft landing and takeoff routes.

For the elaboration of the Map of Current Land Use, it is necessary for the cartographic representation to include, at a minimum and if they exist, the following layers.

▪ Locality Points.

▪ Cantonal and National Road Network Line.

▪ Water Network Line.

▪ Contour Line Line ▪ Commercial Use Polygon.

▪ Residential Use Polygon.

▪ Industrial Use Polygon.

▪ Agricultural/Livestock Use Polygon.

▪ Institutional and Communal Areas Polygon.

▪ Special Control Areas Polygon (heritage interest zones).

▪ Extraction Areas Polygon (quarries, mines).

▪ Green, Sports, and Cultural Areas Polygon.

▪ Forest Use, Protection Areas, and Natural Reserves Polygon.

▪ Natural Disaster Risk Areas Polygon.

▪ Airport Approach Cones Polygon.

▪ Cantonal Boundary Polygon.

▪ District Boundary Polygon.

▪ Planning Area Polygon.

4.2.2. Map of Informal and Irregular Settlements:

It is a cartographic representation that locates and describes informal and irregular settlements, both in urban and rural zones, developed without formal control, plan, or authorization, that is, those that have not been officially registered nor comply with the urban planning regulations established by local authorities. The key objective of this map is to represent the following:

▪ Location and distribution: Identifies the geographic location of informal and irregular settlements in the determined plannable area, showing how they are distributed across the territory.

▪ Demography: Includes information on the number of families living in these settlements, which helps to gauge their size and understand the magnitude of land informality and irregularity.

For the elaboration of the Map of Informal and Irregular Settlements, it is necessary for the cartographic representation to include, at a minimum, the following layers:

▪ Locality Points.

▪ Cantonal and National Road Network Line.

▪ Water Network Line.

▪ Electrical Network Line.

▪ Telephone Network Line.

▪ District Boundary Polygon.

▪ Cantonal Boundary Polygon.

▪ Informal and Irregular Settlements Polygon.

▪ Planning Area Polygon 4.2.3. Map of Areas with Urban Renewal Potential:

It is the cartographic representation that identifies and visualizes zones within a determined planning area that have the potential to be subject to intervention through urban renewal processes.

This map focuses on areas that require transformation or improvement to adapt to the new social, economic, or environmental needs required by the population. The main objective of the urban renewal map can be categorized into 3 main modalities:

▪ Conservation: Maintain and preserve the historical, architectural, or cultural value of certain areas, so they are conserved while improving living conditions and infrastructure.

▪ Rehabilitation: Improve or restore buildings and urban spaces that are in deteriorated conditions.

▪ Remodeling: Indicates the sectors detailing the process of transforming areas or buildings and public infrastructure, in order to modernize facilities and adapt them to new needs.

For the elaboration of the Map of Areas with Urban Renewal Potential, it is necessary for the cartographic representation to include, at a minimum, the following layers.

▪ Locality Points.

▪ Cantonal and National Road Network Line.

▪ Water Network Line.

▪ Urban Area Polygon.

▪ District Boundary Polygon.

▪ Cantonal Boundary Polygon.

▪ Urban Renewal Zones Polygon.

▪ Planning Area Polygon 4.2.4. Map of Public Spaces for Open-Air Commerce:

It is the cartographic representation that identifies and locates places within a canton, district, or plannable area that are enabled or have the potential to be used as public spaces for commercial activities, such as markets, fairs, open-air sales stands, and other businesses that operate in open spaces temporarily. This map has several important purposes:

▪ Appropriate areas: Locate areas where open-air commerce can develop temporarily and in an orderly manner, and if possible without obstructing the free movement of both pedestrians and vehicles.

▪ Urban planning oversight: Helps local authorities manage and regulate commerce in public spaces, preventing the disorderly occupation of unauthorized areas within urban spaces.

▪ Promotion of local commerce: Identifies the most strategic places for commerce, favoring the dynamization of the local economy and facilitating entrepreneurs' and merchants' access to adequate space for their activities.

For the elaboration of the Map of Public Spaces for Open-Air Commerce, it is necessary for the cartographic representation to include, at a minimum, the following layers.

▪ Locality Points.

▪ Existing Commerce Points.

▪ Cantonal and National Road Network Line.

▪ Water Network Line.

▪ Urban Area Polygon.

▪ Public Lands Polygon.

▪ District Boundary Polygon.

▪ Cantonal Boundary Polygon.

▪ Planning Area Polygon.

4.2.5. Circulation and Transportation Map:

It is a cartographic representation that shows the circulation networks for both people and vehicles within a determined area, and identifies sites such as public transport stops for taxis, buses, trains, or private parking lots; or identifies pedestrian public spaces such as boulevards. Furthermore, said map includes details about paths, streets, avenues, tree-lined walks, highways, public transport routes, as well as pedestrian zones like boulevards and bicycle lanes, to provide a clear view of accessibility and connectivity, both vehicular and pedestrian, within the planning space or area. The Circulation and Transportation Map has various functions and purposes:

▪ Public transport network: Shows bus, train, and taxi routes and stops, helping users identify the nearest sites to access public transport.

▪ Vehicular roads: Indicates existing streets intended for motor vehicles.

▪ Connectivity and accessibility: Allows visualization of how different zones connect to identify congestion points or high-traffic areas.

▪ Mobility improvement: Benefits informed decision-making on how to improve mobility, reduce congestion, and promote the use of public transport.

For the elaboration of the Circulation and Transportation Map, it is necessary for the cartographic representation to include, at a minimum and if they exist, the following layers.

▪ Locality Points.

▪ Taxi Stop Points.

▪ Bus Stop Points.

▪ Train Stop Points.

▪ Water Network Line.

▪ Bicycle Lane (Ciclovía) Line.

▪ Pedestrian Boulevards Line.

▪ Train Track Line.

▪ Existing Sidewalks Line.

▪ Local Primary Road Line.

▪ Local Secondary Road Line.

▪ National Primary Road Line.

▪ National Secondary Road Line.

▪ Public Parking Lots Polygon.

▪ District Boundary Polygon.

▪ Cantonal Boundary Polygon.

▪ Planning Area Polygon.

4.2.6. Map of Public Services:

It is the cartographic representation that shows the location of the infrastructure of essential services existing within a planning area, which includes details about potable water, electricity, sewerage, ordinary waste management, or recyclable and non-traditional waste management systems, among others; and provides key information on the coverage and efficiency of these services in the territory being planned. This type of map has the following purpose:

▪ Location of services: Identifies the specific points where public service networks and facilities are located, such as potable water pipelines, power lines, sewer networks, water treatment plants, and waste collection points.

▪ Coverage: Provides information on the coverage of these services in different areas, that is, how widespread the public service network is.

▪ Critical areas: Highlights critical zones that lack adequate access to these services or that present deficiencies in their infrastructure; this allows for the identification of areas needing intervention or improvement in infrastructure.

For the elaboration of the Map of Public Services, it is necessary for the cartographic representation to include, at a minimum and if they exist, the following layers.

▪ Locality Points.

▪ Water Network Line.

▪ Cantonal and National Road Network Line.

▪ Potable Water Pipeline Network Line.

▪ Electrical Network Line.

▪ Telephone Network Line.

▪ Sanitation or Sanitary Sewer Line.

▪ Planning Area Polygon.

4.2.7. Map of Communal Services:

It is the cartographic representation that locates areas dedicated to communal services within a territory, such as educational centers, health centers, parks, libraries, markets, cemeteries, among others. Furthermore, it provides information on their capacity, proximity, and relationship with the population in their urban environment. The objective of this map is to fulfill the following functions:

. Location of services: Identifies the exact location of the different communal services, facilitating access to information regarding the proximity and distribution of such services.

. Proximity and accessibility: The map shows the proximity of these services to different residential areas or communities, allowing for the identification of whether inhabitants have easy access to them.

For the elaboration of the Map of Communal Services, it is necessary for the cartographic representation to include, at a minimum and if they exist, the following layers.

▪ Populated Places Points.

▪ Public Institutions Points, (Firefighters, Red Cross, Police Force).

▪ Educational Institutions Points, (Schools, High Schools).

▪ Cemetery Points.

▪ Churches Points.

▪ Community Hall Points.

▪ Health Centers Points, (Hospitals, EBAIS, Clinics).

▪ Daycare Centers Points.

▪ Road Network Line.

▪ Recreational Areas Polygon, (Parks).

▪ Cantonal Boundary Polygon.

▪ District Boundary Polygon.

▪ Planning Area Polygon.

4.3. CARTOGRAPHIC ATLAS OF THE PROPOSAL:

The Cartographic Atlas of the Proposal is the technical document that organizes and graphically represents the provisions of the Regulatory Plan for the development and planning of the territory. This atlas includes the Zoning Map, which defines the proposed land uses; the Road Network Map (Mapa de Vialidad), which details the existing road network and connectivity proposals; and the Official Map (Mapa Oficial), which precisely establishes the layouts of public roads and areas designated for communal services and green spaces:

4.3.1. Zoning Map:

It is the cartographic representation of the proposal for a determined Planning Area, fundamental in the urban and territorial planning of the canton, with the objective of organizing and regulating land use through norms and guidelines defined in the Regulatory Plan. Its main function is to classify and delimit the different zones of the territory, specifying the permitted uses in each and the norms that must be complied with.

The Zoning Map not only defines or categorizes land use but also seeks to guarantee orderly, functional, and sustainable development, minimizing conflicts between incompatible uses and promoting the quality of life of the inhabitants, which allows for guiding urban growth in a structured manner, ensuring and respecting environmental conservation.

For the elaboration of the Zoning Map, it is necessary for the cartographic representation to include, at a minimum and if they exist, the following layers:

▪ Locality Points.

▪ Cantonal and National Road Network Line.

▪ Water Network Line.

▪ Contour Lines 1:5000 Line.

▪ Municipal Cadastral Zone Polygon.

▪ District Boundary Polygon.

▪ Cantonal Boundary Polygon.

▪ Proposed Zoning Polygon according to the determined classification.

It should be noted that for the cartographic representation regarding zoning and its different uses, compliance with the following RGB codes is essential for the correct identification and differentiation of each zone on the Map. See Table 3.

Table 3. RGB Codes for Zoning 4.3.2. Road Network Map:

The Road Network Map is a cartographic representation that details the existing national and cantonal road network as well as the proposed roads determined by the planning team, according to the accessibility and connectivity needed within a specific area, be it a canton or district, or the planning area as determined in the Regulatory Plan. This map details the types of existing roads of the National Road Network and Cantonal Road Network.

The Road Network Map is essential for urban planning, as it facilitates decision-making related to improving road infrastructure, reducing congestion, and promoting sustainable mobility for the population.

For the elaboration of the Road Network Map, it is necessary for the cartographic representation to include, at a minimum, the following layers:

▪ Locality Point.

▪ Taxi Stop Points.

▪ Bus Stop Points.

▪ Bridges Line.

▪ National and Cantonal Road Network Line and its categorization.

▪ Water Network Line.

▪ Proposed Road Network Line.

▪ Contour Lines 1:5000 Line.

▪ Urban Quadrant Polygon.

▪ Municipal Cadastral Zone Polygon.

▪ Cantonal Boundary Polygon.

▪ District Boundary Polygon.

▪ Planning Area Polygon.

4.3.3. Official Map It is the cartographic representation of the planning area that precisely indicates the position of the layouts of public roads and areas to be reserved for communal uses and services such as children's playgrounds or communal facilities, in addition to green areas designated for municipal maintenance located within rights-of-way, mostly situated on urbanization processes.

For the elaboration of the Official Map, it is necessary for the cartographic representation to include, at a minimum, the following layers:

▪ Locality Points.

▪ Cantonal and National Road Network Line.

▪ Water Network Line.

▪ Contour Lines 1:5000 Line.

▪ Urban Quadrants Polygon.

▪ Public Use Areas Polygon, (Municipal properties).

▪ Municipal Cadastral Zone Polygon.

▪ District Boundary Polygon.

▪ Cantonal Boundary Polygon.

▪ Planning Area Polygon.

5. STRUCTURE OF THE CARTOGRAPHIC REPRESENTATION The structure of the cartographic representation is a fundamental aspect in the elaboration of maps for regulatory plans, as it ensures the clarity, precision, and utility of the represented geospatial information. This section details the essential elements that must be considered to guarantee a correct presentation of the data, from the format of the cartographic representation, such as vertical or horizontal orientation, to key components such as margins, titles, legends, scales, coordinates, and location diagrams.

5.1. FORMAT OF THE CARTOGRAPHIC REPRESENTATION When representing the geospatial information of a determined territory on a map, the focus for its correct elaboration depends on the scale, shape, and size of the information to be represented, be it the shape of the canton, district, or planning area as determined by the Regulatory Plan.

That said, and based on Geographic Information Systems (GIS), it is fundamental to adapt the correct shape to a scale that provides all the information intended to be represented, and that the detail of the information is correctly visualized, for a precise and comprehensible informative cartographic representation for any user.

Below, the two forms of cartographic representation are detailed according to the shape, size, and scale of use of a determined canton, district, or planning area. For both forms, it is required to use at least the "Tabloide" sheet size, corresponding to dimensions of 432mm long by 279mm wide, in which the appropriate use for representing the information in a detailed and comprehensible manner is determined.

5.1.1. Vertical Vertical orientation is used for graphic representations, mainly for elongated shapes aligned North to South, for the layers of cantons, districts, or the planning area determined in the Regulatory Plan. Furthermore, it is characterized by the difficulty of representing information in a detailed manner at scales smaller than 1:50000.

The recommended scales for vertical orientation, according to the manual for Regulatory Plans as territorial planning (Manual de Planes Reguladores como ordenamiento territorial), are:

. Scale 1:50000, ideal for elongated representation areas, but with little detail . Scale 1:100000, ideal for representing the boundaries of very elongated territorial extensions of a canton, district, or planning area according to the regulatory plan.

Figure 1. Vertical Template 5.1.2. Horizontal Horizontal orientation is used for graphic representations, mainly for elongated shapes aligned West to East, or widened shapes, for the layers of cantons, districts, or the planning area determined in the Regulatory Plan. Furthermore, it is characterized by the difficulty of representing information in a detailed manner at scales larger than 1:50000. It is important to emphasize that, when representing the existence of cantons, districts, or planning areas with elongated West to East shapes that do not fit at scales smaller than the mentioned one, it is recommended to divide it strategically so as not to lose the detail of the information to be represented.

The recommended scales for horizontal orientation, according to the Manual for Regulatory Plans as an Instrument of Territorial Planning (Manual de Planes Reguladores como Instrumento de Ordenamiento Territorial), are:

. Scale 1:5000, ideal for representing a level of detail superior to all other scales Figure 1. Vertical Template . Scale 1:10 000, ideal for areas with high information detail, without losing the boundaries of cantons, districts, or planning areas.

. Scale 1:25 000, suitable for representing broader areas, such as complete cantons or rural zones with lower infrastructure density.

5.2. ELEMENTS CONFORMING A MAP The proper use of cartographic representation is essential to transmit geographic information in a clear, precise, and comprehensible manner. In this sense, local governments, within the framework of the Manual for Regulatory Plans as an Instrument of Territorial Planning, employ maps as key tools for decision-making in urbanism, planning, and territorial management. These maps, whether base, diagnostic, or proposal maps, are prepared from a prior analysis and graphically represent relevant data, adjusting to the scale and the information to be shown.

To guarantee that maps are useful, effective, and comprehensible, they must include certain fundamental cartographic elements that facilitate the interpretation and analysis of geospatial information.

Below, the most important components for the elaboration of a map are detailed, for which, for guiding and graphic purposes, a fictitious canton or Planning Area is developed, which must be considered in the elaboration of maps for Regulatory Plans:

Figure 2. Horizontal Template 5.2.1. Margins This is an element referring to the space at the edges of the sheet and the distinction of informative elements within the map design; additionally, they are the spaces or free areas for developing the graphic and explanatory content. This space is crucial for providing clarity and order in the map presentation, ensuring that the information is not stuck to the edges of the sheet, nor crowded among design elements, which could hinder its reading and comprehension. For some elements such as the title, symbology, credits, and location diagram, it is recommended to place them in each created margin, defined outside the main area of the map, ensuring they do not interfere with the geographic information.

Furthermore, margins help separate the main map content, which improves aesthetics and facilitates map reading, preventing the information from appearing disorganized.

5.2.2. Title:

The title is one of the most important elements on any map, as it provides immediate information about the topic being represented; additionally, it is recommended that it be clear, specific, and detail the purpose of the map at the end of its topic. In the case of Regulatory Plans, the title must include three sections, which are: 1. "Regulatory Plan (Plan Regulador)", 2. Canton [Name of the canton, district, or planning area] with the country, and 3. the purpose of the map [Zoning Map], that is, if the maps described in section 4 are to be represented, they must be named accordingly. An example of the above would be the following:

"Regulatory Plan of the Canton of [Canton Name], Costa Rica [Map Name] Example: Zoning Map-" It should be noted that this example applies as long as the graphic representation (Map) describes only the canton; otherwise, if it is a more specific representation, it must indicate the district, canton, and province. It is important to note that every title must be located at the top of the worksheet, so that the recipient of the information knows at first instance what that graphically presented information refers to.

The recommended way to represent the "Title" on a map is to locate it at the top and centered on the type of sheet to be used, regardless of whether the orientation is vertical or horizontal, and according to the working scale or representation scale of the map. Below, the title is represented for a vertical and horizontal sheet format.

5.2.3. Grid or coordinates A grid or coordinates on a map is a system of horizontal and vertical lines that allows identifying the precise location of a point on the Earth's surface, using a geographic reference system, which for the case of Costa Rica the Official Projection is "CRTM05". For representation on a map, the "grid" becomes fundamental as it is composed of two main types of lines: horizontal lines (latitude) and vertical lines (longitude), which form a grid over the map and provide a clear and precise geographic reference.

This grid facilitates the location of specific points through the coordinates assigned to each intersection of the lines, which allows locating any point on Earth. The geographic coordinate system must always be specified together with the Datum corresponding to the coordinates used, and this information is recorded in the "Credits" element, which is detailed later in section 5.2.7 on "Data or Information Sources".

For the representation of maps for the Regulatory Plans, this guide recommends using metric coordinates over geographic ones, since the scales used for graphic representation are considered small, meaning the level of precision and detail of the area is easily appreciated. Furthermore, metric coordinates are more practical for precise measurements and planning tasks; conversely, geographic coordinates are used only as a secondary reference for the general location of less precise points, or for broader scales.

5.2.3.1. Metric Coordinates Metric coordinates are more useful for local-level planning, precise measurements, and detailed geospatial analyses, due to their accuracy in distances and areas within specific zones. It is for this reason that their use is recommended for the districts, cantons, or planning areas detailed in the Regulatory Plan.

5.2.3.2. Geographic Coordinates:

Geographic coordinates are presented in degrees, minutes, and seconds; they are a precise representation used to define exact locations on the Earth's surface, especially used on broader scales, where maps present more information.

5.2.4. Legend or symbology For the cartographic element, the "Legend" or "Symbology" becomes crucial, as it is where the interpretation of the symbols, colors, and patterns used on the map is located; furthermore, it provides the key to understanding what the different visual elements represent, always distributed in ascending order according to their complexity of visualization, which corresponds to vector geometries in the forms of points, lines, and polygons.

It is important to highlight that all symbology must be contained within the information box and within a margin cited above in section 5.2.1, to maintain order and clarity regarding the information to be represented, this is because the graphic information must be clear, concise, and not interfere with the data to be represented graphically.

5.2.5. Labeling.

Labeling consists of assigning a name to a geometric element within the cartographic representation. One of the benefits of labels is providing direct information without the need to represent it in the symbology; and commonly, they are used to detail characteristics such as the elevation on a contour line, the name of a locality, the identification of a river or stream (quebrada), or the names of the districts or cantons adjacent to the planning area.

This guide recommends that only the previously mentioned elements be labeled, namely: localities, contour lines, rivers or streams, and the cantons or districts of interest, as well as those elements that, although not represented in the symbology or legend, are fundamental for understanding the location of the territory, such as a volcano. At the representation level for Regulatory Plans, the nearest neighbor of a canton or district is sometimes named, always on the understanding that they do not interfere with the respective map information.

As a recommendation and for a better understanding of the information on the map, it is suggested that labels on linear geometry be represented in three ways: on the line, above the line, or below the line, always maintaining a curved factor in all cases. Regarding point geometry, the name must be assigned in the upper right or left corner, ensuring that the corresponding point is clearly visible on the map; finally, for polygons, their labeling must be centered.

It should be noted that this labeling practice is carried out due to the impossibility of clustering categorized geometric elements in an orderly manner within a "Symbology," since the design for such geometries on the map corresponds to a single shape and color according to what is desired to be represented.

5.2.6. Scale The scale is a fundamental tool for knowing the proportions between the distances on the map and the real distances on the ground. On maps for Regulatory Plans, it is essential that the scale allows a precise reading of the area of interest, especially in urban development projects or in the location of infrastructure.

The scale can be represented in two ways, both of which it is recommended be indicated on every map to be made, and which Geographic Information Systems (GIS) already automatically consider, which are:

5.2.6.1. Numerical To represent the numerical scale on a map, the word "Scale" must be indicated and the numerical relationship continuously added, showing integer values, the same as those in which the map was set. Furthermore, this scale must match the printing scale, since it is through this element that the corresponding measurements are physically verified. Likewise, this element must be contained within one of the margins designated in section 5.2.1 cited above.

By way of example, the numerical scale of 1:60000 is detailed, which means that 1 unit on the map (for example, 1 centimeter) represents 60000 units in reality (on the ground). That is, each centimeter on the map corresponds to 60000 centimeters on the Earth's surface, which is equivalent to 6000 meters, or 6 kilometers.

5.2.6.2. Graphic The graphic scale is a visual tool used in cartography, especially useful for measuring distances directly and quickly on maps at a more local scale. Its main advantage is that it offers a simple and understandable visual representation of the relationship between the map and reality. Based on the above, it is recommended that it not be disproportionate; that is, 1/8, 1/4, and 1/3 of the mappable area are considered acceptable. It must be simple, indicating the units of measurement (meters or kilometers).

5.2.7. Data or Information Source:

Within the structure of the maps, it is fundamental that the official information sources, both municipal and institutional, are clearly reflected, since said reflected information comes from such institutions; additionally, it is essential that the elaboration and the date on which it was created are indicated. This ensures the reliability of the represented data and provides the user with the certainty that the information is correct, in addition to the knowledge of the date of elaboration and its author. Therefore, it is crucial to include an element detailing the references to the data sources used in the elaboration of the map, specifying the organization or entity that has provided the geographic information. This process not only grants validity and transparency to the map, but also facilitates its updating when necessary.

Often, the location of the "Data Source" is usually found at the bottom of the map, detailing informative characteristics that the map represents. Below, two ways of representing this element are detailed, one mandatory and the other optional.

5.2.7.1. Credits This is the information that must be represented mandatorily, and it must include the data of the authorship and the cartographic design of the map; the author is the one who provided the data or the company, institution, or person in charge of the "Elaboration" of the final map designs. On the other hand, there are the "Sources" used, whether open access systems or platforms with official information, as well as the possibility of information collected in the field. Also detailed is the "Projection" and the "Datum" of the geospatial information used and projected on the Map, and finally the "Date" indicating only the month and year in which the cartographic representation was elaborated.

5.2.7.2. Comments and Additional Notes:

In some cases, and optionally, it may be useful to include comments or additional notes on particular aspects of the map. This may include clarifications on vague boundaries, special land-use conditions, recommendations for intervention, or simply specifying detail on maps that address complex issues or require a deeper understanding.

5.2.8. Orientation (North Arrow) The orientation or "north arrow" is an indispensable element in the creation of maps; this element is an indication of the cardinal point of north on the map, to provide a spatial reference that helps users orient themselves. It is recommended that this symbol be simple, consisting at least of a line with an arrow and the letter "N" or the word "North," with the possibility of being represented by an arrow, a compass rose, or simply a symbol indicating the north orientation with its respective "N". The location is strategic on the map so that it does not interfere with the represented information, as they are generally located in the upper right or left corners, within a "grid," an element cited above in section 5.2.3 of this guide.

This spatial reference is useful when combining different types of maps or integrating them with other information sources.

5.2.9. Location Diagram A location diagram is an element that shows the location of the study or intervention area, highlighting its location within a larger territory, such as a canton, region, or country. Unlike other cartographic elements, it is represented at a large scale, allowing visualization of the proportional relationship of the study area with respect to the general territory. This type of diagram is used on maps to quickly identify the exact location of the study area, whether at the country, province, canton, district, or any other relevant geographic division level.

5.2.10. Institutional Logo.

In the elaboration of Regulatory Plans, and as indicated in the Urban Planning Law and the Manual for Regulatory Plans as a Tool for Territorial Zoning, municipalities are responsible and in charge, through the planning team, of the local planning instrument and therefore of the designs of each cartographic representation. In this process, it is fundamental that the government institution includes its institutional logo on the map, which indicates that it has been approved and reviewed by the entity. This also demonstrates that the municipality is in charge of the elaboration of the cartographic representation of the canton, guaranteeing its validity and authority.

The recommendation for the location of the institutional logo is that it be located within the information box, and in its corresponding "Margin" either before or after the "Data or Information Sources" element described in section 5.2.7 cited above in this guide.

6. MAP TEMPLATES A template is a document, file, or predesigned structure used as a basis to create other documents or products with a standardized format and design, which benefits in time savings for the representation or creation of the final product, helps maintain a uniform design in all cartographic representations, and facilitates use for people without experience in design and use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

To facilitate the persons in charge, such as municipal technical staff, private companies, and individual natural persons, in the development of cartographic representations; this guide develops and makes available to the public, with the purpose of simplifying the creation process and for a strictly guiding purpose, the templates in "Vertical" and "Horizontal" format, developed in the previous sections and enabled in a format with the minimum required size corresponding to "Tabloid" with the measurements described in this "Guide for the Elaboration of Cartography in Regulatory Plans" created from Geographic Information Systems, specifically from the Free Software Quantum Gis (Qgis 3.30.3).

7. PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION FILES The correct presentation of the information files used in the elaboration of the maps or cartographic representations of the Regulatory Plans is essential to guarantee the organization, accessibility, and traceability of the data. This section establishes the guidelines and order for their adequate presentation and subsequent review by the Urbanism Department of the Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo (INVU), of all the files that are part of the cartographic process and that make up the Cartographic Atlas described in section 4 of this guide.

Some important aspects to consider are that all files must be identifiable with their respective names; that is, the location or storage, the name or nomenclature, and the distribution of each file used in the Geographic Information Systems for the elaboration of the cartographic representations defined in the Manual for Regulatory Plans as a Tool for Territorial Zoning becomes vitally important.

Below, for guiding purposes, the orderly way of presenting the files used in each map is detailed, as well as the correct way to store them for their subsequent review.

7.1. Nomenclature and Storage It is used to identify, classify, and name the files coherently, to guarantee that each file is easily identified and located. Furthermore, it guarantees that there is no duplication in the handling of files on each map, and consequently in the software used for the elaboration of these geospatial layers. By way of recommendation, some examples of the nomenclature and its correct storage used for the name of folders, project, and layers in "shapefile" format in the elaboration of Cartography in Regulatory Plans are detailed.

7.1.1. Folders:

Folders are named and distributed according to the order of priority or level of information, requirements according to the MAPRIOT and maps or cartographic products. By way of example, the following nomenclature is detailed: PR_[PC code]_[CN], where PR = Regulatory Plan, PC = Province-Canton and CN = Canton Name, and its distribution is as follows:

Nomenclature and Storage Model . Level 1= PR_[PC code]_[CN] . Level 2= PR_[PC code]_[CN]_Cartographic Atlas . Level 3= PR_[PC code]_[CN]_Base Map . Level 3= PR_[PC code]_[CN]_Diagnostic Atlas . Level 4= PR_[PC code]_[CN]_Current land use . Level 4= PR_[PC code]_[CN]_Informal and irregular Settlements.

. Level 4= PR_[PC code]_[CN]_Areas with potential for urban Renewal . Level 4= PR_[PC code]_[CN]_Public Spaces for open-air commerce . Level 4= PR_[PC code]_[CN]_Circulation and Transportation . Level 4= PR_[PC code]_[CN]_Public Services . Level 4= PR_[PC code]_[CN]_Communal Services . Level 3= PR_[PC code]_[CN]_Proposal Atlas . Level 4= Level 4: PR_[PC code]_[CN]_Zoning . Level 4= PR_[PC code]_[CN]_Road Network . Level 4= PR_[PC code]_[CN]_Official . Level 3= PR_[PC code]_[CN]_Maps Example of Nomenclature and Storage Model Level 1= PR_801_Canton Name . PR_801_Canton Name_Project . Level 2= PR_801_Canton Name_Cartographic Atlas . Level 3= PR_801_Canton Name_Base Map . 801_Canton Name_Province.shp . 801_Canton Name_canton.shp . 801_Canton Name_Districts.shp . 801_Canton Name_Localities.shp . 801_Canton Name_DEM.shp . 801_Canton Name_1:5000.shp . 801_Canton Name_Hydrography.shp . 801_Canton Name_WaterBodies.shp . 801_Canton Name_RoadNetwork.shp . 801_Canton Name_RailwaysandBridges.shp . 801_Canton Name_CurrentLandUses.shp . 801_Canton Name_UrbanAreas.shp . 801_Canton Name_LandCover.shp (cobertura vegetal) . 801_Canton Name_RiskAreas.shp . 801_Canton Name_ABREAreas.shp . Level 3= PR_801_Canton Name_Diagnostic Atlas . Level 4= PR_801_Canton Name _Current land use . Level 4= PR_801_Canton Name _Informal and irregular Settlements.

. Level 4= PR_801_Canton Name_Areas with potential for urban Renewal . Level 4= PR_801_Canton Name_Public Spaces for open-air commerce . Level 4= PR_801_Canton Name_Circulation and Transportation . Level 4= PR_801_Canton Name_Public Services . Level 4= PR_801_Canton Name_Communal Services . Level 3= PR_801_Canton Name_Proposal Atlas . Level 4= PR_801_Canton Name_Zoning . Level 4= PR_801_Canton Name_Road Network . Level 4= PR_801_Canton Name _Official . Level 3= PR_801_Canton Name_Maps . M_801_Canton Name_Current land use.pdf . M_801_Canton Name_Informal and irregular Settlements.pdf . M_801_Canton Name_Areas with potential for urban Renewal.pdf . M_801_Canton Name_Public Spaces for open-air commerce.pdf . M_801_Canton Name_Circulation and Transportation.pdf . M_801_Canton Name_Public Services.pdf . M_801_Canton Name_Communal Services.pdf . M_801_Canton Name_Zoning.pdf . M_801_Canton Name_Road Network.pdf . M_801_Canton Name_Official.pdf 7.1.2. Project:

This is the name of the file that was created in a Geographic Information System, and that has all the layers used directed to their corresponding storage folders. This file must be located at the first storage level with the following name:

. PR_[PC code]_[CN]_Project 7.1.3. Layers:

The specific name is detailed for all the layers used for all the maps to be made, in such a way that their location at the different storage levels is identified; therefore, if there is a layer not found within Level 3 of "Base Map," it must be contained within the corresponding folder, according to the detail of layers for each map, both from the Diagnostic Cartographic Atlas and the Proposal Cartographic Atlas, as indicated in this Guide for the Elaboration of Cartography in Regulatory Plans. Below, as an example, the layers that must be included at a minimum within "Level 3" of the Base Map are detailed:

[PC code]_[CN]_Province.shp [PC code]_[CN]_canton.shp [PC code]_[CN]_Districts.shp [PC code]_[CN]_Localities.shp [PC code]_[CN]_DEM.shp [PC code]_[CN]_ContourLines1:5000.shp [PC code]_[CN]_Hydrography.shp [PC code]_[CN]_WaterBodies.shp [PC code]_[CN]_RoadNetwork.shp [PC code]_[CN]_RailwaysandBridges.shp [PC code]_[CN]_CurrentLandUses.shp [PC code]_[CN]_UrbanAreas.shp [PC code]_[CN]_LandCover.shp (cobertura vegetal) [PC code]_[CN]_RiskAreas.shp [PC code]_[CN]_ABREAreas.shp 7.1.4. Maps: Corresponds to all the products elaborated using the respective layers, according to the Manual for Regulatory Plans as a Tool for Territorial Zoning and this guide, which are represented in PDF formats with their respective name and must be stored within Level 3, which corresponds to "Maps". Below, and as an example, the respective name of the Diagnostic Stage maps is detailed:

M_[PC code]_[CN]_Current land use.pdf M_[PC code]_[CN]_Informal and irregular Settlements.pdf M_[PC code]_[CN]_Areas with potential for urban Renewal.pdf M_[PC code]_[CN]_Public Spaces for open-air commerce.pdf M_[PC code]_[CN]_Circulation and Transportation.pdf M_[PC code]_[CN]_Public Services.pdf M_[PC code]_[CN]_Communal Services.pdf 8. VERIFICATION INSTRUMENT The following table corresponds to the Verification Instrument for the Cartographic Atlases of the Regulatory Plan. This is provided to municipal governments and planning teams dedicated to the formulation, updating, and modification of Regulatory Plans. Likewise, the verification instrument guides the INVU as the reviewing entity in the verification of the deliverable products.

2 Storage Review 3. Map Review 4. ShapeFile (.shp) Layer Review 5. Project Review.

6. Observations.

Table 4. Verification Instrument for Cartography in Regulatory Plans 9. DEFINITIONS For the purposes of understanding this guide, the following terms have the meaning indicated, coming from the Urban Planning Law; Law No. 4240, the Urban Development Regulations of national scope, and other instruments made official by the INVU.

9.1. Canton Area: Total territorial extension of a canton, officially delimited through legal provisions. It may include both urban and rural areas, and is under the jurisdiction of the corresponding municipal government for its administration and regulation, in accordance with the Costa Rican regulatory framework.

9.2. Planning Area: Also called area to be planned, it is the territory delimited by municipal governments to be regulated through the local planning instrument, within their jurisdiction and in the exercise of their powers to order the development of urban and rural areas. This area may extend to other sectors of the canton when there are justified reasons to apply a specific control regime, in accordance with Article 15 of the Urban Planning Law, Law No. 4240.

9.3. Rural Area: Portion of territory characterized by the interaction between society, the environment, and the productive activities carried out on the land, this being its main economic resource. These zones are predominantly destined for agricultural, livestock, forestry, agroecological, agro-tourism uses, and other related activities, which maintain a close relationship with the natural environment and the sociocultural identity of the communities that inhabit them.

9.4. Urban Area: The territorial scope of development of a population center. It includes the urban quadrant (cuadrante urbano) or any other city system developed radially or polygonally. It may be located inside or outside the Great Metropolitan Area.

9.5. Informal Settlements: Buildings located on land that has been occupied, even though their inhabitants do not have legal tenure. They are commonly known as squatter settlements (asentamientos en condición de precario).

9.6. Irregular Settlements: Buildings and urban infrastructure that, even though their occupants have legal tenure of the land, have been developed without observing the subdivision (fraccionamiento), urbanization, and construction regulations.

9.7. Cartographic Atlas: Document that forms part of the Regulatory Plan and contains a set of georeferenced maps, elaborated with the official projection CRTM-05 or the projection in force at the time of its creation. This atlas organizes the maps into thematic collections that facilitate territorial analysis and planning.

9.8. Canton: Territorial jurisdiction of the municipality, whose capital is the seat of the municipal government; it is defined as the second-order administrative territorial subunit of the country, since it possesses local government, by constitutional mandate, according to Declares official for administrative purposes, the approval of the Administrative Territorial Division of the Republic, Executive Decree No. 41548-MGP, its reforms, or the regulations that replace it.

9.9. Circulation: Transit or movement of vehicles, people, goods, cargo, or livestock on public roads.

9.10. Urban Quadrant (Cuadrante Urbano): It is the urban area or territorial scope of development of a population center, where the majority of goods and services, the road structure, and its immediate area of influence are found; urban quadrants are located within urban districts. For the purposes of applying Article 40 of the Urban Planning Law, the city quadrant is considered the urban quadrant.

9.11. Datum: Fundamental point serving as a reference for a coordinate system, according to the Technical Standard for Geographic Information. NTIG_CR01_01.2016: Geodetic Reference System of Costa Rica, of the Instituto Geográfico Nacional, Directive No. GIG-001-2016.

9.12. Diagnosis of the Regulatory Plan: It is the detailed analysis that allows identifying the current conditions of the territory, evaluating its characteristics, problems, and available resources. This comprehensive study provides a solid basis for defining the intervention needs and guiding future actions in territorial development.

9.13. District: It is the third-order administrative territorial subunit of the country, and is subordinated by the province and by the canton, and all the districts together make up the territory of the Republic of Costa Rica; according to Declares official for administrative purposes, the approval of the Administrative Territorial Division of the Republic, Executive Decree No. 41548-MGP, its reforms, or the regulations that replace it.

9.14. Planning Team: Multidisciplinary group of professionals designated or contracted by the municipality, responsible for carrying out the comprehensive process or specific tasks for the formulation, updating, or modification of the Regulatory Plan, focused on the elaboration of the deliverable products that compose it, in accordance with the regulations in force.

9.15. Scale: Proportional relationship between the real measurements of a territory and those represented on a map.

9.16. Map: Geographic representation of the Earth or part of it on a flat surface.

9.17. Base Map: Cartographic representation of the Planning Area that includes basic information on the existing elements in the territory, the geographic and political-administrative limits, and the corresponding geographic coordinates, using the CRTM-05 system or the projection in force.

9.18. Cadastral Map: An ordering instrument that graphically shows the location and official boundaries of properties and their associated literal information, as well as their inconsistencies; as established in the General Regulation of the Real Estate Registry, Executive Decree No. 44647-MJP, its reforms, or the regulations that replace it.

9.19. Urban Renewal Areas Map: Cartographic representation of the diagnosis of the Planning Area, which identifies areas with potential for intervention through urban renewal, which may include the conservation, rehabilitation or remodeling of buildings and public spaces, with the objective of integrating them into sustainable urban development.

9.20. Informal and Irregular Settlements Map: Cartographic representation of the diagnosis of the Planning Area, which delimits the location of informal settlements and irregular settlements, including an analysis of living conditions, such as housing quality, access to basic services, and existing infrastructure.

9.21. Circulation and Transportation Map: Cartographic representation of the diagnosis of the Planning Area that identifies the vehicular and pedestrian circulation network, as well as public and private transportation systems, including terminals, bus and train stations, taxi stands, and public parking lots.

9.22. Public Spaces for Open-Air Commerce Map: Cartographic representation of the diagnosis of the Planning Area that locates existing public spaces with potential for temporary open-air commercial activities.

9.23. Communal Services Map: Cartographic representation of the diagnosis of the Planning Area that shows the location of properties that have existing communal buildings or infrastructure, such as park areas, children's playgrounds, green areas, plazas, and communal facilities such as educational centers, health centers, sports facilities, community centers, cultural centers, public libraries, museums, public markets, care centers, and any other similar space oriented toward collective use and benefit.

9.24. Public Services Map: Cartographic representation of the diagnosis of the Planning Area with the location of public service infrastructure, such as potable water, electricity, sewerage, and waste management.

9.25. Current Land Use Map: Cartographic representation of the diagnosis of the Planning Area that delimits and classifies properties according to their current use. This map comprehensively reflects the information obtained in the field, complemented by cadastral and municipal records, identifying, among others, uses such as commerce, industry, agriculture, institutional, residential, housing developments (urbanizaciones), residential complexes (conjuntos residenciales), and projects under the condominium property regime. It also points out areas at risk and Areas Under Special Regime (Áreas Bajo Régimen Especial). Where applicable, airport approach cones are incorporated.

9.26. Road Network Map: Cartographic representation of the Regulatory Plan (Plan Regulador) proposal for the Planning Area that details the existing classification of the National Road Network, composed of primary, secondary, tertiary, and restricted-access highways, as well as the Cantonal Road Network, made up of neighborhood roads, local streets, and unclassified roads. It also incorporates the projection of the new proposed roads.

9.27. Zoning Map: Cartographic representation of the Planning Area proposal that delimits and classifies the different zones defined in the Regulatory Plan, according to the permitted uses and the specific norms that apply to them. This map regulates the use of properties, buildings, and structures for agricultural, industrial, commercial, residential purposes according to use intensity, as well as for public and other pertinent uses.

9.28. Official Map (Mapa Oficial): Cartographic representation of the Planning Area that precisely determines the location and size of areas designated for roads, parks, plazas, and communal services, both those already dedicated to public service and those reserved for such purposes.

9.29. Municipality (Municipalidad): State legal entity, with its own assets, full personality, and legal capacity to execute all types of acts and contracts necessary to fulfill its purposes. It is composed of the administrative area, the areas that provide services to municipal residents, the mayor's office (alcaldía), and the municipal council (concejo municipal).

9.30. Urban planning regulations (Normativas urbanísticas): Set of legal provisions established in Laws, Executive Decrees, Urban Development Regulations (Reglamentos de Desarrollo Urbano), whether from the Regulatory Plan or of national scope on a supplementary basis, through which the powers, obligations, and guidelines applicable to the planning, use, and management of the territory are determined.

9.31. Territorial planning (Ordenamiento territorial): Administrative, political, and participatory process, based on legal, technical, and scientific support, through which the State, municipal governments, and other public entities manage, regulate, guide, and promote various actions in the territory for the fulfillment of their purposes. It makes it possible to harmonize the well-being of the population with the use and conservation of environmental resources, as well as to optimally locate economic and productive activities, human settlements, public areas, public services, among others. It serves as a guide for the sustainable use of environmental elements. It makes it possible to balance the sustainable development of the country's different zones. It promotes citizen participation in the planning of territories.

9.32. Urban Planning (Planificación Urbana): It is the continuous and comprehensive process of analysis and formulation of plans and regulations on urban development, aimed at ensuring the safety, health, comfort, and well-being of the community.

9.33. Regulatory Plan (Plan Regulador): It is the local planning instrument that defines, in a set of plans, maps, regulations, and any other document, graphic, or supplement, the development policy and plans for population distribution, land uses, circulation routes, public services, communal facilities, and construction, conservation, and rehabilitation of urban areas.

9.34. Partial Regulatory Plan (Plan Regulador Parcial): Local planning instrument applied to a portion of the Canton's Developable Area (Área Planificable del Cantón), instead of covering its entirety; it focuses on areas that require detailed attention due to unique conditions or special needs, guiding their development and resource management in a focused manner.

9.35. Total Regulatory Plan (Plan Regulador Total): Planning instrument that covers the entirety of the Canton's Developable Area and establishes guidelines for population distribution, land use, infrastructure, and public services; with the purpose of coordinating the sustainable development of the entire territory. It is also known as the Cantonal Regulatory Plan (Plan Regulador Cantonal) or Complete Regulatory Plan (Plan Regulador Completo).

9.36. Territorial Forecast (Pronóstico Territorial): Corresponds to one of the components of the Regulatory Plan that projects the future development of the territory through the analysis of current trends and possible scenarios. Its purpose is to anticipate the changes, challenges, and opportunities that could arise in the area to be planned, allowing for strategic preparation that guides territorial development towards sustainability and risk minimization. This component is also identified as territorial prospective (prospectiva territorial).

9.37. Transverse Mercator Projection for Costa Rica (Proyección Transversal de Mercator para Costa Rica): Official projection for the cartographic representation of Costa Rica, with the acronym CRTM05, with the central meridian at 84º West, central parallel at 0°, origin northing coordinate 0 meters, origin easting coordinate 500,000 meters, projected with a scale factor of 0.9999 valid for the entire country; according to Executive Decree No. 33797-MJ-MOPT, Declares the CR05 as the official horizontal datum for Costa Rica, linked to the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF2000) of the International Earth Rotation Service (IERS) for the measurement epoch 2005.83.

9.38. Urban Renewal (Renovación Urbana): It is the improvement process aimed at eradicating slum zones and rehabilitating urban areas in decay or in a defective state, and the conservation of urban areas and the prevention of their deterioration.

9.39. Geographic information system (Sistema de información geográfica): Digital interface in which geographic information is integrated, enabling the user to create, examine, study, edit, and display georeferenced cartographic coverages in vector or raster representation.

9.40. Cadastral Zone (Zona Catastrada): It is that part of the national territory where the cadastral survey has been concluded and made official; as established in the General Regulation of the Real Estate Registry (Reglamento General del Registro Inmobiliario), Executive Decree No. 44647-MJP, its reforms, or the regulation that replaces it.

9.41. Cadastral Zone (Zona Catastral): The entirety of the national territory where the cadastral survey is carried out; as established in the General Regulation of the Real Estate Registry, Executive Decree No. 44647-MJP, its reforms, or the regulation that replaces it.

9.42. Zoning (Zonificación): Division of a territorial circumscription into use zones, for the purpose of its rational development.

10. ACRONYMS For the purposes of interpretation and application of this Guide, the acronyms indicated below are included:

11.1 AyA: Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados 11.2 CRTM-05: Costarrican Transversal Mercator 11.3 DEM: Digital Elevation Model 11.4 GAM: Gran Área Metropolitana 11.5 ICAFE: Instituto del Café de Costa Rica 11.6 ICT: Instituto Costarricense de Turismo 11.7 IGN: Instituto Geográfico Nacional 11.8 INEC: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos 11.9 INVU: Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo 11.10 LPU: Ley de Planificación Urbana 11.11 MAG: Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería.

11.12 MAPRIOT: Manual de Planes Reguladores como Instrumento de Ordenamiento Territorial 11.13 MEP: Ministerio de Educación Pública 11.14 MH-ONT: Ministerio de Hacienda - Órgano de Normalización Técnica 11.15 MINAE: Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía.

11.16 MINSA: Ministerio de Salud 11.17 MIVAH: Ministerio de Vivienda y Asentamientos Humanos 11.18 MOPT: Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes 11.19 RECOPE: Refinadora Costarricense de Petróleo 11.20 RNP: Registro Nacional de la Propiedad 11.21 SENARA: Servicio Nacional de Aguas Subterráneas Riego y Avenamiento 11.22 SIG: Sistema de Información Geográfica 11.23 SIGHAT: Sistema de Información Geográfica, Hábitat y Territorio 11.24 SINIGIRH: Sistema Nacional de Información para la Gestión Integrada del Recurso Hídrico 11.25 SNIT: Sistemas Nacional de Información Territorial 11. REFERENCES Alfaro, M., Barrantes, O., Cedeño, B., Sandoval, L., & Moraga, J. (2023, October). GUÍA PARA LA ELABORACIÓN DE MAPAS. Universidad Nacional, Ciencias Geográficas.

https://www.geo.una.ac.cr/index.php?option=com_phocadownload&view=category&id=3%3Atrabajos-de-investigacion&Itemid=193 Asamblea Legislativa República de Costa Rica. (1968). Ley Nº4240. Por la cual se expide la Ley de Planificación Urbana. Gaceta N°274, November 15.

http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/Busqueda/Normativa/Normas/nrm_texto_completo.aspx?param1=NRTC&nValor1=1&nValor2=35669&nValor3=80861&strTipM=TC Dirección de Aguas del Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía. (2024). SINIGIRH-Sistema Nacional de Información para la Gestión Integrada del Recurso Hídrico. MINAE.

https://mapas.da.go.cr/ Instituto Meteorológico Nacional. (2024). Capas del mapa. IMN.

https://www.imn.ac.cr/web/imn/mapa#divContainer Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo. (2017). REGLAMENTO DE RENOVACIÓN URBANA. INVU.

https://www.invu.go.cr/documents/20181/33489/Reglamento+de+Renovaci%C3%B3n+Urbana.pdf Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo. (2021). REGLAMENTO ILUSTRADO DE FRACCIONAMIENTO y URBANIZACIONES. INVU.

https://www.invu.go.cr/documents/20181/33489/Reglamento+Ilustrado+de+Fraccionamiento+y+Urbanizaciones.pdf Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo. (2022). REGLAMENTO DE CONSTRUCCIONES. INVU.

https://www.invu.go.cr/documents/20181/33489/Reglamento+de+Construcciones.pdf Ministerio de Vivienda y Asentamientos Humanos. (2024). Geo Explora. https://geoexploramivah.opendata.arcgis.com/ Ministerio de Vivienda y Asentamientos Humanos. (2024). Información Geoespacial del MIVAH. MIVAH.

https://www.mivah.go.cr/Informacion_Geo_Espacial.shtml Reglamento de Renovación Urbana (2017). Alcance N°121 a La Gaceta N°103, June 1; and its reforms.

http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/Busqueda/Normativa/Normas/nrm_texto_completo.aspx?param1=NRTC&nValor1=1&nValor2=84171&nValor3=108492&strTipM=TC Reglamento de Construcciones (2018). Alcance N°62 a La Gaceta N°54, March 22; and its reforms.

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https://www.snitcr.go.cr/ico_servicios_ogc Guide for the disposition of content in Urban Development Regulations of Regulatory Plans Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................................. 3 2. About Urban Development Regulations ......................................................................................................................... 3 3. Urban Development Regulations of national scope ......................................................................................................... 5 4. Content of Urban Development Regulations according to the Ley de Planificación Urbana ..................................................... 5 4.1. Zoning Regulation ............................................................................................................................................ 5 4.2.

Subdivisions (Fraccionamientos) and Housing Developments (Urbanizaciones) Regulation ...................................................................................................... 6 4.3. Official Map (Mapa Oficial) Regulation ................................................................................................................................................ 8 4.4. Urban Renewal (Renovación Urbana) Regulation ............................................................................................................................... 9 4.5. Constructions Regulation .................................................................................................................................... 10 5. Structure ............................................................................................................................................................................... 10 5.1.

Numbering ................................................................................................................................................................... 10 5.2. General aspects ....................................................................................................................................................... 11 5.3. Technical content ......................................................................................................................................................... 12 5.4. Transitory provisions .............................................................................................................................................. 13 5.5. Annexes .......................................................................................................................................................................... 13 6. Form and drafting aspects .............................................................................................................................................. 13 6.1.

Verb tense ............................................................................................................................................................... 13 6.2. Imperative and facultative provisions ....................................................................................................................... 14 6.3. Positive and negative sense of the regulations ............................................................................................................ 14 6.4. Indentation ..................................................................................................................................................................... 14 6.5. References to another norm .............................................................................................................................................. 14 6.6. Table of contents and indexes ....................................................................................................................................... 15 6.7.

Miscellaneous provisions ..................................................................................................................................................... 16 7. Definitions ............................................................................................................................................................................ 16 8. Acronyms .............................................................................................................................................................................. 17 9. References ............................................................................................................................................................................ 17 INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE VIVIENDA Y URBANISMO GUIDE FOR THE DISPOSITION OF CONTENT OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS IN REGULATORY PLANS The Board of Directors (Junta Directiva) of the Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo, in use of the powers conferred by Article 5, subsection f) of the Ley Orgánica del Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo No. 1788 of August 24, 1954, as well as Article 7, subsection 3) of the Ley de Planificación Urbana No. 4240 of November 15, 1968, agrees in Ordinary Session No. JDINVU-028-2025, Article III, subsection 1) of November 6, 2025, to approve the "Guide for the disposition of content of Urban Development Regulations in Regulatory Plans" associated with the update of the "Manual de Planes Reguladores como instrumento de ordenamiento territorial (MAPRIOT)", which textually states the following:

Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo Guide for the disposition of content of Urban Development Regulations in Regulatory Plans 1. INTRODUCTION This document corresponds to the Guide for the disposition of content in Urban Development Regulations of Regulatory Plans, prepared by the Urbanism Department (Departamento de Urbanismo) of the Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo (INVU), in compliance with the mandate given by the Ley de Planificación Urbana, Law No. 4240 (LPU), to advise and provide assistance in matters conducive to the establishment and promotion of urban planning, as well as to exercise oversight of the due compliance with the norms comprised in said normative body, and the Urban Development Regulations.

The information contained in this guide is prepared for pedagogical purposes by the Advisory and Training Unit (Unidad de Asesoría y Capacitación) of the Urbanism Department; it aims to guide the planning team responsible for the preparation and modification of Regulatory Plans, specifically in matters related to the content and organization of the Urban Development Regulations that comprise it.

This guide represents an instructive to be considered by local governments in their processes of preparing Regulatory Plans, so as to guide them on the minimum aspects that must be covered therein, according to provisions determined in the national legal framework. A series of suggestions are also established regarding the structure of information and drafting practices in regulatory matters.

2. ABOUT URBAN DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS The Ley de Planificación Urbana in its first article, decrees that the Urban Development Regulations are bodies of norms adopted by the municipalities with the purpose of giving effect to their Regulatory Plan, a local planning instrument that defines in a set of plans, maps, regulations, and any other document, graphic, or supplement, the development policy and the plans for population distribution, land uses, circulation routes, public services, communal facilities, and construction, conservation, and rehabilitation of urban areas.

In this line, article 15 of said regulation indicates that the competence and authority of municipal governments for the planning and control of the urban development of their territory, a precept enshrined in

It is through these latter elements that the necessary guidelines are promulgated to comply with the Regulatory Plan, always prioritizing the health, safety, comfort, and well-being of the population.

The subsequent article 21 lists the five Urban Development Regulations that a Regulatory Plan must have, as well as their main objective:

. Zoning Regulation (Reglamento de Zonificación): To determine land use.

. Subdivisions and Housing Developments Regulation (Reglamento de Fraccionamiento y Urbanización): To regulate the division and urban habilitation of land.

. Official Map Regulation (Reglamento Mapa Oficial): To address the provision and conservation of spaces for public roads and communal areas.

. Urban Renewal Regulation (Reglamento de Renovación Urbana): To improve or rehabilitate areas in process or in a state of deterioration.

. Constructions Regulation (Reglamento de Construcciones): To address matters concerning building works.

The cited Regulations can only be issued and published by local governments through a Regulatory Plan, as provided in article 15 of the Ley de Planificación Urbana; reiterated by the Procuraduría General de la República:

Opinion No. PGR-C-034-2021, February 11, 2021:

"(.) since the Urban Development Regulations have the purpose of giving effect to the Regulatory Plan of the corresponding Municipality, it is clear that the prior approval of that Regulatory Plan is a necessary material and formal prerequisite for a Municipality to validly approve an Urban Development Regulation. Conversely, it is not permissible for local governments to issue or publish Urban Development Regulations without having an approved and current regulatory plan." Opinion No. PGR-C-210-2022, September 28, 2022 "1. Policies on road infrastructure and urban development are matters proper to a regulatory plan and its related regulations, and, therefore, the Municipal Council (Concejo Municipal) could not issue regulations defining those policies without formulating a regulatory plan and its regulations in accordance with the procedure set forth in article 17 of the Ley de Planificación Urbana.

(.)

3. As stated, the definition of urban development policies for the canton is a matter that must be embodied in the urban regulatory plan and its regulations, however, even if these urban planning instruments have not been issued, the Municipalities remain competent to declare cantonal public roads, in accordance with the exposed legal provisions." Opinion No. PGR-C-007-2024, January 30, 2024 "3. (.) The Urban Development Regulations are norms related to the respective Regulatory Plan that have the purpose of giving effect to the respective Regulatory Plan, and therefore, the prior approval of that Regulatory Plan is a necessary material and formal prerequisite for a Municipality to validly approve an Urban Development Regulation. It is not permissible for Local Governments to issue or publish Urban Development Regulations without having an approved and current regulatory plan.

4. Local Governments cannot issue an autonomous or independent regulation that regulates matters concerning subdivisions (fraccionamientos) and housing developments (urbanizaciones). For a Municipality to be able to establish its own regulation regarding subdivisions and housing developments, and, therefore, exempt itself from the application of the Regulation issued by the INVU, it must do so through the issuance of a regulatory plan and its urban development regulations, and, if it already has that instrument, through the elaboration of the urban development regulation for subdivisions and housing developments, adjusting to the procedure established in article 17 of the Ley de Planificación Urbana." The five Urban Development Regulations defined in article 21 of the Ley de Planificación Urbana correspond to the minimum normative bodies that must be part of the Regulatory Plan; however, within the framework thereof, additional related normative elements may be proposed, addressing aspects related to public space, outdoor advertising, mobility, landscape, urban image, waste management, road infrastructure, architectural and intangible heritage, among others.

3. URBAN DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS OF NATIONAL SCOPE Transitory Provision II of the Ley de Planificación Urbana authorizes the INVU to promulgate the urban development regulations established in its article 21, so that they are applicable in all those cantons that do not have the same in their Regulatory Plan, foreseeing to prevent, in this manner, a regulatory vacuum in matters of urban planning.

Therefore, the Urban Development Regulations issued by the Institute are of national application, in the municipal territorial scope that does not have a Regulatory Plan; in the event of having such an instrument, they are of supplementary application to the content of the local norm, that is, they complement everything that is not regulated in the regulatory plans of each canton.

The Urban Development Regulations issued by the INVU correspond to the Urban Renewal Regulation, the Constructions Regulation, and the Subdivisions and Housing Developments Regulation.

In the process of preparing a regulatory plan, the premise is, as the norm determines, to establish local guidelines that adjust to the characteristics of the territory and to the interests of the local government, following the line of action defined through the Urban Development Policy.

Now, in the event that the municipal government so decides, for the development of the Urban Development Regulations, the national-scope Regulations issued by the INVU can be taken as a reference, always indicating in the General Aspects of the local norm, those provisions that must be complied with on a supplementary basis.

If the interest of the respective municipality is to provide, within the text of the Urban Development Regulations, the specific guidelines on the matter related to each norm, without referencing aspects of the INVU regulation, it is of utmost importance to verify that a regulatory vacuum does not persist, because it is in those scenarios that the supplementarity mandated in Transitory Provision II of the Law has its reason for being.

4. CONTENT OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ACCORDING TO THE LEY DE PLANIFICACIÓN URBANA The Ley de Planificación Urbana stipulates, through chapters and its articles, specific guidelines associated with each of the Urban Development Regulations.

It is necessary to understand that said provisions are not interchangeable or modifiable in the Regulations that make up the Regulatory Plans, insofar as they must maintain congruence with the higher-hierarchy norm at the national level in matters of urban planning, Law No. 4240.

For the purpose of clearly and concisely showing the non-negotiable aspects established through said Law of the Republic, they are detailed below, associated with each Regulation; likewise, a series of guidelines corresponding to recommendations, identified as such, are cited.

4.1. Zoning Regulation 4.1.1. Categorizes the planning area by land use zones: agricultural, industrial, commercial, residential, public, or others. Consider the following:

4.1.1.1. Residential zones must be classified into single-family and multi-family, associated with density calculation. Recommendation: For purposes of applying this guideline, the subzones of High-Density Residential (ZRAD), Medium-Density Residential (ZRMD), and Low-Density Residential (ZRBD) may be considered.

4.1.1.2. Define the location of each of the zones. Recommendation: Establish in prose the function or objective of each zone.

4.1.1.3. Determine the minimum area and frontage of lots per zone.

4.1.1.4. Set the urban planning restrictions for each zone (height, floor area or construction area, setbacks, coverage (cobertura)).

4.1.1.5. Characteristics, size, and location of signage.

4.1.2. Identifies the zones reserved for special uses and developments: airports, sites of historical value, environmental conservation areas, and those generating hazards due to natural threats.

4.1.3. Maps, graphic elements, and diagrams must be prepared to complement the operative text for each zone.

4.1.4. Establishes the requirement for a land-use certificate (certificado de uso de suelo) for the development of each property, so that permitted uses are accredited; as well as its validity.

4.1.5. Defines the conditions and requirements for conforming, non-conforming, conditional, and prohibited uses.

4.1.6. Delimits the city and urban quadrants, for the purposes of the dedication (cesión) of area for public use established in article 40 of the LPU.

4.2. Subdivision and Urbanization Regulations (Reglamento de Fraccionamientos y Urbanizaciones) 4.2.1. Determines the conditions for permitting subdivision (fraccionamiento) and urbanization operations in the planning area, considering the following aspects:

4.2.1.1. Adequate access to a public street.

4.2.1.2. Provisions for lot division (lotificación) and block layout (amanzanamiento).

4.2.1.3. Dedication of areas for public use by reason of land transformations.

4.2.1.4. Availability of indispensable public services to authorize subdivisions (fraccionamientos) and urbanizations.

4.2.1.5. Dimensions and characteristics of rights-of-way facing the properties to be subdivided, as well as in urbanization projects.

4.2.2. Specifies the modalities of subdivision (fraccionamiento) permitted in the planning area, conditioning them on their location with respect to the city quadrants and previously urbanized areas. Simple subdivision (fraccionamiento simple) and subdivision for urban development purposes (fraccionamiento con fines urbanísticos) have their legal basis in the LPU, and must therefore be defined as provided therein, always associated with the quadrant, making their delimitation necessary within the framework of the regulatory plan.

4.2.2.1. Simple subdivision: carried out within city quadrants or in previously urbanized areas; must not dedicate area for public use.

4.2.2.2. Subdivision for urban development purposes: carried out outside city quadrants and previously urbanized areas; must dedicate area for public use.

4.2.3. If, in subdivisions for urban development purposes, the dedication of area for public use is intended to be conditioned on the number of resulting lots, the parameters set forth in the Subdivision and Urbanization Regulations promulgated by the INVU may be used, or the provision may be even more restrictive (fewer lots to subdivide, must dedicate); but not more permissive.

4.2.4. As provided by the national-scope standard, the INVU's Subdivision and Urbanization Regulations, other exceptional modalities of segregation may be established, using the minimum provisions set forth therein as a reference: subdivisions of lots with frontage less than the standard, exceptional subdivision for residential use, subdivision of parcels for agricultural, livestock, forestry, or mixed purposes.

4.2.5. Through the joint application of the Zoning Regulations, its map, and the Subdivision and Urbanization Regulations of the Regulatory Plan, the zones where the exceptional subdivision figures are permitted may be set, according to the interests of the local government:

4.2.5.1. Subdivisions of lots with frontage less than the standard, in commercial and residential zones, where there is greater infrastructure of goods and services.

4.2.5.2. Exceptional subdivision for residential use, in residential zones.

4.2.5.3. Subdivision of parcels for agricultural, livestock, forestry, or mixed purposes, in the agricultural zone.

4.2.6. It must be defined that, for those passage easements (servidumbres de paso) established prior to the entry into force of the national-scope Subdivision and Urbanization Regulations (September 13, 2020), where the intention is to generate new resulting lots, the application of the provisions of the Regulations for the National Control of Subdivisions and Urbanizations, published in La Gaceta No. 57 of March 23, 1983, is applicable.

4.2.7. Defines the requirement for the municipal approval (visado) for the subdivision (fraccionamiento) of properties, as well as the subdivision modalities where the prior approval (visado) of the INVU must be processed: subdivision for urban development purposes, exceptional subdivision for residential use, and new subdivisions originating from passage easements (servidumbres de paso) established prior to the update of the INVU's Subdivision and Urbanization Regulations.

4.2.8. Regarding the dedication of area for public use, the following must be observed:

4.2.8.1. Define the percentage to be dedicated to public use, for subdivisions (fraccionamientos) and urbanizations (according to their type), which, in accordance with the provisions of the LPU, must range between 5% and 20%.

Recommendation: Establish fixed dedication percentages, whether differentiated or not according to the land transformation modality, in an effort to prevent the developer from always opting for the minimum percentage.

4.2.8.2. The percentage of the area to be dedicated must be distributed among children's playgrounds (juegos infantiles), parks, and community facilities (facilidades comunales), in that order of priority.

4.2.8.3. One third of said area must be allocated to parks; and one third thereof, which must never be less than 10.00 m² per lot or housing unit, must be assigned to children's playgrounds (juegos infantiles). The remaining two thirds must be reserved for community facilities (facilidades comunales).

4.2.8.4. In urbanizations, the sum of the area to be dedicated for public streets, children's playgrounds (juegos infantiles), parks, and community facilities (facilidades comunales), must not exceed 45% of the area to be urbanized.

4.2.8.5. Public use areas, including streets, must be transferred in favor of the municipal domain.

4.2.8.6. Subdivision (fraccionamiento) in city quadrants and previously urbanized areas is exempt from area dedication.

4.2.8.7. The conditions under which public areas resulting from subdivisions (fraccionamientos) or urbanizations must be delivered to the local government must be determined; the children's playground areas (áreas de juegos infantiles) must be delivered fully conditioned, grassed (enzacatadas) and with the required equipment installed.

4.2.9. Urbanization projects must have the approval of the INVU, the ICAA, the Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos de Costa Rica, and the MINSA, in accordance with the Regulations for the Review Process of Construction Plans, Decreto Ejecutivo N°36550-MPMIVAH-S-MEIC, its amendments, or the regulations that replace it.

4.2.10. Permits to urbanize properties may be denied if the development is considered premature due to not having community facilities and public services, or due to its location far from other inhabited areas. However, if the developer undertakes to pay for the off-site works to provide the necessary services, projects with these characteristics must be accepted for analysis by the respective municipality and the INVU.

4.2.11. If the municipal government consents to authorize an urbanization project without the works being completed, it must require a performance guarantee from the developer, which becomes enforceable if, 5 years after the approval of the construction plans, the works have not been executed.

4.3. Official Map Regulations (Reglamento Mapa Oficial) 4.3.1. Establishes provisions regarding the areas necessary for roads, parks, plazas, buildings, and other community uses, including those associated with reserves, acquisition, use, and conservation.

4.3.2. Implies the preparation of a plan or set of plans expressing the location and dimension of the areas already transferred to the public domain, as well as those expected to be destined for the same.

4.3.3. For the preparation of the Official Map, it is recommended:

4.3.3.1. Use the updated cadastral mosaic as a base, if such a tool is available.

4.3.3.2. Identify existing lands owned by the local government, classifying them according to whether they correspond to public streets, parks, plazas, buildings, community infrastructure.

4.3.3.3. Determine for each land, work, or building, the cadastral plan number, dimensions, available services, existing equipment, and its state.

4.3.3.4. Indicate those privately owned properties intended to be reserved for public use, as well as their restrictions regarding subdivision (fraccionamiento) and transformation; so that their characteristics are not modified and their acquisition is not made more expensive.

4.3.4. The administration, including maintenance, of the public lands identified in the Official Map is the responsibility of the municipality, which may authorize certain portions of those areas to be administered directly by state entities.

4.4. Urban Renewal Regulations (Reglamento de Renovación Urbana) 4.4.1. Sets the rules that must be adopted to conserve, rehabilitate, remodel, or regenerate dysfunctional urban areas, whose intervention is considered strategic by municipal governments or the State.

4.4.2. The areas to be improved through the guidelines of these regulations must be included in the Zoning Map, designating them as Urban Renewal Areas (Área de Renovación Urbana, ARU).

Recommendation: Classify the areas according to the types of intervention that the local government is interested in carrying out, as well as identify the existing causes in each area that justify such an approach.

4.4.3. The Urban Renewal Areas must be understood as a categorization that is overlaid on the Zoning Map, not as a land use; so as to distinguish the areas that may be intervened through this approach.

4.4.4. The restrictions on subdivision (fraccionar) and construction that apply to these zones must be indicated, which shall remain in force for 5 years from the entry into force of the Regulatory Plan, a period during which their deficiencies must be remedied; if said objective is not achieved within that period, the common requirements, according to their location, must be applied to the properties affected by said zone.

4.4.5. The LPU enables the possibility of opening and closing streets, as well as rectifying their layout, provided it is managed as an urban renewal initiative; the mechanisms and regulatory guidelines to make this possible must be defined within the framework of these Urban Development Regulations.

4.4.6. When the intervention requires land readjustment, an agreement must be established between the involved parties, so as to specify their relocation, transfer to another area, and compensations in money or in kind.

4.4.7. Both for the land management instrument of land readjustment, and for any other intended to be established within the framework of urban renewal, it is necessary to regulate them, such that the variables linked to their application are set by means of the Regulatory Plan.

4.4.8. If the intention is to incorporate into these Regulations of the Regulatory Plan the land management instruments determined by the Urban Renewal Regulations promulgated by the INVU, it is required that the provisions and regulations necessary for their application be defined for each one; it should not be mistakenly interpreted that the regulations will be issued subsequently, since the instrument for establishing them is the local Regulatory Plan.

4.5. Construction Regulations (Reglamento de Construcciones) 4.5.1. Regulates the basic concepts and minimum requirements in the planning and construction of buildings and urban infrastructure works, in architectural and engineering design.

4.5.2. It is of utmost importance to observe the provisions of the Construction Law, Ley N°833, which, although it is not the regulation from which the Construction Regulations originates, is the highest hierarchy on the matter, so the guidelines provided therein must be adhered to. Indeed, said Law and the LPU establish the requirement for the construction permit granted by the respective municipality, for all construction works to be carried out, according to the applicable urban planning restrictions: alignments, setbacks (retiros), coverage (cobertura), height, density.

4.5.3. Additionally, in matters of construction, there is ample regulation of high hierarchical rank, such as laws of the Republic, Decretos Ejecutivos, statutes, regulations of decentralized entities, and other rules subordinate to central and decentralized regulations; which provide specific guidelines according to their nature, and must be referenced in the content of the Regulatory Plan, as their application is of national scope. It is therefore recommended to carry out a prior analysis of the regulations related to each type of building 5. STRUCTURE It is recommended that the structure of the Urban Development Regulations pursue the objective of facilitating the user of the regulation its interpretation and approach. The basic aspects recommended for consideration in organizing said regulatory bodies are developed below.

5.1. Numbering For the categorization of contents, it is recommended to structure them in chapters (Roman numerals), sections (ordinal numbers), articles, and subparagraphs (Arabic numerals), in that order according to the hierarchy of the subject matter to be developed. For the latter two, it is also recommended to use the decimal numeral system for the codification of the articles, their subparagraphs and sub-subparagraphs.

For purposes of understanding, the following example is provided:

.... Section One. (Title of the section) ...... Article 5. (Title of the article) ...... Article 6. (Title of the article) .... Section Two. (Title of the section) ...... Article 7. (Title of the article) ...... Article 8. (Title of the article)

...... Article 9. (Title of the article) ...... Article 10. (Title of the article) ....... 1. (Subparagraph) ....... 2. (Subparagraph) ......... 2.1. (Sub-subparagraphs) Both the chapters, the sections, and the articles must have a title, that is, a brief description of what their content will be.

It is clarified, as shown in the example of "CHAPTER III", that sections need not necessarily be included in the structure of the regulations; however, reference is made to their functionality when it is required to classify the content to be developed within the same chapter, so that said provision facilitates its interpretation.

5.2. General Aspects The purpose of the general aspects is to add those introductory elements required for the application of each Urban Development Regulation; it is recommended that they be located within the regulation in a single chapter, contemplating aspects such as those detailed below.

5.2.1. Objective Every Urban Development Regulation must define its purpose, in accordance with the provisions of the Urban Planning Law for each case.

It must be drafted using an infinitive verb, for example: set, specify, define, establish, promote, among others. In the structure of the regulation, the objective corresponds to the first article comprising it: "Article 1. Objective" 5.2.2. Scope of Application Determines the scope of the applicability of the regulation, both in the subject matter it covers, and the limits of the jurisdictional territory where it must be applied; the foregoing under the assumption that it is not a scenario of a Comprehensive Regulatory Plan. Similarly, it is recommended that it defines the limitations thereto, that is, where it is not applicable.

5.2.3. Normative References In this section, which it is urged should correspond to an article, it is recommended to list the official documents that complement the application of the guidelines of each Urban Development Regulation, such as Laws of the Republic, Decretos Ejecutivos, Directives; which must be consulted for the proper interpretation and application thereof.

References must be made in chronological order and according to the normative hierarchy of our legal system, through subparagraphs, indicating the name of the law, decreto ejecutivo or directive, the number that identifies it, and the date of official publication; for example: "1) Construction Law, N°833, of November 2, 1949".

If subsequently, in the articles of the regulation, it is required to cite any regulation, only the article, full name, and the number of the law, decree or directive must be indicated; for example: "...as provided in Articles 87 and 88 of the Construction Law, Ley N°833". Furthermore, in an effort to maintain the validity of the content of the Regulations, when referencing a regulation, it is suggested to add the phrase "...and its amendments or the regulation that replaces it".

5.2.4. Definitions, Acronyms and Symbols It is recommended that these three aspects be developed in two separate articles, in an effort, as indicated, to facilitate the understanding of the regulation.

5.2.4.1. Definitions: Correspond to those terms used in the body of the regulation, which are considered to require explanation for its understanding. They are arranged in alphabetical order, numbered by means of subparagraphs, with the concept to be defined highlighted, separated by a colon. Example: "79) Zoning (Zonificación): It is the division of a territorial constituency into use zones, for the purpose of its rational development." By normative hierarchy, the definitions contained in Laws of the Republic and Decretos Ejecutivos, related to the matter regulated by each Urban Development Regulation, and in general in the Regulatory Plan, must be applied and included. Definitions must not contain provisions within their content.

5.2.4.2. Acronyms and Symbols: Relates to those abbreviations or symbols required for the interpretation of the regulation. Acronyms are arranged in alphabetical order; then the symbols, if any. Acronyms and symbols must be highlighted, numbered through subparagraphs.

Example: 13) ZMT: Zona Marítimo Terrestre 14) m²: Square meter 5.2.5. Other Guidelines In the chapter associated with general aspects, those articles whose content directs and guides regarding the general application of the Urban Development Regulation may additionally be included, in congruence with the interests of the local government, such as those associated with professional and municipal responsibility, infractions, sanctions, regulations of voluntary application.

5.3. Technical Content Comprises all those technical guidelines associated with the subject matter of each Urban Development Regulation, adhering to the content of the Urban Planning Law.

It includes the characteristics of the operations to be carried out according to normative powers, as well as the requirements that must be met for said procedures.

It is recommended to structure the content by addressing the aspects to be regulated from the general to the specific, grouping topics into sections, if deemed necessary for better understanding.

As indicated, the hierarchy for developing the technical content is a) chapters, b) sections, c) article; d) subparagraphs of the article, and sub-subparagraphs if required.

5.4. Transitory Provisions Defines the regulations applicable to legal situations prior to the implementation of the Urban Development Regulations, with the intention of avoiding regulatory conflicts; that is, these provisions must temporarily regulate certain situations, with the intention of providing them with differentiated and exceptional treatment, associated with temporality. It is of utmost importance that the Urban Development Regulations contemplate these guidelines clearly and concisely, anticipating the scenarios where the new regulations generate implications for consolidated situations.

They also establish the repeal of the previous regulation, if any, as well as the date of its entry into force, according to its publication in the Diario Oficial La Gaceta, as mandated by Article 17 of the Urban Planning Law.

They may be defined by means of Roman numerals or by ordinal numbers: "Transitorio I" or "Transitorio Primero".

5.5. Annexes (Anexos) This is additional information included at the end of the regulation, comprised of tools that complement its application; it may include images, data, maps, references, infographics, diagrams, cited documents, or glossaries.

Annexes are arranged according to the order in which they are cited in the text of the regulation, by means of letters of the alphabet; they are identified with the word "ANEXO" in capital letters, and also with a heading that provides guidance on its content. Example: "ANEXO A. Map of the Zoning Regulations" 6. ASPECTS OF FORM AND DRAFTING The guidelines established in the regulations that make up a Regulatory Plan must, above all, be concise, so that they can be easily understood by individuals in general. Although Urban Development Regulations contain technical and legal aspects, they must be developed in their most practical form, avoiding unnecessary complexities for their understanding.

With the intention of achieving that purpose, the following relevant aspects of form and drafting are detailed:

6.1. Verb Tense For the drafting of normative provisions, the following verb forms may be used:

6.1.1. Future indicative: Used to express a sense of obligation of a future or supposed action, may be accompanied by the verb to be; example: "shall be imposed" (se impondrá).

6.1.2. Present imperative: Indicates orders, commands, and requests in the present tense; example: "is imposed" (se impone).

6.1.3. Infinitive: Used to express a rule, presented in a non-conjugated form; example: "to impose" (imponer).

However, the recommendation is to draft statements, whenever possible, in the present tense; and to use the same verb tense in the construction of an idea, whether in sentences or paragraphs.

6.2. Mandatory and Permissive Provisions The content of the Urban Development Regulations must clearly show those provisions whose nature is mandatory, that is, it expresses an obligation or duty, in such a way that the imposition of an action or prohibition is manifested.

Permissive guidelines are those that are not necessary, that may be done, but do not correspond to a requirement; this nature in regulations is usually manifested by enabling an action through the verb "may" (poder).

6.3. Positive and Negative Sense of Regulations Regulations may be drafted in a negative and positive sense. If both contexts (what is permitted and what is not) must be shown in the same article, it is urged to place the positive provisions first, provided it is within the possibilities, according to the aspect to be regulated; and subsequently refer to the prohibition.

The foregoing excepting those articles whose content is directly related to situations that are not permitted.

6.4. Tabulation The use of tables is recommended when, due to the complexity and variety of the information to be shown, its representation through the grouping of columns and rows is more efficient and understandable.

Whether the table is embedded within the articles, or corresponds to an annexed element of the regulation, it is necessary to have an introductory paragraph in prose that provides guidance on its content.

Each table must have a title, either at the top or bottom, numbered, in highlighted text.

Example: "Table 1. Calculation of the maximum number of housing units".

It is recommended that tables be arranged completely on a single page; if this is not possible, the same structure must be maintained so that the information is clearly displayed. Additionally, if clarifying notes to the content of the table are required, they may be referenced by means of asterisks (*).

6.5. Cross-References to Another Regulation If, within the same Urban Development Regulation, a cross-reference from one article to another is required, it is recommended to indicate not only its number but also the description of its title. The purpose of the foregoing is to avoid inaccuracies in the reference, in case its numbering is modified due to amendments thereof.

Additionally, if specific aspects have already been regulated in an article, and they apply equally to a matter regulated in another chapter, the recommendation is not to restate all its content, but rather to make the cross-reference to the article, indicating that for that scenario the provisions set forth in "Article 14. (Title of the article)" apply.

6.6. Table of Contents and Indices In order to facilitate the search for information in the Regulations, the use of tables of contents and indices is recommended, so that the structure and planning of the document can be visualized through these tools, with order or coherence.

As a first element, there is the table of contents, which is given that title and is placed just after the cover and back cover of the document. It must reflect the structure of the Regulation, outlining in schematic levels the chapters, sections, and articles, organized in the same order in which they appear in the document, with the page number where their content begins.

Table of Contents

Subsequently, if required, the indices of tables and illustrations are placed, identifying them in numerical order, according to their appearance in the Regulation, with the respective page number.

Index of Tables Table 1. (Description of the table) .......................16 Table 2. (Description of the table) .......................22 Table 3. (Description of the table) .......................25 Index of Illustrations / Figures Figure 1. (Description of the illustration) ....................18 Figure 2. (Description of the illustration) ....................25 Figure 3. (Description of the illustration) ....................27 6.7. Various Provisions With the intention of ensuring the legal certainty of the Urban Development Regulations of the Regulatory Plans, it is recommended not to incorporate information through footnotes; for the same reason, the Regulations must not use parentheses "()".

Indeed, the regulation must pursue the objective of showing such clarity that it does not require such explanatory punctuation for its understanding.

7. DEFINITIONS For the purposes of understanding this guide, the following terms have the meaning indicated, originating from the Urban Planning Law; Ley N°4240, the Urban Development Regulations of national scope, and other instruments made official by the INVU.

7.1. Planning Area (Área de Planificación): Also called the area to be planned, it is the territory delimited by municipal governments to be regulated through the local planning instrument, within their jurisdiction and in the exercise of their powers to order the development of urban and rural areas.

This area may be extended to other sectors of the canton when there are justified reasons to apply a specific control regime, in accordance with article 15 of the Urban Planning Law, Ley N°4240.

7.2. Previously Urbanized Area (Área previamente urbanizada): All those urbanizations whose dedication of public areas has been duly approved and received by the municipality.

7.3. Construction (Construcción): Any structure that is fixed or incorporated into a land; includes any work of building, reconstruction, alteration, or expansion that implies permanence.

7.4. Density: Ratio of number of inhabitants per hectare on a surface area designated for residential use, which determines land occupation. In the Plan Regulador, density may be expressed through the number of inhabitants per hectare, the number of housing units per property, the number of bedrooms per property, or the area of the property divided by the regulatory minimum lot size according to the zone.

7.5. Planning Team (Equipo Planificador): Multidisciplinary group of professionals appointed or contracted by the municipality, responsible for carrying out the comprehensive process or specific tasks for the formulation, update, or modification of the Plan Regulador, focused on producing the deliverables that compose it, in accordance with current regulations.

7.6. Subdivision (Fraccionamiento): Division of any property for the purpose of selling, transferring, negotiating, distributing, exploiting, or using the resulting parcels separately; it includes both partitions by judicial or extrajudicial adjudication, allocations of undivided rights and mere segregations in the name of the same owner, as well as those situated in urbanizations or new constructions that are relevant to the control of the formation and urban use of real estate.

7.7. Official Map (Mapa Oficial): Cartographic representation of a Planning Area in which the position of public road alignments and areas to be reserved for community uses and services is accurately indicated.

This map may include information on territorial boundaries, infrastructure, public services, and land-use zones, serving as a reference for planning and decision-making in public policies.

7.8. Plan Regulador: Local planning instrument that defines, in a set of plans, maps, regulations, and any other document, graphic, or supplement, the development policy and plans for population distribution, land uses, circulation routes, public services, community facilities, and the construction, conservation, and rehabilitation of urban areas.

7.9. Local Urban Development Regulations (Reglamentos de Desarrollo Urbano Local): Sets of norms and provisions adopted by municipal governments with the objective of operationalizing and implementing the Plan Regulador. These regulations establish technical and legal criteria to organize, regulate, and guide territorial development within the planning area.

7.10. Nationwide Urban Development Regulations (Reglamentos de Desarrollo Urbano de Alcance Nacional): Sets of norms and provisions issued by INVU, with the purpose of establishing technical and legal criteria to organize, regulate, and guide territorial development in cantons that do not have a Plan Regulador. The nationwide regulations have a supplementary character, serving to complement or supply those aspects not contemplated in the local planning instrument, in compliance with the provisions of the Ley de Planificación Urbana, Ley N°4240.

7.11. Urban Renewal (Renovación Urbana): Improvement process aimed at eradicating slum areas and rehabilitating urban areas in decay or a defective state, and the conservation of urban areas and the prevention of their deterioration.

7.12. Urbanization (Urbanización): Subdivision (fraccionamiento) and development of land for urban purposes, through the opening of streets and provision of services.

7.13. Conditional Use (Uso condicional): Corresponds to that use subject to express authorizations, not only from the respective municipality, but from other bodies, according to powers granted by laws or regulations.

7.14. Permitted Use (Uso conforme): Any use listed as permitted, associated with the zones defined in the Plan Regulador.

7.15. Legal Non-Conforming Use (Uso no conforme): Any use that is neither listed as permitted nor conditional and that, nevertheless, existed de facto prior to the entry into force of the Plan Regulador.

7.16. Prohibited Use (Uso prohibido): Corresponds to that which cannot be constituted as "legal non-conforming" or as "conditional," and therefore its implementation is not admitted.

7.17. Zoning (Zonificación): Division of a territorial circumscription into use zones, for the purpose of its rational development.

8. ACRONYMS For the purposes of interpreting this guide, the following acronyms are established.

8.1. ICAA: Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados 8.2. INVU: Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo 8.3. LPU: Ley de Planificación Urbana 8.4. MINSA: Ministerio de Salud 9. REFERENCES Asamblea Legislativa República de Costa Rica. (1968). Ley Nº4240. By which the Ley de Planificación Urbana is issued. Gaceta N°274, 15 de noviembre.

http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/Busqueda/Normativa/Normas/nrm_texto_completo.aspx?param1=NRTC&nValor1=1&nValor2=35669&nValor3=80861&strTipM=TC Reglamento de Renovación Urbana (2017). Alcance N°121 a La Gaceta N°103, 01° de junio; and its amendments.

http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/Busqueda/Normativa/Normas/nrm_texto_completo.aspx?param1=NRTC&nValor1=1&nValor2=84171&nValor3=108492&strTipM=TC Reglamento de Construcciones (2018). Alcance N°62 a La Gaceta N°54, 22 de marzo; and its amendments.

http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/Busqueda/Normativa/Normas/nrm_texto_completo.aspx?param1=NRTC&nValor1=1&nValor2=86209&nValor3=111701&strTipM=TC Reglamento de Fraccionamientos y Urbanizaciones (2019). Alcance N°252 a La Gaceta N°216, 13 de noviembre; and its amendments.

http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/Busqueda/Normativa/Normas/nrm_texto_completo.aspx?param1=NRTC&nValor1=1&nValor2=90010&nValor3=122277&strTipM=TC Guía para la Elaboración de la Política de Desarrollo Urbano del Plan Regulador Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ 4 2. POLÍTICA DE DESARROLLO URBANO ........................................................................................... 5 2.1. INTEGRATION OF TERRITORIAL PLANNING IN THE POLÍTICA DE DESARROLLO URBANO (PDU) ............................................................................................................................................. 6 2.2. FORMULATION OF THE POLÍTICA DE DESARROLLO URBANO .................................................... 7 2.2.1. Problem Analysis ......................................................................................................................... 8 2.2.1.1.

Problem Identification ......................................................................................................... 8 2.2.1.2. Effects and Causes of the Problem ................................................................................................... 8 2.2.1.3. Establishing the Desired Situation ................................................................................................. 9 2.2.1.4. Identifying Means to Solve the Problem .................................................................................. 10 2.2.2. Founding Principles ..................................................................................................... 10 2.2.3. Founding Regulations .................................................................................................... 12 2.2.4. Time Horizon .......................................................................................................................... 12 2.2.5.

Urban Development Strategic Axes – Objectives .............................................................................................. 13 2.2.5.1. Strategic Axes ...................................................................................................................... 13 2.2.5.2. General Objective ........................................................................................................................ 13 2.2.5.3. Specific Objectives ................................................................................................................ 13 2.2.6. Strategic Actions ....................................................................................................................... 14 2.2.7. Social Actors ............................................................................................................................... 15 3. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION ....................................................................................................... 16 4.

DEFINITIONS ................................................................................................................................ 17 5. ACRONYMS .................................................................................................................................... 20 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................................ 21

Anexo 2. PLANTILLA ÁRBOL DE PROBLEMAS ...................................................................................... 24

Figura 1. Action Course of the Política de Desarrollo Urbano of the Plan Regulador 6 Figura 2. Components of the Política de Desarrollo Urbano of the Plan Regulador 7 Figura 3. Formulation of the Problem Analysis 8 Figura 4. Example of Formulation of Strategic Axes and Objectives of the Política de Desarrollo Urbano 14 Figura 5. Example of Formulation of Strategic Actions of the Política de Desarrollo Urbano 15 Figura 6. Social Actors 16 INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE VIVIENDA Y URBANISMO GUÍA PARA LA ELABORACIÓN DE LA POLÍTICA DE DESARROLLO URBANO DEL PLAN REGULADOR The Board of Directors of the Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo, using the powers conferred by Article 5, subsection f) of the Ley Orgánica del Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo Nº1788 of August 24, 1954, as well as Article 7, subsection 3) of the Ley de Planificación Urbana Nº4240 of November 15, 1968, agrees in Ordinary Session N°JDINVU-028-2025, Article III, subsection 1) of November 6, 2025, to approve the "Guía para la elaboración de la Política de Desarrollo Urbano del Plan Regulador" associated with the update of the "Manual de Planes Reguladores como instrumento de ordenamiento territorial (MAPRIOT)," which textually states the following:

INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE VIVIENDA Y URBANISMO GUÍA PARA LA ELABORACIÓN DE LA POLÍTICA DE DESARROLLO URBANO DEL PLAN REGULADOR 1. INTRODUCTION This document corresponds to the Guide for the Elaboration of the Política de Desarrollo Urbano of the Plan Regulador, prepared by the Urbanism Department of the Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo (INVU), in response to the mandate given by the Ley de Planificación Urbana, Ley N°4240 (LPU), to advise and provide assistance in whatever is appropriate for the establishment and promotion of urban planning, as well as to exercise oversight of the due compliance with the norms contained in said regulatory body.

As addressed in the Manual para la Elaboración de Planes Reguladores como Instrumento de Ordenamiento Territorial (MAPRIOT), and in accordance with the Ley de Planificación Urbana, Ley N°4240, the process of preparing a Plan Regulador includes fundamental products such as the Diagnosis, the Prognosis, and the Proposal, which is composed of the Política de Desarrollo Urbano (PDU) and the Urban Development Regulations. These products constitute key components for territorial planning and are essential for the effective implementation of Planes Reguladores in the territories.

The information contained in this guide is prepared for pedagogical purposes by the Advisory and Training Unit of the Urbanism Department, and is directed at municipal governments and the planning team (equipo planificador) to guide them in the formulation, update, and modification of Planes Reguladores, with emphasis on the content and organization of the Política de Desarrollo Urbano. In addition to establishing the minimum aspects that must be considered in accordance with the national legal framework, the guide offers suggestions on the structure of information and drafting practices in policy matters.

The foregoing, in accordance with the power granted by article 169 of the Constitución Política, which indicates that the administration of local interests and services in each canton is the responsibility of the Municipal Government; in turn, the Ley de Planificación Urbana develops this precept in its article 15, where it establishes that, for the planning and control of their territories, Municipal Governments shall use the instrument of the Plan Regulador and its Reglamentos de Desarrollo Urbano (RDU).

The formulation of the Política de Desarrollo Urbano is based on article 16, subsection "a" of the Ley de Planificación Urbana, Ley N°4240, which establishes the elements that the Plan Regulador must contain. According to this regulation, said plan must include a development policy detailing the principles and norms on which it is based, as well as the objectives aimed at satisfying the needs and promoting the orderly growth of the area to be planned. This document seeks to standardize the products generated by local governments, promoting optimal results in the different areas of territorial development. Its approach prioritizes continuous, planned, organized growth aligned with a prospective and strategic vision.

2. POLÍTICA DE DESARROLLO URBANO Public interventions are understood as the actions or responses that the State implements in situations considered problematic in the social, economic, or political spheres. The main objective of these interventions is, generally, to correct imbalances, guarantee the well-being of the population, and promote social justice. According to the Guía para la Elaboración de Políticas Públicas of the Ministerio de Planificación Nacional y Política Económica (MIDEPLAN), public interventions "(...) arise from a need or problematic situation felt and expressed by a sector of the citizenry, before which the State has the responsibility to act to address it and, to the extent possible, mitigate or resolve it" (MIDEPLAN, 2023).

In this sense, public interventions can adopt different forms, such as public policies, plans, programs, or projects. Their objective is to intervene strategically to resolve or mitigate problems that affect the common welfare, improve the living conditions of citizens, and ensure the proper functioning of society.

In relation to the above, a Public Policy (PP) is understood as a set of actions and decisions adopted by the State with the purpose of addressing a matter of interest or a need manifested by the population, a social group, or a specific area requiring intervention, which the Guía para la elaboración de Políticas Públicas of MIDEPLAN (2023) defines as:

"Course or line of action defined to orient or achieve an end, which is expressed in directives, guidelines, strategic objectives, and actions on a topic and the attention to or transformation of a problem of public interest. They make explicit the political will translated into decisions and support in human, technical, technological, and financial resources" (MIDEPLAN, 2023) In this context, the Manual de Planes Reguladores como Instrumento de Ordenamiento Territorial (MAPRIOT) of the Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo (INVU) defines the Política de Desarrollo Urbano (PDU) as:

"Line of action adopted by the municipal government as guidance to guarantee the adequate development of urban and rural areas in the Planning Area; it includes the principles and norms on which it is based, as well as development objectives that respond to the identified problems. (INVU, 2025) The importance of the policy lies in the objective designed to order the State's course of action and its priorities. It is recommended that it answer the following basic questions (see Figure 1. Action Course of the Política de Desarrollo Urbano of the Plan Regulador):

This includes the main aspects of the problems to be addressed through synergistic and articulated action, involving the commitment and support of the intervening actors.

It is recommended to consider among the conditions of its application of these techniques: participation processes, information management about the situation, support from experts on the topic, interdisciplinary analysis, and a comprehensive approach.

2.1. INTEGRATION OF TERRITORIAL PLANNING IN THE POLÍTICA DE DESARROLLO URBANO (PDU) Planning facilitates the implementation and execution of the Política de Desarrollo Urbano of the Plan Regulador; its purpose is to improve the situation of the population, considering the actions to be developed or redefined in time and space according to the availability of resources and contemplating the potential and limitations of the territory. Consequently, in the Guía para la elaboración de Políticas Públicas of MIDEPLAN (2023), planning is defined as:

"An anticipated process of an activity, according to an analysis between ends or objectives to be achieved and the means or resources available to implement it, which involves foreseeing the future, setting aside improvisation or partial ideas, to act in an orderly and meaningful manner, executing actions to achieve the purpose." (MIDEPLAN, 2023) In this context, the Manual de Planes Reguladores como Instrumento de Ordenamiento Territorial of the Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo defines Territorial Planning as:

"Comprehensive and participatory process of formulating policies, strategies, and plans that balance economic, social, and environmental objectives in the territory, ensuring sustainable development and orderly occupation of space, in both urban and rural areas." 2.2. FORMULATION OF THE POLÍTICA DE DESARROLLO URBANO The formulation of a Política de Desarrollo Urbano is a strategic and participatory process that seeks to establish clear guidelines for the ordering and adequate development of urban and rural areas. This document must reflect the needs, challenges, and specific opportunities of the territory, and guide the actions of the municipal government in the long term, ensuring sustainable, inclusive, and equitable development.

It must be a dynamic and flexible process, capable of adapting to the changes and challenges of the context of human settlements. The key is to achieve a balance between economic growth, environmental sustainability, social equity, and efficiency in resource management, guaranteeing that all generations, present and future, can enjoy a quality environment. Below are the main elements that can be considered in the content of the Política de Desarrollo Urbano (see Figure 2. Components of the Política de Desarrollo Urbano of the Plan Regulador).

In Anexo 1. Matriz para la elaboración de la Política de Desarrollo Urbano, the content is presented in a synthesized manner .

According to this regulation, said plan must include a development policy detailing the principles and norms on which it is based, as well as the objectives aimed at satisfying the needs and promoting the orderly growth of the area to be planned.

• a)The development policy, with a statement of the principles and norms on which it is founded, and the objectives that address the needs and growth of the area to be planned; (.)

Nonetheless, as illustrated in the previous diagram, it is possible to incorporate other additional components that may be relevant, according to the particularities of the area to be planned and the specific interests of the municipal government. These additional elements must be evaluated and adapted in accordance with local needs, the dynamics of the territory, and the municipality's priorities, in order to ensure that the Política de Desarrollo Urbano of the Plan Regulador comprehensively and effectively reflects the conditions and objectives of the community.

2.2.1. Problem Analysis The formulation stage of the proposal for the Política de Desarrollo Urbano of the Plan Regulador is based on the findings obtained from the Territorial Diagnosis and the Territorial Prognosis. It is recommended to consider the following steps for the formulation of the problem analysis (see Figure 3. Formulation of the Problem Analysis):

2.2.1.1. Problem Identification In the problem analysis, the diagnosis of the situation constitutes a fundamental element for defining alternatives and proceeding to prioritize them, according to their importance of attention, in which various actors can contribute responsibly to the solution, considering the viability, disposition, and search for the execution of the resources that materialize the actions towards achieving objectives.

The state of the matter or the situation that the Política de Desarrollo Urbano will address starts from the identification of the problem or priority situation socially perceived and that affects the interests of the inhabitants at the local level, its causes and effects or consequences. It can be formulated by answering questions such as: What is the background?, What is currently happening? and Why is it important?

2.2.1.2. Effects and Causes of the Problem For the development of this section, it is recommended to use the "causality analysis" technique, also known as the problem-causes-effects tree, in order to facilitate the construction of the diagnosis or the state of the situation at a methodological level (see Anexo 2. Plantilla árbol de problemas).

Causality analysis is a recommended tool for decision-making within the framework of urban planning and territorial development. This analysis seeks to identify the underlying causes of the problems and phenomena observed in a given urban context, in order to be able to address the roots of the problems and not just their consequences.

This technique is essential for understanding the complexities of urban problems and for designing public policies that not only resolve immediate effects but also address their deep causes. This comprehensive and systematic approach allows for generating more effective and sustainable solutions, resulting in more balanced, inclusive, and environmentally respectful urban development.

The use of this technique is not restrictive, meaning other methodologies can also be applied, such as: cause and effect diagrams, also known as Ishikawa diagrams, causal network analysis, among others, which allow complex problems to be broken down into their fundamental elements.

It can be formulated by answering questions such as: What is most worrying in the territory?, How does it affect the city?, What happens because of the problem? and Why does this problem occur?

2.2.1.3. Establishing the Desired Situation Defining the desired situation is a fundamental step in the design of the Política de Desarrollo Urbano of the Plan Regulador, as it establishes the vision and the direction needed to guide the State's actions, ensuring that efforts are focused on solving concrete problems and constantly improving social welfare. Likewise, the clarity and feasibility of the desired situation play a crucial role in the success of the intervention and in the permanence of its results in the long term.

The desired situation must be designed based on the problems and needs identified in the previous section, considering both current challenges and society's expectations. The definition of the core aspects, axes, components, or areas of intervention in the diagnosis phase is not the summation of data or reference information, but the selection of fundamental aspects that are supported by updated baseline information projected into the medium or long term. Consequently, it is necessary that the desired situation be:

▪ Specific and Clear: must be formulated precisely to avoid ambiguous interpretations and ensure that all involved actors have a common vision of what is to be achieved.

▪ Realistic and Achievable: it is essential that the proposed objective is viable within the available resources, capacities, and deadlines, considering the limitations of the political, economic, and social context, as well as the capacities of each local government.

▪ Measurable: must be evaluable, which implies defining concrete indicators that allow progress towards the objectives to be monitored.

▪ Sustainable: it must be ensured that the achievements are lasting, promoting structural changes that benefit future generations.

▪ Inclusive: must contemplate the diverse needs of all sectors of society, guaranteeing equity and social justice.

▪ Aligned with National Priorities: must be in consonance with the country's strategic objectives and priorities, so that public policies contribute to the general welfare and comprehensive development of the country.

It can be formulated by answering questions such as: What should the canton be like? and What should improve?

2.2.1.4. Identifying Means to Solve the Problem Identifying the means to solve the problem implies determining the tools, resources, and approaches necessary to effectively address the causes and consequences of the problematic situation. Based on the analysis of the behavior of the variables that affect the problems, key themes are identified and prioritized to organize the intervention priorities, as well as the alternatives and strategies that will guide the response to overcome the stated situation.

Within the analysis of possible solutions, the priority areas, objectives, necessary actions, and available human, technological, and financial resources, both current and future, must be contemplated. This analysis is fundamental to ensure that the proposed actions manage to transform the situation and achieve the expected results, guaranteeing the fulfillment of the established goals.

Solutions must be designed that address both the identified causes and effects of the problem. These solutions must be comprehensive, focusing on generating sustainable long-term results, rather than merely temporarily alleviating the symptoms of the problem.

It can be formulated by answering questions such as: What can be done to improve the situation? and How will these measures be implemented?

2.2.2. Founding Principles A principle is a fundamental rule or a basic truth upon which other knowledge, actions, or ideas are built or founded. Principles contemplate the rules, ideas, design concepts, or values that guide human action, thought, or the interpretation of reality; they are also part of the organization, or of the territory, on which the approach will be based.

There are multiple principles that derive from the norms, and that have been developed even by the Sala Constitucional. Below are some principles developed in constitutional jurisprudence:

Principle of Coordination

IV. ON THE PRINCIPLE OF INTERADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATION

One of the guiding principles of administrative organization is the coordination that must exist among all public entities and bodies when exercising their competencies and providing the services that the legal system has assigned to them. Coordination, insofar as it ensures administrative efficiency and effectiveness, is a virtual or implicit constitutional principle that permeates the entire administrative legal system and obligates all public entities. Coordination can be interorganic—among the various bodies that make up a public entity not subject to a hierarchical relationship—or intersubjective, that is, among public entities, each with its own legal personality, its own budget, autonomy, and specific competencies. (.)" (Sentencia: 19175- 2023) Principle of Sustainable Development "(.). Sustainable development is one of those general policies that the State dictates to broaden the possibilities for everyone to fulfill their aspirations for a better life, by increasing production capacity or, indeed, expanding the possibilities of achieving equitable progress between demographic growth or between the latter and natural systems.

Sustainable development is the process of transformation in the use of resources, the orientation of investments, the channeling of technological development, institutional changes, and everything that contributes to meeting the human needs of the present and the future." (Sentencia: 1763-94, 10466-00, 5790- 05, 1092-11) Principle of Participation "(.) VI.- ON CITIZEN PARTICIPATION. (.) Based on the democratic principle of citizen participation established in Article 9 of the Constitution, this Court has protected the right of citizens to actively participate in decision-making of general or collective interest. Precisely, this Court has repeatedly indicated that it is in the idea of participatory democracy—of active and full popular participation—that the democratic principle acquires its true dimension. Moreover, the Chamber itself has recognized constitutional relevance, by virtue of the democratic principle of participation, to the application of specific mechanisms for citizen participation (.)" (Sentencia: 20104-2022) Principle of Efficiency, Effectiveness, Simplicity, and Celerity of Administrative Organization and Function "(.) Effectiveness as a principle implies that the administrative organization and function must be designed and conceived to guarantee the achievement of the objectives, purposes, and goals proposed and assigned by the legal system itself, for which it must be linked to planning and evaluation or accountability (paragraph 2 of Article 11 of the Political Constitution).

Efficiency implies obtaining the best results with the greatest cost savings or the rational use of human, material, technological, and financial resources. Simplicity demands that administrative structures and their competencies be easy to understand and comprehend, without convoluted procedures that delay the satisfaction of the public interests involved. For its part, celerity obligates public administrations to fulfill their objectives and purposes of satisfying public interests, through the various mechanisms, in the most expeditious, rapid, and accurate manner possible to avoid undue delays. This set of principles imposes permanent demands, responsibilities, and duties on all public entities that cannot be declined on a transitory or singular basis. (.)" Furthermore, it is recommended to adopt principles already established in national policies, such as the National Habitat Policy 2020-2024, which is based on principles such as: universality, coordination, ecosystem-based management (gestión ecosistémica), and adaptation and resilience.

The principles set forth above have a guiding nature, meaning that the municipal government has the flexibility to adapt and apply those principles that best fit the territorial context and the specific interests of the community. In this way, greater coherence and effectiveness in the implementation of the Urban Development Policy of the Plan Regulador is fostered, allowing decisions to be made in a contextualized manner, addressing local particularities, and promoting sustainable development and the well-being of the municipality's inhabitants.

It is formulated by answering the question: What principles will guide the actions and decisions of urban development? and Why are these principles important?

2.2.3. Governing Regulations This section must contain the list of laws, (UCTOOT) executive decrees, and any other norm of the Costa Rican legal system that frame the scope of the proposal. The regulations incorporate fundamental objectives and a series of commitments that must be undertaken and translated into the planning and execution of strategic actions in a systemic and comprehensive manner.

It is formulated by answering the question: What laws or regulations guide urban development? And Why is this regulation relevant?

2.2.4. Time Horizon As indicated in the Manual de Planes Reguladores como Instrumento de Ordenamiento Territorial, the timeframe for meeting the urban development objectives established in the Urban Development Policy of the Plan Regulador is not defined in the Urban Planning Law, Ley N°4240, since this regulation does not establish a minimum or maximum period for the validity of said instrument.

It is important to note that, in accordance with the Reglamento General del Sistema Nacional de Planificación, Decreto Ejecutivo N°37735, in its articles 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, some timeframes for planning instruments at the national, sectoral, and institutional levels are defined, as set out below:

▪ At the national level, a long-term vision of periods of no less than 20 years is contemplated, as is the case with the National Strategic Plan (PEN), which must be updated every 5 years. ▪ At the sectoral level, a medium-term vision is contemplated, for periods of no less than 5 years, as is the case with the National Sectoral Plans (PNS) and the Regional Development Plans (PRD). ▪ At the institutional level, a medium or long-term vision is contemplated, for periods of no less than 5 years, as is the case with the Institutional Strategic Plans (PEI). These timeframes are used as a reference for the design and execution of urban policies and projects, which suggests that, although no specific timeframe exists in the Urban Planning Law, Ley N°4240, for the Urban Development Policy of the Plan Regulador, common practice within planning frameworks is to follow a similar temporal approach, with short, medium, and long-term horizons to ensure the continuity and sustainability of urban development.

It is reiterated that, for the medium and long-term periods, the action plan (an instrument to operationalize the guidelines and achieve the objectives) requires periodic updates every five years to make it compatible with the local government's priorities.

It is formulated by answering the question: What is the timeframe to meet the urban development objectives?, considering the available financial, human, technological, and economic resources.

2.2.5. Strategic Axes - Urban Development Objectives It starts from a summarized diagnosis focused on the situation or problem of public interest and the recognition of its causes and effects, that is, from the causality analysis (problem-causes-effects tree) from which the definition of axes or areas of intervention and objectives is derived.

2.2.5.1. Strategic Axes Policies are defined by axes or major relevant themes, components, or emphases, which delimit the areas of action. It is proposed that the axes coincide with those of the Territorial Diagnosis and that they be composed of strategic variables that were identified as a priority for attention. This exercise is considered capable of facilitating the elaboration of the objectives in an integrative manner.

They are formulated by answering the questions: What are the priority approaches for the canton's development? and What specific areas or themes will be addressed in each axis?

2.2.5.2. General Objective The policy seeks to generate a medium and long-term impact; therefore, the general objective is obtained by converting the problem tree into an objectives tree, since the central problem becomes the general objective or purpose. These objectives express a change in the affected actors.

2.2.5.3. Specific Objectives The objectives formulated for each defined strategic axis correspond to the specific objectives, which are intended to address and resolve the identified problems. These specific objectives are designed to provide clear and measurable solutions, oriented towards achieving the expected results within each area of intervention, thus contributing to the fulfillment of the general objective of the Urban Development Policy.

On the other hand, objectives must be written with an infinitive verb that demonstrates the intention to improve a current situation or that creates a new situation or different conditions. They must be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound.

They are formulated by answering the questions: What is to be achieved? and What are the specific steps to achieve the objective?

Below is an example of the definition of the axes and specific objectives of the Urban Development Policy (see Figure 4. Example of formulation of axes and specific objectives of the Urban Development Policy).

2.2.6. Strategic Actions The elaboration of the objectives paves the way for the definition of the strategic actions that contribute to their fulfillment. Strategic actions are the acts or operations planned to achieve an objective. Factors identified in the diagnosis must be taken into account to develop different alternative solutions that would later be defined as strategic actions of a competitive, functional, or image-and-service nature, all with the aim of successfully carrying out the objectives set out in the Urban Development Policy of the Plan Regulador.

They are formulated by answering the questions: What steps must be taken? and How will these actions be executed?

Below is an example of the formulation of the strategic actions of the Urban Development Policy (see Figure 5. Example of formulation of strategic actions of the Urban Development Policy).

2.2.7. Social Actors The involvement of state, private, and citizen actors is fundamental, due to the importance of the collective recognition of agreements, the levels of intervention, integration, and the definition of social responsibility and co-responsibility, the resources that will be made available to achieve the goals, and the improvement of existing conditions.

For the identification of key social actors in the territory, the following question must be answered:

Who could be involved in the future development of our canton?

This step is important when operationalizing the Urban Development Policy, as it allows for the identification of the actors who will be responsible for executing the actions in the formulation of the monitoring and evaluation strategy. Social actors refer to the subjects of social life, whether they are (see Figure 6. Social actors) 3. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Citizen participation is fundamental in the formulation of public policies, planning instruments, and regulations. It is through citizen participation that social actors demand to participate in decision-making at various social levels, including those related to urban development.

According to the Manual de Planes Reguladores como Instrumento de Ordenamiento Territorial and for the purposes of theoretical correspondence with research tools, the participatory process is understood as:

"the set of actions, mechanisms, and methodologies implemented during the formulation, updating, or modification of a Plan Regulador, through which the municipal government actively involves various social actors in decision-making, as well as in the management and control of the area to be planned." The term "actively involve" is understood as: a democratic management that is consolidated through participatory processes.

Dialogue, participation, and consensus-building are fundamental for the elaboration of the Urban Development Policy, since the priority problems and the experiences of addressing them strengthen the foundations of the commitment for the selection of objectives and actions. In the elaboration of the Urban Development Policy, at a methodological level, the holding of consultation forums, workshops, working or dialogue groups, interviews with groups, institutional representatives, organizations, experts or specialists on the subject, and academics is contemplated for the systematization of information that supports the formulation.

4. DEFINITIONS For the purposes of understanding this guide, the following terms have the meaning indicated, originating from the Urban Planning Law; Ley N°4240, the Urban Development Regulations of national scope, and other instruments made official by the INVU.

4.1. Institutional actors: Institutions or entities linked to a territory that represent diverse interests, whether economic, social, cultural, religious, political, environmental, age-related, ethnic, business-related, or trade-related, among others.

4.2. Social actors: Those linked to a territory that include institutions, municipal governments, civil society, non-governmental organizations, groups, or collectives representing diverse interests. These interests may be economic, social, cultural, religious, political, environmental, age-related, ethnic, corporate, business-related, or trade-related, among others.

4.3. Updating of the Plan Regulador: One of the modalities for elaborating a Plan Regulador, by which the existing local planning instrument is reviewed and adjusted, for one or more of the following purposes: expanding the Planning Area (Área de Planificación), adapting it to new territorial conditions or changes in environmental provisions. It implies the partial or comprehensive updating of the Territorial Diagnosis, the Forecast, the Urban Development Policy, and the Urban Development Regulations, as well as the incorporation of the environmental variable according to the technical procedures defined by SETENA, for the purpose of obtaining the approval or update of the Environmental Viability (Viabilidad Ambiental).

4.4. Mayor's Office (Alcaldía): The popularly elected executive official, who is responsible for the general administration of the municipality and also its legal representation.

4.5. Planning Area (Área de Planificación): Also called the area to be planned, it is the territory delimited by municipal governments to be regulated through the local planning instrument, within their jurisdiction and in the exercise of their powers to order the development of urban and rural areas. This area may extend to other sectors of the canton when there are justified reasons to apply a specific control regime, in accordance with Article 15 of the Urban Planning Law, Ley N°4240.

4.6. Rural area: A portion of territory characterized by the interaction between society, the environment, and the productive activities carried out on the land, this being its main economic resource. These zones are predominantly intended for agricultural, livestock, forestry, agroecological, agrotourism, and other related uses, which maintain a close relationship with the natural environment and the sociocultural identity of the communities that inhabit them.

4.7. Urban area: The territorial sphere of development of a population center. It includes the urban quadrant or any other city system developed radially or polygonally.

It may be located within or outside the Greater Metropolitan Area.

4.8. Informal Settlements: Buildings located on lands that have been occupied, even though their inhabitants do not have legal tenure. Commonly known as precarious settlements (asentamientos en condición de precario).

4.9. Irregular Settlements: Buildings and urban infrastructure which, although their occupants have legal tenure of the land, have been developed without observing the subdivision (fraccionamiento), urbanization, and construction regulations.

4.10. Canton: The territorial jurisdiction of the municipality, whose head town is the seat of the municipal government; defined as the second-order administrative territorial subunit of the country, since it has a local government, by constitutional mandate, according to Declara oficial para efectos administrativos, la aprobación de la División Territorial Administrativa de la República, Decreto Ejecutivo N.°41548-MGP, its reforms, or regulations that replace it.

4.11. Municipal Council (Concejo Municipal): A collegial body composed of popularly elected council members (regidoras y regidores), who discuss and make decisions on matters of municipal interest by voting. Also participating, with voice but without vote, are the person holding the office of mayor, the district trustees (personas síndicas) of each district, and the municipal secretary, who performs administrative functions.

4.12. Sustainable development: A model of territorial development based on the balance between economic, social, and environmental dimensions, proposing alternatives that meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

4.13. Diagnosis of the Plan Regulador: The detailed analysis that allows for the identification of the current conditions of the territory, evaluating its characteristics, problems, and available resources. This comprehensive study provides a solid foundation for defining intervention needs and guiding future actions in territorial development.

4.14. Scenario: A model of future development that is possible to achieve in the Planning Area (Área de Planificación), after the execution of various strategic actions.

4.15. Formulation of a Plan Regulador: One of the processes for elaborating a Plan Regulador for a territory that does not previously have one. It involves the comprehensive development of the Territorial Diagnosis, the Forecast, the Urban Development Policy, and the Urban Development Regulations, as well as the incorporation of the environmental variable.

4.16. Local Government: The set of bodies responsible for the administration of a municipality, composed of the municipality, which includes both the Municipal Council (Concejo Municipal) and the Mayor's Office (Alcaldía), and other collaborative instances responsible for managing the territory.

4.17. Municipal Government: A deliberative body called the Council (Concejo) composed of the council seats (regidurías) determined by law, as well as a mayor (alcalde) and their respective alternate (suplente), all popularly elected.

4.18. Modification of the Plan Regulador: One of the modalities for elaborating a Plan Regulador, which seeks to make specific adjustments to the existing local planning instrument, aimed at resolving specific situations, such as modifying the urban development regulations, adapting certain provisions of the plan to regulatory changes, or new needs detected in specific areas of the territory, without altering the planning area or its general structure, provided they do not involve alterations to the granted Environmental Viability (Viabilidad Ambiental). It only involves the development or justification of specific aspects covered by the nature of the modification, whether the Territorial Diagnosis, the Forecast, the Urban Development Policy, or the Urban Development Regulations. Managing any modification requires the indication from SETENA that the proposal does not require an alteration to the granted Environmental Viability (Viabilidad Ambiental).

4.19. Municipality (Municipalidad): A state legal entity, with its own assets, full legal personality, and capacity to execute all types of acts and contracts necessary to fulfill its purposes. It is comprised of the administrative area, the areas that provide services to municipal residents, the mayor's office (alcaldía), and the municipal council (concejo municipal).

4.20. Municipal residents (Munícipes): Resident neighbors of the canton; includes Costa Rican citizens and foreign persons living in the canton.

4.21. Municipality (Municipio): The group of neighboring persons residing in the same canton, who promote and administer their own interests through the municipal government.

4.22. Territorial planning (Ordenamiento territorial): An administrative, political, and participatory process, based on a legal, technical, and scientific support, through which the State, municipal governments, and other public entities manage, regulate, guide, and promote various actions in the territory for the fulfillment of their purposes. It makes it possible to harmonize the well-being of the population with the use and conservation of environmental resources, as well as to optimally locate economic and productive activities, human settlements, public areas, public services, among others. It serves as a guide for the sustainable use of environmental elements. It makes it possible to balance the sustainable development of the different zones of the country.

It promotes citizen participation in the planning of territories.

4.23. Territorial Planning (Planificación Territorial): A comprehensive and participatory process of formulating policies, strategies, and plans that balance economic, social, and environmental objectives in the territory, to ensure sustainable development and an orderly occupation of space, both in urban and rural areas.

4.24. Urban Planning: The continuous and comprehensive process of analysis and formulation of plans and regulations on urban development, aimed at ensuring the safety, health, comfort, and well-being of the community.

4.25. Plan Regulador: The local planning instrument that defines, in a set of plans, maps, regulations, and any other document, graphic, or supplement, the development policy and plans for population distribution, land uses, circulation routes, public services, community facilities, and construction, conservation, and rehabilitation of urban areas.

4.26. Urban Development Policy: The line of action adopted by the municipal government as guidance to guarantee the adequate development of urban and rural areas within the Planning Area (Área de Planificación); it includes the principles and regulations on which it is based, as well as development objectives that respond to the identified problems.

4.27. Participatory process: For the purposes of this manual, it is understood as the set of actions, mechanisms, and methodologies implemented during the formulation, updating, or modification of a Plan Regulador, through which the municipal government actively involves various social actors in decision-making, as well as in the management and control of the area to be planned.

4.28. Local Urban Development Regulations: Sets of rules and provisions adopted by municipal governments with the objective of operationalizing and making the Plan Regulador effective. These regulations establish technical and legal criteria to order, regulate, and guide territorial development within the planning area.

4.29. Community services: Installations, areas, or community services intended for public use, necessary for the well-being of the inhabitants of a territory, whose purposes are educational, sports, health, recreation, charitable, and similar.

4.30. Public services: Those services that address the needs of the population, such as lighting, drinking water, sanitation, health, telephone, and transportation, administered by the State or by private companies.

4.31. Territory: A system formed by a complex network in which various units, elements, and territorial processes of a physical-spatial, social, economic, political, environmental, legal nature, among others, are interrelated within the same physical space, whether continental or marine.

5. ACRONYMS For the purposes of interpreting this guide, the following acronyms are provided.

5.1. INVU: Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo 5.2. LPU: Ley de Planificación Urbana 5.3. MAPRIOT: Manual de Planes Reguladores como Instrumento de Ordenamiento Territorial 5.4. MIDEPLAN: Ministerio de Planificación Nacional y Política Económica 5.5. PEI: Planes Estratégicos Institucionales 5.6. PEN: Plan Estratégico Nacional 5.7. PNS: Planes Nacionales Sectoriales 5.8. PP: Política Pública 5.9. PR: Plan Regulador 5.10. PRD: Planes Regionales de Desarrollo 5.11. RDU: Reglamentos de Desarrollo Urbano REFERENCES Legislative Assembly of the Republic of Costa Rica. (1968). Urban Planning Law, Ley N°4240.

Retrieved from the Costa Rican Legal Information System http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/ Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo (2018). Manual de Planes Reguladores como Instrumento de Ordenamiento Territorial. Retrieved from https://www.invu.go.cr/leyes-y-reglamentos Ministerio de Planificación Nacional y Política Económica. (2023). Guide for the elaboration of public policies. Retrieved from https://documentos.mideplan.go.cr/share/s/474cUK4-SQmNV4GEwQGFA.

MIDEPLAN

The Urban Development Policy is an essential document in the planning of cities and territories, whose purpose is to guide urban growth in an orderly, sustainable manner aligned with the needs of the population. Below, a recommended structure is presented that can serve as a reference framework for the elaboration of said policy. This structure includes clear instructions on what should be included in each section, along with practical examples that facilitate its understanding and application.

URBAN DEVELOPMENT POLICY OF THE REGULATORY PLAN A. ANALYSIS The analysis of the problem constitutes the first section of an Urban Development Policy (UDP), as it establishes the diagnosis and allows for a deep understanding of the challenges faced by the area to be planned.

This section aims to identify the main difficulties and areas for improvement in the urban, rural, social, economic, and environmental contexts of the territory. For the analysis of the problem, it is important to use the results found in the Territorial Diagnosis.

It is divided into the following subsections: context, identification of the problem, effects it causes, causes of the main problem, desired situation, and identification of the means necessary to solve it.

A.1. Context This subsection consists of explaining the current environment related to the growth and development of the canton.

. What is the background?

The general environment related to the growth and development of the area to be planned must be described. It is essential to provide an overview of the territory's evolution and its transformations over time.

. What is currently happening?

It is important to point out the phenomena that are taking place, such as urban expansion in contrast to the rural when applicable, changes or urban developments, and how these impact the space and the community in general.

. Why is it important?

The consequences of the current situation must be explained, highlighting the problems and challenges that arise. It is essential to reflect on how these problems affect the population, quality of life, urban structure, or the environment.

A.2. Identification of the problem The subsection consists of describing the main problem to be solved.

. What is the most concerning issue in the territory?

The central or main problem affecting the area being analyzed must be defined. This may be an economic, social, environmental, physical-spatial problem, among others.

. How does it affect the area to be planned?

How this problem affects the daily life of the inhabitants, the urban and rural organization, access to services, or sustainability in the area to be planned must be described. It is important to detail the implications and negative effects of this problem.

. Example:

"Disorderly expansion and the lack of adequate planning have generated uncoordinated urban growth, which affects both urban and rural zones, hindering access to basic services and creating social inequalities." A.3. Effects and causes it provokes This subsection must present the negative results of the problem and its underlying causes.

. What happens because of the problem?

The visible consequences and effects of the identified problem must be detailed. It is necessary to describe how this problem manifests in practice, including short-, medium-, or long-term repercussions.

. Why does this problem occur?

The underlying causes of the problem must be identified. These can be factors such as lack of planning, inadequate policies, lack of resources, or structural problems, among others. It is important to explain the factors that contribute to the perpetuation of this problem and how they originate.

. Example:

A.4. Desired situation This subsection describes how the ideal situation should be in the future. To elaborate it, it is advisable to use what was developed in the Territorial Forecast as a basis.

. How should the area to be planned be?

The vision or desired scenario for the future must be presented, explaining how the problem could be solved and how the environment or the community should be transformed through adequate planning.

. What should improve?

The aspects that must be improved or transformed to achieve the ideal situation must be detailed. This may include the improvement of infrastructure, services, access to resources, or the creation of new spaces and opportunities.

. Example:

"The area to be planned must achieve planned urban-rural development, where rural zones are protected and vertical construction is promoted in urban areas, improving connectivity, services, and sustainability." A.5. Identification of means to solve the problem In this subsection, concrete actions that must be taken to solve the problem should be proposed.

. What can be done to improve the situation?

Proposals or specific actions that could be implemented to solve the problem must be presented.

. How will these measures be implemented?

The process or steps that must be followed to implement the proposed solutions must be explained.

This may include the execution of projects, the allocation of resources, or collaboration among different actors.

. Example:

B. PRINCIPLES In this subsection, the fundamental values that will guide the actions must be described.

. What principles will guide the development actions and decisions in the area to be planned?

The fundamental values that must govern the planning and problem-solving process must be defined. These principles may include sustainability, inclusion, citizen participation, equity, among others.

. Why are these principles important?

It must be explained how these principles will help ensure that the solutions and development are fair, balanced, sustainable, and beneficial for all involved.

. Example:

C. REGULATIONS ON WHICH IT IS BASED This subsection must identify the laws and regulations that regulate and support the development of the area to be planned.

. What laws or regulations guide the development of the area to be planned?

The legal regulations governing the situation or development process must be identified. These must be laws of the republic, executive decrees, or other norms of the Costa Rican legal system that influence the territory's planning and management process.

. Why is this regulation relevant?

It must be explained how the existing laws and regulations provide the necessary legal framework to implement the proposed solutions, guarantee order, and ensure equity in the development process.

. Example:

D. TEMPORAL HORIZON In this subsection, the timeframe for meeting the development objectives in the area to be planned must be defined.

. What is the timeframe for meeting the development objectives?

The time in which the plan's goals must be met and in which urban interventions must produce tangible results in the territory must be established. For the proper development of the territory, this horizon must be clear and realistic, allowing for adjustments if necessary due to social, economic, or environmental changes.

E. STRATEGIC AXES In this subsection, the key axes on which territorial planning will be based must be described.

. What are the priority approaches for the development of the area to be planned?

The strategic axes that will guide the problem-solving process must be defined. These can be physical, social, economic, environmental, or institutional axes, depending on the context and priorities of the local government.

. What specific areas or topics will be addressed in each axis?

The topics or areas that will be covered under each of the strategic axes must be detailed. For example, within the environmental axis, topics of sustainability and environmental protection could be addressed; in the social axis, topics of inclusion and equitable access to services could be dealt with.

. Example:

F. OBJECTIVES In this subsection, the general and specific objectives that will guide the implementation of the policy must be established.

. What do you want to achieve?

The general objective that summarizes the purpose of the development or problem-solving process must be defined. This objective must be clear and reflect the main goal of the Regulatory Plan.

. What are the specific steps to achieve the objective?

The specific objectives that will support the achievement of the general objective must be broken down. Each of these objectives must be concrete and measurable, providing a clear guide for the actions to follow.

. Example:

F.1. General objective F.2. Specific objectives G. STRATEGIC ACTIONS This subsection must detail the strategic actions that will be taken to achieve the objectives.

. What steps must be taken?

The concrete actions and projects to be carried out must be listed, such as infrastructure improvement, the creation of new public spaces, among others.

. How will these actions be executed?

How these actions will be implemented must be explained, specifying timeframes, necessary resources, and responsible parties.

. Example:

(...) h) Velar porque en las instituciones públicas y privadas no exista discriminación por motivo del género, y porque se le dé un trato justo a la mujer.

Por su parte la Política Nacional para la Igualdad Efectiva entre Hombres y Mujeres (PIEG), es una estrategia integral que busca promover la igualdad de género y la eliminación de las brechas entre mujeres y hombres en el país. Esta política se orienta a lograr una transformación estructural que permita avanzar hacia una sociedad más equitativa, en la que tanto mujeres como hombres puedan gozar de los mismos derechos y oportunidades en todos los ámbitos.

El Plan de Acción Nacional sobre Igualdad de Género en la Acción por el Clima es un marco diseñado para asegurar que las políticas y las medidas relacionadas con el cambio climático tengan en cuenta la perspectiva de género, promoviendo la participación activa y la equidad de las mujeres en la toma de decisiones, así como la inclusión de sus necesidades y conocimientos en las estrategias de mitigación y adaptación al cambio climático.

La planificación urbana y el ordenamiento territorial han sido tradicionalmente procesos desarrollados desde una perspectiva homogénea, lo que ha generado retos significativos para incluir a diversos colectivos sociales. Entre estos se encuentran las mujeres, personas con discapacidad, adultos mayores, grupos étnicos y raciales, personas de diferentes grupos etarios, personas en situación de pobreza, y la diversidad sexual, entre otros. Reconocer y abordar estas realidades es fundamental para garantizar que los entornos urbanos y rurales, así como las políticas territoriales, respondan de manera efectiva a las necesidades y particularidades de todos los grupos sociales, promoviendo entornos más inclusivos y equitativos.

En los procesos participativos, es esencial reconocer que los territorios son percibidos y vividos de manera distinta por hombres, mujeres y los diversos colectivos sociales. Factores como las distancias, la localización, la movilidad y la accesibilidad afectan de manera diferenciada a cada grupo, influyendo en sus experiencias y necesidades específicas. Por ello, es clave integrar un enfoque que considere estas variaciones, permitiendo comprender cómo estos aspectos del territorio impactan en las vidas de las personas.

Para lograr una participación inclusiva, es necesario establecer mecanismos que aseguren la representación equitativa de todos los colectivos sociales; incorporar un enfoque de género y diversidad social en estos procesos no solo promueve la equidad, sino que también permite recolectar datos valiosos sobre cómo estos grupos utilizan y experimentan el espacio urbano, abordando aspectos como la movilidad, el acceso a servicios y la percepción de seguridad.

2.6.6.5. Metodología de Participación Ciudadana La Metodología de Participación Ciudadana se refiere al conjunto de técnicas, herramientas y procedimientos concretos que se utilizarán para implementar la Estrategia de Participación Ciudadana. Es más práctica y operativa, detallando cómo se ejecutarán los pasos definidos en la estrategia. (Ver Figura 20) Se recomienda incluir en la metodología:

 Procedimientos: Hace referencia a los momentos específicos de los procesos participativos, como recopilación de información, análisis de aportes, retroalimentación.

 Cronograma: La secuencia y los tiempos en que se realizarán las actividades de participación.

 Técnica de participación: Comprende diversas herramientas para recolectar la participación de la comunidad, como encuestas, grupos focales, talleres participativos, plataformas digitales, entre otros. Estas técnicas permiten captar datos primarios directamente de los actores sociales, reflejando sus percepciones en los distintos productos del Plan Regulador.

 Indicadores: Criterios para medir la efectividad de la participación.

Como parte de esta metodología, se recomienda la realización de talleres participativos en las distintas etapas del proceso, especialmente durante el diagnóstico y la formulación de propuestas. Estos talleres deben organizarse en cada distrito y en localidades adicionales que se consideren pertinentes, según las características del territorio. Asimismo, es fundamental que las actividades se programen en horarios accesibles para la población, considerando jornadas fuera del horario laboral o fines de semana, con el fin de facilitar la participación efectiva de todas las personas interesadas.

La participación ciudadana pueda verse ampliada de forma significativa mediante el uso de medios digitales, que facilitan la interacción directa entre la ciudadanía y los procesos de toma de decisiones que conlleve la elaboración de un Plan Regulador. Plataformas como redes sociales, foros en línea, aplicaciones móviles y sitios web del gobierno local, pueden permitir tiempo real. Además, estas herramientas digitales pueden integrar mecanismos de formularios electrónicos y encuestas, brindando la oportunidad de influir directamente en asuntos de interés común, sin importar su ubicación geográfica. El uso adecuado de estas tecnologías no solo promueve la inclusión, sino que también fortalece la democracia al hacerla más transparente, participativa y eficiente.

Se indica que la participación ciudadana por medios digitales no reemplaza ni sustituyen las activades presenciales, como talleres comunitarios o la Audiencia Pública, sino más bien las complementa. Además, deben implementarse mecanismos alternativos y accesibles para aquellas personas que no cuentan con acceso a dispositivos tecnológicos o que desconocen su uso, garantizando así que nadie quede excluido del proceso por razones económicas, educativas o técnicas. Esto puede incluir el uso de medios impresos, asistencia personalizada, centros de atención presencial o facilitadores comunitarios que actúen como puentes entre la tecnología y las comunidades.

2.6.6.6. Informe de Participación Ciudadana Este informe debe contener el análisis de los resultados obtenidos con la implementación de la Estrategia de Participación Ciudadana de forma sistemática, incluyendo toda la información relativa a los procesos de participación ciudadana realizados en cada uno de los momentos que comprenden la formulación, revisión o modificación del Plan Regulador. Su objetivo es validar de manera transparente y estructurada la forma en que la ciudadanía y los actores territoriales fueron involucrados en el proceso de planificación.

Además, comprende la sistematización de los principales aportes y observaciones ciudadanas, los temas más recurrentes o relevantes, la evaluación técnica de los aportes recibidos, su integración en el Plan Regulador y la justificación de exclusiones, cuando corresponda.

2.7. ETAPA 2: ELABORACIÓN DEL MAPA BASE La elaboración del Mapa Base es una etapa esencial en el desarrollo de un Plan Regulador, ya que se trata de una representación cartográfica que incluye tanto el Área Total del Cantón como el Área de Planificación específica. Este mapa contempla información básica sobre los elementos existentes en el territorio, los límites geográficos y político-administrativos, así como las coordenadas geográficas correspondientes, utilizando el sistema de coordenadas CRTM-05 y Datum o proyección vigente establecido por el IGN. El Mapa Base funciona como soporte para la elaboración de los diferentes productos entregables del Plan Regulador y es clave para desarrollar los análisis que guiarán las decisiones sobre zonificación y estrategias de desarrollo territorial.

Su objetivo es ofrecer una referencia espacial precisa de los recursos naturales, infraestructura, usos de suelo que impactan el territorio. Además, dicho Mapa Base permite identificar las Áreas Bajo Régimen Especial (ABRE), facilitando así una gestión ordenada y respetuosa de los territorios bajo protección específica.

La creación del Mapa Base se fundamenta en la recolección de información geográfica, proveniente de diversas fuentes oficiales, y en la integración de las coberturas cartográficas esenciales que representan los elementos clave del territorio en estudio.

Para la elaboración del Mapa Base, se sugiere consultar la "Guía para la Elaboración de la Cartografía de Planes Reguladores", que ofrece recomendaciones detalladas sobre los aspectos cartográficos necesarios para la creación, revisión, análisis, precisión y presentación de los mapas, así como de las coberturas cartográficas o 'shapes' requeridos en los Instrumentos de Planificación Local.

El proceso de elaboración del Mapa Base se organiza en varios pasos que buscan integrar datos geográficos provenientes de diversas fuentes, de manera que la información reunida atienda posteriormente los requisitos del Área de Planificación y los objetivos de planificación territorial. A continuación, se detallan los pasos recomendados: (Ver Figura 21) 2.7.1. Recopilación de datos La recopilación de datos es el primer paso en la construcción del Mapa Base. Los datos deben provenir de fuentes oficiales y confiables como el Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN), el Sistema Nacional de Información Territorial (SNIT) y el Sistema de Información del Registro Inmobiliario (SIRI). Además, es recomendable obtener imágenes satelitales actualizadas, visores catastrales municipales y cualquier otro recurso cartográfico oficial que complemente la información territorial.

Para asegurar una representación geográfica precisa, estos datos deben ser integrados en el Sistema de Información Geográfica (SIG), herramienta que permite organizar múltiples capas de información y realizar análisis espaciales, lo que facilita la toma de decisiones y la planificación.

2.7.2. Selección de Escalas La escala del Mapa Base depende de la extensión del Área de Planificación y de los elementos que se desea incluir. Las escalas recomendadas son:

 Escala 1:10 000, ideal para áreas con alta densidad de información, como zonas urbanas o áreas específicas de intervención.

 Escala 1:25 000, adecuada para representar áreas más amplias, como cantones completos o zonas rurales con menor densidad de infraestructura.

Estas escalas aseguran que la información se presente de forma legible y detallada, facilitando el análisis en diferentes niveles de precisión.

2.7.3. Integración de Capas Cartográficas Las capas cartográficas deben representar de manera clara los elementos críticos del territorio para permitir un diagnóstico adecuado. Las principales coberturas por incluir son las siguientes:

 Provincias, Cantones, Distritos y Localidades: Estas coberturas señalan los límites político-administrativos a nivel provincial, cantonal y distrital, facilitando la visualización de las jurisdicciones territoriales. Las localidades también se incluyen para orientar geográficamente al usuario en su comunidad o área de interés.

 Topografía y Curvas de Nivel (curvas 5000): Representan el relieve del terreno y las pendientes, fundamentales para el análisis de riesgos, la identificación de áreas con restricciones de desarrollo y la planificación de infraestructuras. Las curvas de nivel, basadas en hojas topográficas, permiten estimar pendientes y áreas de deslizamientos o inundaciones.

 Hidrografía y Cuerpos de Agua: Comprende ríos, lagos y otros cuerpos de agua naturales que sirven para identificar vías naturales de conexión entre localidades. Los cuerpos de agua también son importantes para el desarrollo turístico, agrícola y económico del área.

 Infraestructura Vial (Nacional y Cantonal), Vías Férreas y Puentes: Representa la red vial nacional y cantonal y otros elementos de conectividad, como las vías férreas y puentes, que facilitan la movilidad y la interconexión territorial. Estos elementos son clave para analizar la accesibilidad y la circulación vehicular, así como para identificar áreas donde la infraestructura necesita ser mejorada o ampliada.

 Usos Actuales del Suelo de Áreas Urbanas y Rurales: Incluyen las áreas urbanas, rurales, agrícolas y protegidas, entre otros usos del suelo. La información sobre las áreas urbanas es especialmente relevante para la planificación del desarrollo de nuevos asentamientos y la asignación de infraestructuras y servicios, de acuerdo con la Ley de Planificación Urbana N.°4240.

 Cobertura Vegetal: Áreas de bosques, áreas verdes y zonas de reforestación que deben ser identificadas en el Mapa Base, tanto para preservar los recursos naturales como para definir zonas de protección o áreas con potencial para la expansión de áreas verdes.

 Áreas de Riesgo: Zonas identificadas como propensas a desastres naturales, como inundaciones o deslizamientos, que requieren atención especial en el proceso de planificación. La identificación de estas áreas es crucial para evitar el desarrollo en zonas peligrosas y para proponer medidas de adaptación y mitigación de riesgos.

 Áreas Bajo Régimen Especial (ABRE): Porciones del territorio sujetas a un régimen especial de planificación o administración, lo que puede implicar restricciones o consideraciones adicionales para el uso del suelo y el desarrollo.

Toda esta información debe ser georreferenciada utilizando el sistema de proyección CRTM-05 o cualquier otro sistema vigente, garantizando que los datos sean consistentes y compatibles con otras herramientas de análisis geográfico.

2.7.4. Preparación y Validación del Mapa Base Una vez integrada y sistematizada la información en el SIG, se genera el Mapa Base, incluyendo todas las coberturas previamente descritas. Este mapa debe ser claro y preciso para facilitar su interpretación, tanto por parte de los actores técnicos como de la comunidad en general; para lo cual se recomienda consultar la "Guía para la Elaboración de la Cartografía de Planes Reguladores" para su adecuada elaboración y presentación. Para asegurar la calidad de la información, se recomienda validar el Mapa Base con el Órgano Local de Planificación Territorial. La validación es crucial para garantizar que el Mapa Base refleje la realidad territorial, asegurando su confiabilidad como herramienta de planificación para los pasos posteriores en la elaboración del Plan Regulador.

2.8. ETAPA 3: INCORPORACIÓN DE LA VARIABLE AMBIENTAL EN INSTRUMENTOS DE PLANIFICACIÓN TERRITORIAL Para la incorporación de la variable ambiental en instrumentos de planificación territorial, como lo es el Plan Regulador, se debe coordinar la elaboración de los Estudios de la incorporación de la variable ambiental en un Plan de Ordenamiento Territorial (EIVA-POT), según los requerimientos definidos en el Reglamento para la Incorporación de la Variable Ambiental en Planes de Ordenamiento Territorial, Decreto Ejecutivo N.°44710-MINAE, sus reformas o normativa que le sustituya.

La SETENA es el ente que regula los aspectos técnicos y procedimentales vinculados a la incorporación de la variable ambiental en la propuesta de los planes reguladores cantonales, planes reguladores costeros y otros instrumentos de ordenamiento territorial, y emitir posteriormente la aprobación de la viabilidad ambiental. Compete a la Municipalidad respectiva gestionar su solicitud ante dicha instancia, con el apoyo del Equipo Planificador, cuando se trate de una Formulación o Actualización del Plan Regulador; en caso de Modificación, se debe contar con un documento emitido por la SETENA que señale que la propuesta no altera la Viabilidad Ambiental ya otorgada.

Para efectos del contenido del presente Manual, la implementación de los EIVA-POT propone un procedimiento más claro y ágil para la tramitación de la variable ambiental en los Planes Reguladores, mediante el establecimiento de medidas para gestionar las condicionantes ambientales dentro del marco del ordenamiento jurídico. Su objetivo es garantizar que los planes de ordenamiento territorial contemplen la protección de los recursos naturales y la biodiversidad; así como la incorporación de acciones orientadas a la adaptación y mitigación del cambio climático, a salvaguardar la vida humana, mantener y promover una mejor calidad de vida, aumentar la resiliencia y seguridad de las comunidades y de los ecosistemas.

El Decreto Ejecutivo N.°44710-MINAE determina dos posibles metodologías para la elaboración de los EIVA-POT: la primera relacionada al análisis del Índice de Fragilidad Ambiental (EIVA-POT-IFA, Anexo N.°1); y la segunda asociada a tres elementos, siendo el Diagnóstico Ambiental, el Resumen de Información Complementaria y el Informe de Medidas para gestionar las condicionantes ambientales (EIVA-POT-DAMRIC-IME, Anexo N.°2).

Además, dispone también en anexos del Decreto Ejecutivo N.°44710-MINAE otros insumos a observar, el Procedimiento Técnico para la modificación de la variable ambiental aprobada en planes de ordenamiento territorial: Modificaciones de los EIVA-POT (Anexo N.°3); las Guías de presentación de los estudios ambientales de los EIVA-POT, según la metodología seleccionada (Anexo N.°4); y el Manual de revisión empleado por la SETENA para los estudios ambientales de los EIVA-POT (Anexo N.°5). (Ver Figura 22) El Reglamento para la Incorporación de la Variable Ambiental en Planes de Ordenamiento Territorial, Decreto Ejecutivo N.°44710-MINAE estipula su entrada en vigor a partir del 18 de agosto del 2025, por lo que su contenido es aplicable para toda nueva propuesta de Plan Regulador que inicie gestiones ante la SETENA en dicha fecha. Adicionalmente, contempla por medio de disposiciones transitorias escenarios asociados a normativa derogada, promulgada de previo:

 Manual de Instrumentos Técnicos para el Proceso de Evaluación del Impacto Ambiental (Manual de EIA)-Parte III, Decreto Ejecutivo N.°32967-MINAE  Reglamento de la transición para la revisión y aprobación de Planes Reguladores, Decreto Ejecutivo N.°39150-MINAE-MAG-MIVAH-PLAN-TUR  Especificaciones para Cartografía de la Variable Ambiental en Planes de Ordenamiento Territorial, Decreto Ejecutivo N.°42696-MINAE A continuación, se enlistan tales condicionantes asociadas a contextos temporales previos a la entrada en vigor del D.E. N.°44710-MINAE, que debe verificar el Gobierno Local con la SETENA, según su contexto:

 Los aplicación del Decreto N.°44710-MINAE no cuenten con resolución final, se rigen por la normativa anterior, según corresponda.

 Los Gobiernos Locales que iniciaron o contrataron estudios al amparo de los Decretos N.°32967-MINAE y N.°42696-MINAE, que no hayan ingresado a la SETENA, tienen un plazo de 12 meses a partir de la fecha de entrada en vigor del Decreto N.°44710-MINAE, para que sean presentados ante dicha instancia para su evaluación.

 Los Gobiernos Locales que cuenten con IFA aprobados aplicando el Decreto N.°39150-MINAEMAG- MIVAH-PLAN-TUR, tienen un plazo de 12 meses a partir de la fecha de entrada en vigor del Decreto N.°44710-MINAE, para entregar a la SETENA el Análisis de Alcance Ambiental y el Reglamento de Desarrollo Sostenible, en aplicación del Decreto Ejecutivo 32967-MlNAE.

 Los Gobiernos Locales que cuenten con IFA aprobados aplicando el Decreto N.°39150-MINAEMAG- MIVAH-PLAN-TUR, tienen un plazo de 12 meses a partir de la fecha de entrada en vigor del Decreto N.°44710-MINAE, para para completar la entregar a SETENA el Análisis de Alcance Ambiental y el Reglamento de Desarrollo Sostenible, en aplicación del Decreto Ejecutivo 32967-MlNAE.

 Los Gobiernos Locales que iniciaron o contrataron estudios y herramientas de agilización al amparo del Decreto N.°39150-MINAE-MAG-MIVAH-PLAN-TUR, que para la fecha de entrada en vigor del Decreto N.°44710-MINAE no hayan ingresado a la SETENA, tienen a partir de ese momento un plazo de 12 meses para terminar de elaborar y presentar lo correspondiente ante dicha instancia. De tratarse de una gestión segmentada, una vez que se tenga la aprobación de los IFA, se define un plazo de 12 meses para entregar a la SETENA el Análisis de Alcance Ambiental y el Reglamento de Desarrollo Sostenible, en aplicación del Decreto Ejecutivo 32967-MlNAE.

 Los Gobiernos Locales con Planes Reguladores que cuentan con viabilidad ambiental, e iniciaron gestiones de actualización o modificación ante la SETENA previo a la puesta en vigencia del Decreto N.°44710-MINAE, se deben tramitar según los lineamientos de las regulaciones anteriores.

Se advierte que, en caso de que las instancias con autoridad y competencia en materia ambiental modifiquen los mecanismos para la gestión de la Variable Ambiental, y consecuentemente el proceso para la obtención de la Viabilidad Ambiental de la propuesta del Plan Regulador, se debe dar cumplimiento a los nuevos procedimientos que se estipulen, según la respectiva normativa que les de sustento.

2.8.1. EIVA-POT: Metodología Índice de Fragilidad Ambiental Este método de análisis determina las cargas ambientales en el Área de Planificación, que contempla su condición de fragilidad natural, la carga ambiental inducida y la capacidad de absorción de la carga ambiental adicional, según la demanda de recursos. Involucra la integración de información multidisciplinaria disponible de forma documentada, y trabajo de campo directo e investigativo, si así lo determina el Gobierno Local y las personas profesionales contratada para efectuar los EIVA-POT. (Ver Figura 23) Para el desarrollo de la metodología se categorizan los IFA' en cuatro ejes de información ambiental fundamental: Geológico, Biológico, Aspectos Edafológicos, Cambio Climático; dando como resultado por cada eje en forma individual una sobreposición de variables y una clasificación de fragilidad. Los productos que se generen de la aplicación de esta metodología, que no representan elementos para la definición de zonas de prohibición del uso de la tierra, se respaldan con una Ficha Técnica Explicativa, según lo establece la SETENA.

Para este procedimiento, el Decreto N.°44710-MINAE define además requerimientos sobre el área de estudio y la escala que se debe aplicar para los productos cartográficos que se generen; así como una clasificación de esta según los siguientes criterios de categorización: IFA Muy Altos (categoría V color rojo); IFA Altos (categoría IV color naranja); IFA Moderados (categoría III color amarillo); IFA Bajos (categoría II olor verde claro); Muy Bajos (categoría I color verde oscuro).

A continuación, se enlistan los componentes para cada eje de información ambiental:

2.8.1.1. IFA Geológico Lleva relación con información geológica (litología, estratigrafía y estructuras asociadas), así como con los insumos para poder ser obtenida: unidades geológicas, unidades geomorfológicas, características hidrogeológicas y la susceptibilidad a amenazas naturales (sismicidad local, movimientos en masa, volcánica, potencial afectación por tsunamis e inundación). Establece áreas cartografiables que identifican las fragilidades existentes en el territorio, desde el punto de vista geológico.

El IFA Geológico se conforma de los siguientes factores:

 Geodinámico Externo  Recurso Hídrico  Amenazas Naturales 2.8.1.2. IFA Biológico Comprende la integración de aspectos biológicos del área de estudio, tomando en cuenta material cartográfico colectado en el campo, información técnica disponible en publicaciones y mapas oficiales, inventarios de especies, así como la aplicación de regulaciones de protección ambiental definida para diferentes categorías de espacios geográficos.

El IFA Biológico se conforma de las siguientes variables:

 Tipo de Cobertura Vegetal  Categorías de Manejo  Biodiversidad  Corredores Biológicos  Conectividad.

2.8.1.3. IFA Aspectos Edafológicos Corresponde con la información básica de aspectos edafológicos que se requiere obtener; se relaciona con la manera en que el ser humanos está empleando el recurso suelo, especialmente en largos periodos, la relación actual entre sociedad y medio ambiente, así como los criterios que respaldan la planificación futura del desarrollo sostenible y el ordenamiento del territorio. El IFA de Aspectos Edafológicos incluye el abordaje de los siguientes aspectos:

 Información sobre suelos y aspectos edafológicos para ordenamiento territorial  Tipo de suelo y capacidad de uso de la tierra  Zonificación de tipos de suelo Se debe seguir la Metodología para la Determinación de la Capacidad de Usos de las Tierras Agroecológicas de Costa Rica, Decreto Ejecutivo N.°41960-MAG-MINAE, incluyendo la categorización oficial allí definida, hasta la de unidades de manejo.

2.8.1.4. Efectos del cambio climático Considera los eventos de corto o largo plazo que se originan por el calentamiento de la atmósfera del planeta Tierra debido a la afectación humana por la emisión acelerada de gases de efecto invernadero. Incluye el estudio de efectos a corto plazo, como tormentas, huracanes, erosión, sequías e incendios forestales; y a largo plazo, como desertificación, degradación de ecosistemas por causas naturales, cambios del nivel del mar, entre otros.

El análisis de los efectos de cambio climático contempla los siguientes elementos:

 Afectaciones potenciales por cambio relativo del nivel del mar  Afectaciones potenciales por sequía y desertificación  Información de proyecciones de escenarios de cambio climático  Zonas de vida, incluyendo los datos climáticos y bioclimáticos más recientes Se debe analizar la información generada por el Instituto Meteorológico Nacional u otras fuentes internacionales de datos, en su versión más actualizada.

El procedimiento técnico que propone la metodología para la elaboración de los EIVA-POT por medio del análisis de los IFA, determina dentro de su estructura, además de los cuatro ejes de información ambiental fundamental antes citados, los subsiguientes componentes:

 Cartografía de Sobreuso Ambiental Actual  El Plan de Readecuación, Ajuste e Incentivos (PRAI)  Matriz Síntesis 2.8.2. EIVA-POT: Metodología Diagnóstico Ambiental - Resumen de Información Complementaria - Informe de Medidas para gestionar las condicionantes ambientales (DAM-RIC-IME).

Este método de análisis está compuesto por tres elementos, cuyas fuentes de datos sugiere el propio Decreto Ejecutivo N.°41960-MAG-MINAE, enfatizando el apremio de que se trate de información precisa y actualizada:

 Diagnóstico Ambiental (DAM)  Resumen de Información Complementaria (RIC)  Informe Medidas para gestionar las condicionantes ambientales (IME) Los EIVA-POT en esta metodología presentan una tipología de variables ambientales que se dividen en las siguientes tres categorías  Variables generales Corresponden a aquellas que debe obligatoriamente contener el EIVA-POT bajo la presente metodología; a continuación, se enlistan:

 Vulnerabilidad del acuífero a la contaminación  Recarga acuífera  Amenaza de inundación  Cobertura biótica (de flora) y Biodiversidad  Amenaza de sequía  Variables condicionales Son aquellas que se deben incorporar en el EIVA-POT, siempre que estén presentes en el área a planificar; de no ser así, debe aportarse la justificación técnica de su exclusión. Las siguientes se consideran variables condicionales:

 Capacidad de uso de las tierras agroecológicas  Susceptibilidad a los movimientos en masa  Amenaza volcánica  Amenaza de tsunamis  Corredores biológicos  Amenaza de aumento del nivel medio del mar  Variables adicionales Aquellas distintas a las generales y condicionales, que el gobierno local y su equipo planificador considera relevante incorporar en su análisis para efectos de la planificación del territorio, con el respectivo respaldo técnico; por ejemplo, paisaje, islas de calor, fallas geológicas, patrimonio arqueológico, territorios indígenas, trama verde, rutas de conectividad, áreas de transición, amortiguamiento de áreas silvestres protegidas, erosión costera y licuefacción, uso de territorio por especies migratorias.

SETENA revisa y analiza la inclusión de variables adicionales; pueden ser rechazadas por tal instancia por incumplimientos de los siguientes criterios:

 Presenta una condición ambiental que puede vincularse con el ordenamiento territorial.

 Es independiente de las variables generales y condicionales.

 Presenta marco teórico explicativo y metodología de cálculo.

A continuación, se detallan los elementos que conforman la metodología de los EIVA-POT-DAMRIC-IME: (Ver Figura 24) 2.8.2.1. Diagnóstico Ambiental (DAM) Se elabora como parte integral de la etapa de Diagnóstico Territorial del MAPRIOT, y tiene como finalidad conocer el detalle de la situación ambiental del área a planificar, a través de la recopilación y generación de información sobre las variables que contemplan los EIVA-POT, el estudio de las condicionantes ambientales, sus características, y los conflictos de uso de la tierra existentes.

EL DAM se compone de dos insumos:

 El Análisis de las variables del EIVA-POT, donde se realiza una descripción de las variables generales, condicionales y adicionales incluidas en el estudio; incluye el análisis metodológico y un archivo cartográfico de cada variable.

 El Análisis del DAM, que se realiza una vez concluido la evaluación ambiental de las variables; identifica y genera un detalle técnico y archivos cartográficos sobre el uso actual de la tierra, las condicionantes legales para el desarrollo, la modalidad de uso de la tierra, fuentes de información de las variables y su cálculo.

EL DAM contempla además el análisis de la vulnerabilidad de los acuíferos a la contaminación, recarga acuífera, amenaza de inundación, cobertura de flora (biótica), amenazas de sequías.

En complemento, el DAM define una serie variables condicionales, donde se tiene la capacidad de uso de las tierras agroecológicas, susceptibilidad a los movimientos en masa, amenaza volcánica, de tsunamis, aumento del nivel medio del mar; es posible incorporar variables adicionales, según se identifiquen en el territorio.

2.8.2.2. Resumen de Información Complementaria (RIC) Corresponde a información que trasciende el ámbito ambiental, de interés para la SETENA en lo que respecta a la incorporación de la variable ambiental en la propuesta del Plan Regulador. Se extrae de los hallazgos más relevantes del diagnóstico territorial y de la zonificación que se propone; es decir, para formular el RIC es necesario contar con una propuesta de plan regulador terminada.

Contempla los efectos de las presiones del desarrollo que fueron considerados en el área a planificar, lo proyectos de infraestructura pública con incidencia en el desarrollo del territorio, así como otras intervenciones que afecten la modalidad de uso de la tierra.

Con la información mencionada, se inicia con el proceso de incorporación de la variable ambiental en la zonificación propuesta, para lo que se deben considerar los resultados obtenidos en la Modalidad de uso de la tierra del DAM, donde se identifiquen las áreas que presentarían usos no acordes, acordes y usos acordes con potencial; se busca minimizar el uso no acorde, mitigándolo cuando sea legalmente posible, y promover el uso acorde o uso acorde con potencia.

2.8.2.3. Informe de Medidas para gestionar las condiciones ambientales (IME) A través del IME se verifica que las medidas para gestionar las condiciones ambientales presentes en el territorio están incluidas en la propuesta de zonificación y demás normativa de la propuesta del Plan Regulador.

Contiene las medidas que fueron incorporadas para gestionar las condiciones ambientales identificadas en el DAM, detallando las variables condicionales y las medidas presentes por cada zona; y las disposiciones donde fueron incorporadas en la propuesta normativa del Plan Regulador, indicando los reglamentos, artículos, incisos, tablas o demás contenido específico donde se plasman.

En su conclusión, el IME solicita que se incorpore la variable ambiental en la propuesta del Plan Regulador; con la zonificación propuesta en el RIC y la resolución de la variable ambiental otorgada, procede continuar ante el INVU y demás instituciones competentes al proceso de aprobación de Planes Regulares.

2.9. ETAPA 4: DIAGNÓSTICO TERRITORIAL La Etapa 4: Diagnóstico Territorial establece las bases del Plan Regulador al ofrecer una evaluación detallada de la situación actual del territorio, proporcionando una visión integral de sus características, problemas y potencialidades. El Diagnóstico Territorial responde a la pregunta esencial: ¿Dónde estamos?; su objetivo es ofrecer un panorama claro del estado del Área de Planificación, identificando los recursos disponibles y las necesidades de intervención para orientar el desarrollo territorial de manera precisa y eficiente, con estrategias adaptadas a las particularidades del territorio.

Este apartado se organiza en tres numerales: Recopilación y Sistematización de Datos, donde se reúne la información base; Análisis de la Situación Actual, que evalúa las variables del territorio desde los ejes social, físico-espacial, económico, político-institucional y jurídico; y Resultados del Diagnóstico, que sintetiza los hallazgos para apoyar la toma de decisiones en la propuesta del Plan Regulador. El objetivo es obtener una visión clara del estado actual del área, considerando la calidad y disponibilidad de los recursos para orientar eficazmente el desarrollo territorial.

Los productos entregables de esta Etapa, asociados a los numerales mencionados, corresponden al Informe del Diagnóstico Territorial, que comprende los resultados del análisis por eje y el análisis integral, así como el Atlas Cartográfico del Diagnóstico Territorial. (Ver Figura 25) 2.9.1. Recopilación y Sistematización de Datos Para el Diagnóstico Territorial, el proceso de recopilación y sistematización de datos constituye el primer paso, esencial para sentar las bases de los análisis posteriores. Este apartado aborda la recolección y organización de información relevante a través de distintas herramientas y metodologías, incluyendo el levantamiento de campo, la integración de Sistemas de Información Geográfica (SIG), y la descripción detallada de los componentes físicos y sociales del territorio.

2.9.1.1. Fuentes y Metodologías de Recolección de Datos Para la recolección de datos territoriales se utilizan Sistemas de Información Geográfica (SIG) y visitas de campo. Los SIG permiten capturar y analizar datos espaciales de alta precisión, mientras que las visitas de campo aportan observación directa de condiciones críticas del territorio, integrando así tecnología e investigación para un diagnóstico completo.

 Sistemas de Información Geográfica (SIG): El uso de Sistemas de Información geográfica (SIG) facilita la recolección, almacenamiento y visualización de datos espaciales. Para la recopilación de información territorial, se recomienda utilizar software de SIG libre o licencia de paga, de acuerdo con las capacidades de la municipalidad o empresa consultora.

Se pueden obtener imágenes aéreas mediante Vehículos Aéreos No Tripulados (VANT), como drones, o a través de plataformas nacionales oficiales. Estas imágenes permiten capturar información espacial de alta precisión y son fundamentales para comprender la distribución física del territorio. La operación de esta tecnología debe ser realizada por profesionales en geografía, cartografía o áreas afines, quienes pueden analizar y representar los datos de forma gráfica, facilitando la visualización de los elementos territoriales para la toma de decisiones en el área de planificación.

 Visitas de Campo: Las visitas de campo permiten observar y documentar directamente aspectos clave del territorio, proporcionando información detallada sobre las condiciones reales de cada sector. Durante estas visitas, el Equipo Planificador puede identificar situaciones críticas, como zonas con riesgos naturales, estado de la infraestructura y servicios. Los datos obtenidos en campo se sistematizan y organizan para respaldar los análisis y diagnósticos posteriores.

2.9.1.2. Componentes de Datos Específicos para el Diagnóstico Territorial En este numeral se detallan los componentes específicos recomendados para abordarse dentro del apartado de recopilación y sistematización de datos. Cada uno de estos elementos contribuye a construir una visión completa del estado actual del territorio y constituye una base sólida para los análisis en el diagnóstico territorial. (Ver Figura 26)  Actualización de Campo y Montaje en el Sistema de Información Geográfica (SIG): Este proceso implica la recopilación de datos espaciales detallados a través de imágenes aéreas y otras fuentes. Estos se integran en el sistema de SIG, lo cual permite visualizar con precisión la distribución y características territoriales. Esta información espacial es fundamental para mapear y analizar las diferentes zonas del Área de Planificación, así como para identificar patrones de uso y ocupación actual del suelo.

 Levantamiento de Campo del Uso de Suelo: Consiste en la inspección directa del área de planificación para registrar el uso actual del suelo y su distribución. Se identifican las actividades predominantes, como áreas comerciales, residenciales, industriales, agropecuarias, forestales, turísticas y de conservación, entre otros. Este análisis permite estructurar un modelo de desarrollo acorde con las características actuales del territorio y facilita la creación de un mapa de uso actual que refleja los patrones de ocupación del suelo.

 Actualización de la Infraestructura Existente: Esta actividad se enfoca en revisar actualizar la información sobre las infraestructuras existentes en el Área a Planificar.

Se incluyen elementos como sistemas de transporte, redes de agua potable, alcantarillado pluvial y sanitario, como también su tratamiento, drenajes y servicios eléctricos. La recopilación de estos datos permite evaluar la capacidad de las infraestructuras actuales y determinar la necesidad de futuras intervenciones en función del desarrollo del territorio.

 Análisis de la Estructura Urbana: El análisis de la estructura urbana implica evaluar la disposición y conectividad de los componentes urbanos, como áreas de comercio, industria y vivienda. Esto permite identificar patrones de desarrollo, morfología urbana y áreas de concentración. Se estudian también aspectos de infraestructura vial, conectividad entre las distintas zonas y accesibilidad. Este análisis es fundamental para comprender la organización y funcionamiento del suelo urbanizado, así como para planificar mejoras en términos de accesibilidad y conectividad.

 Datos de Demografía y Estructura Social: El análisis demográfico proporciona información sobre el perfil poblacional del área de planificación, incluyendo su distribución por edad, sexo, nivel socioeconómico, población migrante, seguridad ciudadana y otros indicadores relevantes con necesidades básicas. Estos datos se obtienen del último Censo Nacional y de proyecciones demográficas actualizadas, lo cual permite evaluar tendencias de crecimiento y establecer planes acordes a las necesidades de la población.

 Servicios de Salud y Educación: La recopilación de información sobre los servicios de salud y educación en el Área de Planificación es fundamental para prever el acceso de la población a estos servicios. En el diagnóstico, se evalúa la cobertura de estos servicios, así como la ubicación de centros de salud como: clínicas, EBAIS, CEN, CINAI, CECUDI, IAFA, consultorios, entre otros; y escuelas u otras instalaciones educativas tales como: guarderías, escuelas, colegios, universidades, entre otros. Esta información permite identificar necesidades de infraestructura para garantizar que la población cuente con servicios adecuados.

 Condición de Vivienda: El análisis de la condición de vivienda se enfoca en evaluar las características habitacionales del área de planificación. Se identifican los tipos de viviendas, como unifamiliares, multifamiliares, urbanizaciones, conjuntos residenciales, proyectos bajo el régimen de propiedad en condominio, así como las condiciones de infraestructura sus servicios básicos; como también, asentamientos informales, irregulares, áreas residenciales en estado de deterioro y estructuras inhabitables.

 Servicios Comunales Existentes: Este componente incluye la identificación de los servicios comunales disponibles en el Área de Planificación, como áreas de parque, juegos infantiles, áreas verdes, plazas y facilidades comunales tales como centros educativos, centros de salud, instalaciones deportivas, centros comunales, centros culturales, bibliotecas públicas, museos, mercados públicos, centros de cuido y cualquier otro espacio similar orientado al uso y beneficio colectivo.

2.9.2. Análisis por Ejes de la Situación Actual El análisis de los elementos que compone cada eje implica la descripción textual de la situación actual de cada tema, así como elementos gráficos, de ser requeridos para la comprensión de esta. Involucra una diversidad de temas, cuyo estudio se encuentra directamente relacionado con los elementos que debe contener el Plan Regulador, según lo dispone la Ley de Planificación Urbana en su versión vigente, que implica el estudio de la población, el uso del suelo y su distribución en el territorio, circulación, servicios comunales y públicos, vivienda, renovación urbana y ambiente. Dentro del levantamiento de esta información, se debe incluir la participación ciudadana como eje trasversal, según la estrategia propuesta.

(Ver Figura 27) 2.9.2.1. Eje Social Contempla la estructura socio demográfico como un objeto de estudio relevante, debido a su relación con la calidad, cobertura y distribución de los servicios de infraestructura pública, así como las densidades y concentraciones de población en el territorio; este eje plantea una serie de variables que deben ser analizadas por parte del equipo planificador.

Dentro de los aspectos a analizar, se tiene el tamaño y estructura actual de la población en el área a planificar, según lo establece el inciso b) del artículo 16 de la Ley de Planificación Urbana; además, las proyecciones y tendencias de su crecimiento que determina el inciso c) del artículo 30 de ese mismo cuerpo normativo. Si se está ante un aumento o descenso del número de habitantes, las posibles causas que generan ese cambio, y si atañen a una situación del cantón o de la realidad país como son los procesos migratorios.

Además, examinar la concentración y distribución de la población en área urbanas y rurales; de desigualdad territorial, los asentamientos irregulares, informales o en zonas con potencial de riesgo por amenazas naturales; el acceso y calidad de servicios públicos indispensables, de vivienda e infraestructura pública. Este análisis busca orientar la toma de decisiones sobre posibles intervenciones en el territorio, identificando la necesidad de reorganizar la localización de la población actual mediante propuestas de zonificación y ajustes en las densidades habitacionales, con el fin de propiciar un desarrollo urbano más equilibrado y seguro.

Otro de los aspectos a considerar son los movimientos migratorios de la población desde y hacia el área a planificar, con el objetivo de identificar si se está ante un espacio expulsor o atractor de habitantes, y fijar acciones que se pretendan tomar para frenar o consolidar ese movimiento poblacional, según los intereses del gobierno local.

En congruencia con lo anterior, asociado al Eje Social se debe contar al menos con los siguientes insumos, según los numerales antes citados de la Ley de Planificación Urbana:

 Diagnóstico de Población: Incluye el estudio de datos demográficos más recientes del área a planificar por distrito, como población total, distribución por edad y sexo, población por zona urbana y rural, tasas de crecimiento, y otras estadísticas relevantes que ayuden a comprender la composición y dinámica poblacional del área a planificar.

 Análisis Cultural y Social del Territorio: Involucra el análisis de información sobre las características culturales, históricas y sociales de la población dentro del área a planificar. Este estudio debe contemplar, entre otros aspectos, una síntesis de la historia del cantón, lo cual permite contextualizar de manera más adecuada el territorio al ofrecer una visión de la evolución de los usos del suelo, las estrategias de resiliencia ante eventos específicos, los procesos identitarios y otros elementos relevantes para una comprensión integral del entorno. Asimismo, se deben considerar las prácticas culturales dominantes, sitios históricos relevantes, estructura social, actores clave en el territorio desde el punto de vista comunal como económico y la relación de estos elementos con la distribución espacial de las comunidades.

Para el análisis de la materia comprendida en el Eje Social, se sugiere consultar la documentación con que cuentan las instancias a continuación, que ostentan competencia al respecto:

 Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censo (INEC)  Ministerio de Seguridad Pública (MSP)  Ministerio de Planificación y Política Económica (MIDEPLAN)  Instituto de Desarrollo Rural (INDER)  Instituto de Fomento y Asesoría Municipal (IFAM)  Programa De Las Naciones Unidas Para el Desarrollo (PNUD)  Fuentes propias del Gobierno Local 2.9.2.2. Eje Físico Espacial Examina los aspectos naturales y artificiales que caracterizan actualmente el sistema territorial, considerando las diversas unidades, elementos y procesos que lo conforman, el uso actual del territorio y su ocupación. Involucra la ubicación, morfología, patrones espaciales de crecimiento, características y funciones de las áreas urbanas y rurales.

Abarca el estudio de la conectividad entre dichos centros, la infraestructura vial, ubicación, accesos, condiciones para la movilización en el territorio, incluyendo el transporte público. Además, abarca el análisis de la cobertura, estado, demanda y calidad de las facilidades comunales, servicios públicos, así como las áreas verdes.

El contenido de la materia que contempla el análisis de este eje se deriva de disposiciones determinadas en los incisos b), c), d), e), f) y g) del artículo 16 de la Ley de Planificación Urbana, y el inciso a) del artículo 29 de la Ley Orgánica del Ambiente, Ley N.°7554; motivo por el que se definen los siguientes insumos mínimos que se deben presentar como parte de un documento escrito:

 Informe del Uso Actual del Suelo: Análisis detallado y contextualizado del uso actual del suelo, considerando las áreas urbanas, no urbanas y de expansión. Se debe enfocar en la situación y distribución de terrenos destinados a vivienda, comercio, industria, educación, recreación y otros usos públicos; así como identificar las áreas agrícolas y pecuarias con sus categorías, ubicación de los distritos de riego y avenamiento cuando así corresponda; ubica las Áreas Silvestres Protegidas y otras áreas no urbanas. Incluye además un análisis de la estructura urbana, áreas de protección forestal, áreas de riesgo por amenazas naturales, pendientes; patrones de crecimiento urbano, morfología, el costo del suelo, y la consideración de Áreas Bajo Régimen Especial. Identifica cada elemento en el área a planificar, categorizando el uso actual del suelo.

 Informe de Asentamientos Informales e Irregulares: Síntesis y detalle de la ubicación y área de los asentamientos informales e irregulares detectados, indicando la cantidad aproximada de familias, condiciones de vida, accesibilidad a servicios básicos, equipamiento urbano, conectividad con los sectores aledaños, y otros datos socioeconómicos relevantes.

 Informe de Intervención Potencial por Renovación Urbana: Descripción de cada área identificada con potencial para ser intervenida por medio de renovación urbana a través de su conservación, rehabilitación o remodelación, y su vínculo con el tejido urbano.

 Estudio Básico de Circulación y Transporte: Análisis comprensivo de la circulación actual del área a planificar, identificando las vías públicas de la Red Vial Nacional y Cantonal, y las rutas del transporte público y privado. Debe incluir la localización en el área a planificar de terminales de transporte (como estaciones de buses, de trenes, paradas de taxis, puertos o muelles, aeropuertos y otros puntos de intercambio), y las principales rutas de circulación, destacando flujos vehiculares y peatonales significativos.

 Informe de Servicios Públicos: Detalla la situación actual de los servicios públicos en el área a planificar; abarca aspectos como la capacidad, la eficiencia, la cobertura y el estado de conservación de infraestructuras clave como agua potable, alcantarillado pluvial y sanitario, hidrantes, gestión de residuos, así como cualquier otro de importancia análoga; muestra además problemáticas como brechas en la cobertura y áreas críticas que necesitan intervención urgente o futura expansión.

 Informe de Servicios Comunales: Ubica y describe las áreas destinadas a servicios comunales dentro del área a planificar, incluyendo áreas de parque, juegos infantiles, áreas verdes, plazas y facilidades comunales tales como centros educativos, centros de salud, instalaciones deportivas, centros comunales, centros culturales, bibliotecas públicas, museos, mercados públicos, centros de cuido y cualquier otro espacio similar orientado al uso y beneficio colectivo; además, debe señalar la capacidad actual de estas instalaciones y su relación con la población servida.

 Informe de Espacios Públicos para Comercio al Aire Libre: Análisis de cada espacio público existente y con potencial, incluyendo su capacidad, restricciones legales, infraestructura de servicios disponibles, y recomendaciones para su uso en actividades comerciales temporales; identifica su ubicación en el área a planificar. Para el análisis de la materia comprendida en el Eje Físico Espacial, se sugiere consultar la documentación con que cuentan las instancias a continuación, que ostentan competencia al respecto:

 Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT)  Ministerio de Salud (MINSA)  Ministerio de Vivienda y Asentamientos Humanos (MIVAH)  Ministerio de Educación (MEP)  Ministerio de Seguridad Pública (MSP)  Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería (MAG)  Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación (SINAC)  Instituto de Desarrollo Rural (INDER)  Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AYA)  Secretaría Técnica Nacional Ambiental (SETENA)  Comisión Nacional de Emergencias (CNE)  Fuentes propias del Gobierno Local  Asociaciones Administradoras de Sistemas de Acueductos y Alcantarillados Comunales (ASADA) 2.9.2.3. Eje Económico Contempla el modelo de desarrollo y competitividad del territorio objeto de estudio, además del análisis del mercado del suelo como un componente central en la planificación urbana y el ordenamiento territorial, al ser determinante en aspectos tales como acceso a la vivienda, tenencia de la tierra, informalidad, entre otros.

Además, aborda el estudio de realidades sociales ligadas a la situación económica y laboral de la población presente en el territorio, con el objetivo adicional de identificar posibles fuentes generadoras de empleo.

Lo anterior considerando una de las funciones asociadas a la planificación urbana, de buscar la adecuada distribución de la población y las actividades económicas en el área a planificar, según lo establece el inciso b) del artículo 2 de la Ley de Planificación Urbana, así como el inciso c) de su artículo 16. Por tanto, asociado al Eje Económico se debe contar al menos con el siguiente insumo, según los numerales antes citados:

 Informe de Diagnóstico Económico: Proporciona un análisis de la situación económica del área de estudio, identificando las principales actividades económicas, los sectores productivos presentes en el territorio, la distribución de las áreas industriales y comerciales, las áreas de actividad agropecuaria y turística, entre otras, según corresponda en el área a planificar. Debe analizar el valor del suelo urbano y rural, valores de terrenos por zonas homogéneas y estructura productiva, fuerza de trabajo, empleo y población económicamente activa, como también la tendencia del mercado del suelo y la tenencia de la tierra. También debe considerar la contribución de estos sectores al desarrollo económico local y regional, la interrelación con el uso del suelo, y cómo tales factores económicos pueden influir en la elaboración posterior de la Política para la propuesta del Plan Regulador.

Para el análisis de la materia comprendida en el Eje Económico, se sugiere consultar la documentación con que cuentan las instancias a continuación, que ostentan competencia al respecto:

 Sistema Nacional de Información Territorial (SNIT)  Ministerio de Economía Industria y Comercio (MEIC)  Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censo (INEC)  Fuentes propias del Gobierno Local 2.9.2.4. Eje Político Institucional Este análisis contempla el funcionamiento y operatividad, en términos de eficiencia y eficacia, de las instancias de nivel local, regional y nacional con respecto al territorio y sus habitantes; examina además las capacidades municipales para el control del área a planificar, estructuras organizativas, carencias y necesidades estructurales de la administración para dar gestión al territorio. Su abordaje debe contener el siguiente insumo mínimo, en atención al inciso a) del artículo 16 de la Ley de Planificación Urbana.

 Informe Político Institucional: Examina la estructura política e institucional que influye en la planificación y administración del área a planificar. Describe todas las entidades políticas, administrativas, gubernamentales, culturales, ambientales, sociedad civil y demás actores sociales involucradas en el territorio, incluyendo los niveles de gobierno local, regional y nacional que tienen competencia directa. Describir la capacidad de estas entidades para implementar políticas y regulaciones, gestionar proyectos y colaborar entre diferentes niveles de gobierno y enlistar las políticas públicas actuales que impactan la planificación y el desarrollo del área, incluyendo su eficacia y áreas de mejora.

Para el análisis de la materia comprendida en este Eje, se sugiere consultar la documentación con que cuentan las instancias a continuación, que ostentan competencia al respecto:

 Ministerio de Planificación y Política Económica (MIDEPLAN)  Instituto de Desarrollo Rural (INDER)  Instituto de Fomento y Asesoría Municipal (IFAM)  Presidencia de la República  Fuentes propias del Gobierno Local 2.9.2.5. Eje Jurídico Contempla la compilación del marco jurídico vigente y su relación con la estructura jurídica, que permite la interpretación a de la materia legal vinculada a la planificación urbana y el ordenamiento territorial en sus diferentes ámbitos. En atención al inciso a) del artículo 16 de la Ley de Planificación Urbana, su abordaje debe contener el siguiente insumo mínimo:

 Análisis Legal del Área a Planificar. El informe debe revisar las leyes, decretos, reglamentos municipales, jurisprudencia y otras regulaciones que afectan directamente el desarrollo y uso del suelo en el territorio.

Para el análisis de la materia comprendida en el Eje Jurídico, se sugiere consultar la documentación con que cuentan las instancias a continuación, que ostentan competencia al respecto:

 Sistema Nacional de Legislación Vigente (SINALEVI)  Poder Judicial  Procuraduría General de la República (PGR)  Sala Constitucional  Fuentes propias del Gobierno Local Además de las regulaciones de alcance nacional, es preciso verificar si se cuenta con cuerpos normativos asociados a las particularidades de cada territorio que me emiten a través de leyes y decretos ejecutivos.

2.9.3. Resultados del Diagnóstico Territorial Tras la recopilación de información y su respectivo análisis, es recomendable como parte del Diagnóstico Territorial sistematizar en un apartado los principales hallazgos asociados a cada eje, según su categorización en potencialidades, limitantes, necesidades e impactos en el área a planificar. (Ver Tabla 7).

Esta sistematización y análisis involucra además la información generada de los Estudios de la ncorporación de la Variable Ambiental; de igual forma se deben contemplar los elementos de naturaleza ambiental inmersos en el Eje Físico Espacial, como las Áreas Silvestres Protegidas, áreas de protección forestal, áreas de riesgo por amenazas naturales.

Todos los hallazgos identificados se deben describir textualmente en un apartado titulado: Análisis Integral del Diagnóstico Territorial, el cual consiste en un informe que sistematice los principales hallazgos obtenidos durante el proceso de análisis, organizados por ejes temáticos (social, físico-espacial, económico, político-institucional y jurídico), categorizados como potencialidades, limitantes, necesidades e impactos. (Ver Figura 28) 2.9.4. Atlas Cartográfico del Diagnóstico Territorial Además del informe "Análisis Integral del Diagnóstico Territorial", se deben incluir los elementos gráficos que respalden su contenido en el Atlas Cartográfico del Diagnóstico Territorial compuesto por los siguientes mapas: Mapa de Asentamientos Informales e Irregulares, Mapa de Áreas de Renovación Urbana, Mapa de Espacios Públicos para Comercio al Aire Libre, Mapa de Circulación y Transporte, Mapa de Servicios Públicos, Mapa de Servicios Comunales y Mapa del Uso Actual del Suelo.

Estos insumos cartográficos son esenciales para la representación visual del diagnóstico y para la toma de decisiones del Plan Regulador. Para la elaboración del Atlas Cartográfico del Diagnóstico Territorial se recomienda ajustarse a las especificaciones de la "Guía para la Elaboración de Cartografía de Planes Reguladores". Para los mapas del Atlas Cartográfico se requiere utilizar como mínimo el tamaño de hoja "Tabloide", correspondiente a medidas de 432mm de largo por 279mm de ancho, en donde se determina el uso adecuado para la representación de la información de manera detallada y comprensible. A continuación, se detalla el contenido correspondiente a los mapas: (Ver Figura 29)  Mapa de Uso Actual del Suelo: Representación cartográfica del diagnóstico del Área de Planificación que delimita y clasifica los predios de acuerdo con el uso que presentan en la actualidad. Este mapa refleja de manera integral la información obtenida en campo, complementada con registros catastrales y municipales, identificando entre otros los usos de comercio, industria, agricultura, institucional, residencial, urbanizaciones, conjuntos residenciales y proyectos bajo el régimen de propiedad en condominio.

Asimismo, señala las áreas en riesgo y las Áreas Bajo Régimen Especial. Cuando corresponda se incorporan los conos de aproximación de aeropuertos  Mapa de Asentamientos Informales e Irregulares: Representación cartográfica del diagnóstico del Área de Planificación, que delimita la ubicación de los asentamientos informales y de los asentamientos irregulares, incluyendo un análisis de las condiciones de vida, tales como la calidad de la vivienda, acceso a servicios básicos y la infraestructura existente.

 Mapa de Áreas de Renovación Urbana: Representación cartográfica del diagnóstico del Área de Planificación, que identifica áreas con potencial para intervenir por medio de renovación urbana, las cuales pueden incluir la conservación, rehabilitación o remodelación de edificaciones y espacios públicos, con el objetivo de integrarlos en un desarrollo urbano sostenible.

 Mapa de Circulación y Transporte: Representación cartográfica del diagnóstico del Área de Planificación que identifica la red de circulación vehicular y peatonal, así como los sistemas de transporte público y privado, incluyendo terminales, estaciones de buses y trenes, paradas de taxis y estacionamientos públicos.

 Mapa de Servicios Públicos: Representación cartográfica del diagnóstico del Área de Planificación con la ubicación de la infraestructura de servicios públicos, tales como agua potable, electricidad, alcantarillado, gestión de residuos.

 Mapa de Servicios Comunales: Representación cartográfica del diagnóstico del Área de Planificación que muestra la localización de los predios que cuentan con edificaciones o infraestructura comunal existente, como áreas de parque, juegos infantiles, áreas verdes, plazas y facilidades comunales tales como centros educativos, centros de salud, instalaciones deportivas, centros comunales, centros culturales, bibliotecas públicas, museos, mercados públicos, centros de cuido y cualquier otro espacio similar orientado al uso y beneficio colectivo.

 Mapa de Espacios Públicos para Comercio al Aire Libre: Representación cartográfica del diagnóstico del Área de Planificación que localiza los espacios públicos existentes con potencial para actividades comerciales temporales al aire libre.

La unificación de los elementos antes señalados permite comprender el territorio como una integralidad, en la que se interrelacionan en un mismo espacio físico diversas unidades, elementos y procesos territoriales de índole físico espacial, social, económico, político, jurídico y ambiental.

Es un requerimiento socializar los hallazgos identificados mediante informes por medio de las técnicas participativas planteadas en la Metodología de Participación Ciudadana y el Plan de Trabajo, con la intención de validar su veracidad.

Como resultado del Análisis Integral del Diagnóstico Territorial se obtiene la identificación,representación y georreferenciación de los principales hallazgos; tales resultados, así como los insumos generados en todo el proceso de análisis, incluyendo los mapas citados, se deben tomar como punto de partida para el planteamiento de la propuesta del Plan Regulador.

2.10. ETAPA 5: PRONÓSTICO TERRITORIAL El Pronóstico Territorial es una etapa fundamental en la elaboración del Plan Regulador, la cual se realiza posterior al Diagnóstico Territorial y sienta las bases para la formulación de la propuesta mediante la Política de Desarrollo Urbano y los Reglamentos de Desarrollo Urbano. Este proceso proyecta el desarrollo futuro del territorio a partir del análisis de tendencias actuales y la construcción de escenarios prospectivos, con el objetivo de anticipar cambios, desafíos y oportunidades, orientando la planificación territorial hacia la sostenibilidad y la gestión de riesgos.

El Pronóstico Territorial encuentra su sustento legal en la Ley de Planificación Urbana, Ley N.°4240, específicamente en el inciso b) del artículo 16, el cual establece la necesidad de incorporar en el Plan Regulador un estudio de la población que incluya proyecciones hacia el futuro crecimiento demográfico, su distribución y densidad recomendada. Esta disposición subraya la importancia de anticipar dinámicas territoriales mediante análisis prospectivos y construcción de escenarios futuros, para prever que las políticas y estrategias de desarrollo sean acordes a las necesidades proyectadas de la población y del territorio.

Además de interpretar los datos del Diagnóstico Territorial, el Pronóstico Territorial formula proyecciones mediante métodos participativos, prospectiva y escenarios, actuando como un puente entre la identificación de problemas, potencialidades actuales y el diseño de estrategias concretas para un futuro deseable y factible. La integración de diversos actores en este proceso permite incorporar múltiples perspectivas y necesidades, enriqueciendo las visiones de futuro y promoviendo una planificación urbana proactiva que fomente un desarrollo sostenible y equitativo en los entornos urbanos y rurales.

2.10.1. Objetivos del Pronóstico Territorial El Pronóstico Territorial busca proporcionar una visión clara y fundamentada del desarrollo futuro del cantón, logrando: anticipar dinámicas territoriales, sociales y económicas en función de tendencias actuales; visualizar escenarios alternativos para la toma de decisiones informadas; facilitar la priorización de acciones estratégicas de desarrollo y orientar la propuesta del Plan Regulador hacia un modelo territorial sostenible.

2.10.2. Elaboración del Pronóstico Territorial Para la elaboración del Pronóstico Territorial, se recomienda seguir una serie de pasos estructurados que combinan un análisis técnico riguroso con la participación de los actores locales. (Ver Figura 30) 2.10.2.1. Proyección de Tendencias (Prospectiva) La prospectiva es una herramienta que permite identificar tendencias clave que influyen en el desarrollo del territorio y proyectarlas hacia el futuro. Este análisis debe considerar múltiples dimensiones, como lo físico-espacial, social, económico, ambiental, jurídico y político-institucional, utilizando hipótesis basadas en datos actuales y pasados.

Como disciplina dedicada al análisis de sistemas sociales, facilita una comprensión más profunda de la realidad actual, el aprendizaje a partir del pasado y la proyección de posibles tendencias futuras, evaluando su impacto en la sociedad. Su enfoque permite la creación de alternativas de futuro que sean posibles, probables y deseables, priorizando objetivos y estrategias, así como llevando a cabo simulaciones y análisis de contingencias, lo que amplía las opciones disponibles para la toma de decisiones.

De acuerdo con el Manual de Prospectiva y Técnicas para elaborar escenarios a futuro de MIDEPLAN (2015), la prospectiva se estructura en tres etapas esenciales:

 Visión de largo plazo. Define el rumbo estratégico del territorio, priorizando un horizonte temporal extenso.

 Cobertura integral holística. Ofrece una visión global que facilita la gestión de la complejidad, destacando relaciones causales e identificando indicadores clave para el desarrollo futuro.

 Consenso de los sectores sociales interesados. Promueve un consenso entre sectores sociales, para prever que las decisiones reflejen las necesidades de la sociedad, aumentando la legitimidad y el respaldo hacia las estrategias planteadas.

La prospectiva permite diseñar alternativas de futuro que sean posibles, probables y deseables, ayudando a las autoridades locales a priorizar estrategias y prepararse para contingencias.

2.10.2.2. Construcción de Escenarios Futuros La construcción de escenarios prospectivos utiliza conjuntos de datos e información para explorar diferentes caminos que el desarrollo del territorio podría tomar. Según el Manual de Prospectiva y Técnicas para elaborar escenarios a futuro de MIDEPLAN (2015), los escenarios más comunes son:

 Escenario actual: Basado en el diagnóstico territorial, describe la situación presente, identificando problemas centrales y sus causas. Responde a la pregunta "¿Qué es el cantón?".

 Escenario tendencial: Proyecta lo que ocurrirá si no se realizan cambios en las dinámicas actuales. Responde a "¿Hacia dónde va el cantón?".

 Escenario ideal (deseable): Visualiza el futuro deseado, aunque poco probable, en función de las aspiraciones de la población. Responde a "¿Qué quiere ser el cantón?".

 Escenario posible (plausible): Integra acciones realistas y factibles basadas en recursos y capacidades disponibles. Responde a "¿Qué podemos lograr?".

Estos escenarios permiten anticipar riesgos y oportunidades, guiando la formulación de la Política de Desarrollo Urbano y los Reglamentos de Desarrollo Urbano hacia un modelo cohesivo y sostenible.

Los escenarios planteados, no son de carácter restrictivo, sino que son flexibles y pueden adaptarse fácilmente a los contextos territoriales específicos. Esto significa que pueden ser ajustados para reflejar las particularidades sociales, económicas y culturales de cada región, teniendo en cuenta las dinámicas locales. Además, estos escenarios pueden ser modificados para responder a las necesidades particulares de los gobiernos locales, permitiendo que las estrategias y alternativas propuestas se alineen con sus objetivos, recursos y desafíos específicos.

2.10.2.3. Recomendaciones para la Construcción del Pronóstico Territorial La construcción del Pronóstico Territorial requiere un enfoque técnico y participativo que asegure su relevancia y ajuste a las necesidades del territorio. A continuación, se presentan recomendaciones clave para guiar este proceso:

 Análisis participativo: Involucrar a actores clave, como comunidades locales, sectores productivos y especialistas, para garantizar que los escenarios reflejen las necesidades y aspiraciones del territorio. Debe desarrollar lo planteado en el apartado correspondiente a la Estrategia de Participación Ciudadana.

 Enfoque sistémico: Identificar interacciones entre factores sociales, económicos, ambientales y políticos para construir una visión integral del futuro territorial. Para ello, se recomienda consulta el Manual de Prospectiva y Técnicas para Elaborar Escenarios a Futuro de MIDEPLAN.

 Flexibilidad y adaptabilidad: Diseñar escenarios que puedan ajustarse a contextos territoriales específicos y a cambios inesperados, asegurando que las estrategias sean resilientes y aplicables.

 Definición de indicadores clave: Utilizar indicadores medibles que permitan monitorear y evaluar las tendencias proyectadas, fortaleciendo la toma de decisiones informadas.

El Pronóstico Territorial es una herramienta estratégica que permite a los gobiernos locales planificar de manera proactiva, anticipando desafíos y aprovechando oportunidades para orientar el desarrollo del área a planificar del cantón. A través de métodos prospectivos y construcción de escenarios, este componente no solo guía la propuesta del Plan Regulador, sino que también fortalece la capacidad de adaptación del territorio frente a cambios dinámicos. Su elaboración exige un enfoque riguroso, participativo y orientado a la sostenibilidad, para prever que las decisiones actuales contribuyan a un futuro deseable y alcanzable.

2.11. ETAPA 6: PROPUESTA DEL PLAN REGULADOR Corresponde a las actividades que desarrolla el Equipo Planificador, con el fin de formular una propuesta, del Plan Regulador mediante los cuales se planifique y gestione el desarrollo en el Área de Planificación.

Dicha propuesta se compone de la Política de Desarrollo Urbano y los Reglamentos de Desarrollo Urbano.

La formulación de la propuesta considera la relación entre las áreas urbanas y demás unidades territoriales vinculadas al Área de Planificación, tales como las ABRE, aun cuando éstas se excluyan de la aplicación del Plan Regulador. Lo anterior supone la articulación del plan con diversos instrumentos de planificación vigentes.

La incorporación de diversos actores sociales durante esta Etapa a través del proceso participativo es indispensable, ya que fomenta la definición de bases de consenso y validación que fortalecen la formulación y posterior gestión de la propuesta.

Asimismo, es fundamental que las políticas estén articuladas y alineadas con los instrumentos de planificación existentes en todos los niveles del Estado. Esto incluye las políticas y planes nacionales y regionales, así como los planes cantonales y locales, tanto a mediano como a largo plazo. Esta articulación asegura la coherencia entre los distintos niveles de planificación, evita la duplicación de esfuerzos y facilita la complementariedad entre iniciativas.

2.11.1. Política de Desarrollo Urbano El Equipo Planificador debe formular una Política de Desarrollo Urbano para el Área de Planificación, fundamentada en los hallazgos obtenidos durante la Etapa de Diagnóstico y Pronóstico Territorial.

La formulación de la Política de Desarrollo Urbano tiene su fundamento legal en el artículo 16 inciso a) de la Ley de Planificación Urbana, Ley N.°4240, donde se definen los elementos que debe contener el Plan Regulador, en el cual se menciona:

"Artículo 16-. De acuerdo con los objetivos que definan los propios y diversos órganos de gobierno y administración del Estado, el plan regulador local contendrá los siguientes elementos, sin tener que limitarse a ellos:

• a)La política de desarrollo, con enunciación de los principios y normas en que se fundamente, y los objetivos que plantean las necesidades y el crecimiento del área a planificar (.)" De conformidad con lo establecido en el artículo citado, la Política debe incluir, como mínimo, los principios y normativa que la fundamentan, los objetivos que guían el desarrollo urbano y las acciones estratégicas para alcanzarlos. Estos elementos constituyen el marco esencial para definir una visión integral y coherente del desarrollo territorial. Asimismo, la Política puede incorporar otros aspectos de interés que el gobierno local considere relevantes para su contexto, como la definición del horizonte temporal del Plan Regulador.

Este horizonte temporal determina el periodo de proyección de las intervenciones y estrategias, facilitando su planificación y ejecución en el mediano y largo plazo. A continuación, se desarrollan los elementos fundamentales de la Política de Desarrollo Urbano. (Ver Figura 31) 2.11.1.1. Principios en que se fundamenta Los principios contemplan las reglas, ideas, conceptos de diseño o de valores, que orientan la acción del ser humano; son parte de la organización o del territorio sobre la que se basará el planteamiento. Se trata de normas de carácter general y universales, por ejemplo: respetar la vida de las personas y actuar con transparencia.

2.11.1.2. Normativa por considerar en la Política En este apartado se realiza el listado de las leyes, decretos ejecutivos y cualquier otra norma del ordenamiento jurídico costarricense que enmarcan el alcance de la propuesta. La normativa incorpora objetivos fundamentales y una serie de compromisos que deben tomarse y traducirse en el planeamiento y la ejecución de las acciones estratégicas de manera sistémica e integral.

2.11.1.3. Objetivos de Desarrollo Urbano Los Objetivos de Desarrollo Urbano responden a los hallazgos (potencialidades, limitantes, necesidades e impactos territoriales), identificados del Diagnóstico Territorial En la determinación de estos Objetivos se deben tomar en consideración los aportes realizados por diversos actores sociales vinculados al Área de Planificación, con el fin de velar porque el interés general sea plasmado en la Política de Desarrollo Urbano.

El objetivo general de la Política busca generar un impacto en el mediano y largo plazo, donde el problema central se convierte en el objetivo general o propósito, que representa un cambio en los actores afectados. Los objetivos por eje son objetivos específicos para atender o solucionar los problemas.

Por otra parte, los objetivos se deben redactar con un verbo en infinitivo que demuestre la intención de mejora una situación actual, o los que crean una situación nueva o condiciones diferentes.

Deben ser específicos, medibles, alcanzables, realistas y a tiempo.

2.11.1.4. Acciones Estratégicas Las Acciones Estratégicas son los actos u operaciones que se planifican para realizar un objetivo, se deben tomar en cuenta factores identificados en el Diagnóstico para desarrollar diferentes alternativas de soluciones que posteriormente serían definidas en Acciones Estratégicas de orden competitivo, funcionales o de imagen y servicio, lo anterior con el fin de lograr llevar a cabo con éxito los objetivos planteados en la Política de Desarrollo Urbano.

2.11.1.5. Horizonte temporal El Horizonte Temporal permite al gobierno local establecer metas a corto, mediano y largo plazo, asegurando que las políticas sean flexibles y adaptables a los cambios y desafíos que puedan surgir con el tiempo, sin perder de vista la visión integral y coherente del desarrollo del territorio.

Este define el plazo para alcanzar los Objetivos de Desarrollo Urbano establecidos en el Plan Regulador, recomendándose que dicho Plan no exceda un periodo de veinte años a partir de su publicación.

Para garantizar su vigencia y pertinencia, se recomienda elaborar un plan de acción, como instrumento para operativizar los lineamientos y alcanzar los objetivos, y que este sea actualizado periódicamente cada quinquenio.

El plazo para cumplir con los Objetivos de Desarrollo Urbano establecidos en la Política de Desarrollo Urbano del Plan Regulador no está definido en la Ley de Planificación Urbana, Ley N.°4240, ya que esta normativa no establece un plazo mínimo ni máximo para la vigencia de dicho instrumento. Sin embargo, de acuerdo con el Reglamento General del Sistema Nacional de Planificación, Decreto Ejecutivo N.°37735, en sus artículos 9, 10, 11, 12 y 13, se definen plazos de los instrumentos de planificación a nivel nacional, sectorial e institucional, mismos que se indican a continuación:

 A nivel nacional, se contempla una visión a largo plazo de periodos no menores a 20 años, como lo es el caso del Plan Estratégico Nacional (PEN), mismo que debe ser actualizado cada 5 años.

 A nivel sectorial, se contempla una visión a mediano plazo, para periodos no menores a 5 años, como lo es el caso de los Planes Nacionales Sectoriales (PNS) y los Planes Regionales de Desarrollo (PRD).

 A nivel institucional, se contempla una visión a mediano o largo plazo, para periodos no menores a 5 años, como lo es el caso de los Planes Estratégicos Institucionales (PEI).

Estos plazos son utilizados como referencia para el diseño y la ejecución de políticas y proyectos urbanos, lo que sugiere que, aunque no exista un plazo específico en la Ley de Planificación Urbana, Ley N.°4240, para la Política de Desarrollo Urbano del Plan Regulador, la práctica común dentro de los marcos de planificación es seguir un enfoque temporal similar, con horizontes a corto, mediano y largo plazo para garantizar la continuidad y sostenibilidad del desarrollo urbano.

Por lo anterior, es importante prever que el Horizonte Temporal del Plan Regulador se articule con otros instrumentos de planificación cantonal, como el Plan de Desarrollo Cantonal o Municipal, el Plan Cantonal de Desarrollo Humano Local (PCDHL), el Plan Estratégico Municipal (PEM), el Plan Vial Quinquenal de Conservación y Desarrollo, el Plan Anual Operativo (PAO) y el Plan Municipal para la Gestión Integral de Residuos, entre otros.

La integración de estos instrumentos es clave para procurar un enfoque armonizado en la toma de decisiones. De esta forma, el horizonte temporal no solo cumple la función de establecer un marco temporal claro, sino que también contribuye a una planificación integral y efectiva del territorio, considerando las dinámicas locales y los objetivos a largo plazo.

Con el propósito de ofrecer una orientación clara y práctica a los Gobiernos Municipales en la formulación de la Política de Desarrollo Urbano, requisito fundamental para la elaboración de los Planes Reguladores según lo establecido en la Ley de Planificación Urbana, Ley N.°4240, el INVU recomienda consultar la "Guía para la Elaboración de la Política de Desarrollo Urbano"; así como las guías que en la materia publique MIDEPLAN.

Dicha Guía corresponde es un documento complementario al MAPRIOT y constituye una herramienta técnica y metodológica diseñada para orientar a las municipalidades en el diseño de la Política, promoviendo acciones concretas que, bajo un enfoque de gestión para resultados, impulsen la generación de valor público y el bienestar de la población.

2.11.2. Reglamentos de Desarrollo Urbano El artículo primero de la Ley de Planificación Urbana establece que los Reglamentos de Desarrollo Urbano son conjuntos normativos que las municipalidades adoptan con el propósito de ejecutar su Plan Regulador.

En concordancia con ello, el artículo 15 de esa Ley señala que la facultad y autoridad de los gobiernos locales para la planificación y control del desarrollo urbano de su jurisdicción, derecho reconocido en el artículo 169 de la Constitución, se materializa mediante la implementación del Plan Regulador y sus correspondientes Reglamentos de Desarrollo Urbano. A través de estos últimos se establecen las directrices necesarias para cumplir con el Plan Regulador, priorizando siempre la salud, seguridad, comodidad y protección de los bienes de la población.

El artículo 21, por su parte, detalla los cinco Reglamentos de Desarrollo Urbano que deben integrarse en un Plan Regulador, junto con su objetivo principal:

 Reglamento de Zonificación, para definir los usos del suelo.

 Reglamento de Fraccionamiento y Urbanización, relacionado con la división y habilitación urbana de los terrenos.

 Reglamento de Mapa Oficial, enfocado en la provisión y conservación de los espacios destinados a vías públicas y áreas comunitarias.

 Reglamento de Renovación Urbana, concerniente a la mejora o rehabilitación de zonas en proceso de deterioro o degradadas.

 Reglamento de Construcciones, referido a las normativas para obras de edificación.

Sobre la naturaleza normativa de los Planes Reguladores y los Reglamentos de Desarrollo Urbano, la Procuraduría General de la República en su dictamen N.°C-456-2007 del 20 de diciembre de 2007, señala que son de índole reglamentaria, y por tanto, en el ejercicio de dicha potestad, las Municipalidades deben respetar los principios que puedan derivarse de las leyes con rango superior, según la jerarquía de las fuentes del ordenamiento administrativo que establece el artículo 6° de la Ley General de la Administración Pública; es decir, los Planes Reguladores deben ser conformes con lo dispuesto en la Leyes de la República que tengan relación con la materia que estos abarcan.

"Por consiguiente, los planes reguladores y los reglamentos de desarrollo urbano, en razón de encontrarse en una posición inferior a los reglamentos ejecutivos según el orden jerárquico de las fuentes normativas del derecho administrativo, se hallan subordinados a aquellos, no pudiendo modificarlos, sustituirlos o desplazarlos en su aplicación respecto de un supuesto fáctico que encuentre efectos jurídicos contradictorios en dos o más normas de ambos tipos de reglamentos.

Sin embargo, la situación descrita ha de ser atemperada por el criterio de especialidad, bajo la inteligencia de que existen competencias que por la materia (artículo 60.1 LGAP) le corresponden en forma exclusiva a ciertos órganos del poder ejecutivo, en razón de una especialidad técnico- jurídica dada por ley. Noción a la que están sujetas las normas urbanísticas, de modo que las disposiciones especiales deben ser comprendidas dentro de los contenidos de los planes reguladores y los reglamentos de desarrollo urbano.

Ahora bien, lo dicho no significa que el poder ejecutivo pueda desconocer la potestad normativa que en esta materia poseen las municipalidades. Antes bien, debe evitar cualquier intromisión ilegítima que afecte el ejercicio de esta competencia. Es decir, que tanto el poder ejecutivo como los entes descentralizados (en el caso que nos ocupa, las municipalidades) deben respetar la materia que por mandato legal le compete a cada uno normar. En tal sentido, los reglamentos que dicta el poder ejecutivo para regular las materias que por razones de especialidad le han sido otorgadas legal o constitucionalmente, tiene rango superior a los reglamentos municipales (planes reguladores)." Adicionalmente, se recalca que los Reglamentos de Desarrollo Urbano solo pueden ser aprobados y divulgados por medio de un Plan Regulador, conforme a lo establecido en la Ley de Planificación Urbana en su artículo 15, disposición que ha sido ratificada por la Procuraduría General de la República en los dictámenes N.°C-034-2021, del 11 de febrero del 2021, N.°C-210-2022, del 28 de setiembre de 2022 y N.°C-007-2024, del 30 de enero de 2024; su texto se cita en el numeral 1.5 de este Manual.

A continuación, se detallan los aspectos mínimos que deben contener cada uno de los Reglamentos de Desarrollo Urbano, en estricto apego del contenido de la Ley de Planificación Urbana. (Ver Figura 32) 2.11.2.1. Reglamento de Zonificación Es el reglamento de desarrollo urbano de alcance local que divide el área planificada en zonas específicas de uso, regulando aspectos como el uso del suelo agrícola, industrial, comercial, residencial. Para lo cual el reglamento debe:

 Categorizar y ubicar en el área de planificación, las distintas zonas de uso del suelo: agrícola, industrial, comercial, residencial, público, u otros. Adicionalmente, esta información debe estar dispuesta en tabla o elementos simulares.

 Clasificar las zonas residenciales en unifamiliares y multifamiliares, asociado al cálculo de densidad u otros métodos que regulen la intensidad del uso del suelo.

 Fijar las restricciones urbanísticas para cada una de las zonas: área y frente mínimo, altura, área de piso o área de construcción, retiros, cobertura.

 Establecer las características, tamaño y ubicación de publicidad.

 Identificar las zonas que se reserven para usos y desarrollos especiales, como aeropuertos, sitios con valor histórico, áreas de conservación ambiental y las que generen peligrosidad por amenazas naturales.

 Identificar las áreas a ser intervenidas a través de los lineamientos del Reglamento de Renovación Urbana.

 Elaborar los mapas, elementos gráficos y diagramáticos que complementen el texto dispositivo para cada zona.

 Establecer el requerimiento de contar con el certificado de uso de suelo cuando se pretenda dar aprovechamiento a un predio, precisando cuáles son los usos permitidos.

 Definir las condiciones y requisitos para los usos conformes, no conformes, condicionales y prohibidos.

 Delimitar los cuadrantes de ciudad y urbanos, para efectos de la cesión de área para uso público; se aclara que esta identificación no responde a una zona de uso.

2.11.2.2. Reglamento de Fraccionamiento y Urbanizaciones Es el reglamento de desarrollo urbano de alcance local que establece en el área planificada las condiciones municipales para autorizar fraccionamientos y urbanizaciones, incluyendo requisitos de acceso a vías públicas, alineamiento y amanzanamiento, así como la cesión de áreas para uso público. Para lo cual el reglamento debe:

 Exigir como condiciones para permitir operaciones de fraccionamientos y urbanizaciones, contar con adecuado acceso a calle pública.

 Establecer disposiciones para la lotificación y el amanzanamiento.

 Regular la cesión de áreas para uso público por concepto de fraccionamientos con fines urbanísticos, urbanizaciones y conjuntos residenciales.

 Requerir la disponibilidad de servicios públicos indispensables para autorizar fraccionamientos y urbanizaciones.

 Regular las dimensiones y características de derechos de vía que enfrenten las propiedades a fraccionar, así como en proyectos de urbanización.

 Señalar el requerimiento del visado municipal para el fraccionamiento de predios, así como las modalidades de fraccionar donde se deba gestionar el visado previo del INVU.

 Determinar las modalidades de fraccionamientos que se admiten en el área a planificar, según su ubicación respecto de los cuadrantes urbanos y áreas previamente urbanizadas. El fraccionamiento simple se realiza dentro de esos cuadrantes de un área previamente urbanizada y no deben ceder área para uso público; el fraccionamiento con fines urbanísticos se realiza fuera de cuadrante de ciudad o de un área previamente urbanizada, y debe ceder área para uso público.

 Definir el porcentaje a ceder al uso público, para fraccionamientos y urbanizaciones, según su tipo, entre 5% y 20%.

 Distribuir el porcentaje del área a ceder en juegos infantiles, parques y facilidades comunales, en ese orden de prioridad.

 Asignar la tercera parte del área a ceder al uso público a parques; un tercio de esta, que nunca debe ser menor a 10.00 m² por lote o unidad habitacional, debe ser asignado a juegos infantiles. Los dos tercios restantes deben reservarse a facilidades comunales.

 Ceder al uso público un máximo del 45% del área a urbanizar en proyectos de urbanización, contemplando la sumatoria de calles públicas, juegos infantiles, parques y facilidades comunales.

 Regular el traspaso las áreas de uso público, incluidas las calles, a favor del dominio municipal.

 Determinar las condiciones en que deben ser entregas al gobierno local las áreas públicas producto de fraccionamientos o urbanizaciones; las áreas de juegos infantiles deben entregarse totalmente acondicionadas, enzacatadas y con el equipo requerido instalado.

 Hacer referencia que los proyectos de urbanización deben contar con la aprobación del INVU, del ICAA, del Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos de Costa Rica y del MINSA de conformidad con el Reglamento para el Trámite de Revisión de los Planos para la Construcción, Decreto Ejecutivo N.°36550-MP-MIVAH-S-MEIC, sus reformas o la normativa que lo sustituya.

 Fijar la potestad y obligación municipal de denegar permisos para urbanizar predios, si el desarrollo se considera prematuro por no contar con facilidades y servicios públicos, o por su ubicación alejada de otras áreas habitadas; si la persona urbanizadora se compromete a costear las obras fuera de propiedad para ofrecer los servicios necesarios, los proyectos con estas características deben ser aceptados para su análisis por parte de la municipalidad respetiva y el INVU.

 Establecer el requerimiento de una garantía de cumplimiento a la persona desarrolladora, si el gobierno municipal tiene la anuencia de autorizar un proyecto de urbanización sin que las obras se den por concluidas, que se hace efectiva si 5 años después de la aprobación de los planos constructivos, si no se ejecutan las obras. 2.11.2.3. Reglamento de Construcciones Es el reglamento de desarrollo urbano de alcance local que establece en el área planificada las normas específicas para garantizar la seguridad, salubridad y ornato de las estructuras o edificaciones, en complemento a otras normativas vigentes en el ámbito de la construcción. Para lo cual el reglamento debe:

 Regular los conceptos básicos y requisitos mínimos en la planificación y construcción de edificaciones y obras de infraestructura urbana, en el diseño de arquitectura e ingeniería.

 Observar lo dispuesto en la Ley de Construcciones, Ley N.°833; si bien no es la norma de la que se origina el Reglamento de Construcciones, si es la mayor jerarquía en la materia.

 Establecer el requerimiento del permiso de construcción otorgado por la municipalidad respectiva, para toda obra constructiva a realizarse, según las restricciones urbanísticas aplicables: alineamientos, retiros, cobertura, altura, densidad.

 Mantener congruencia con las regulaciones de alto rango jerárquico en la materia, como leyes de la República, Decretos Ejecutivos, estatutos, reglamentos de entes descentralizados y demás normas subordinadas a los reglamentos; deben ser referenciados en el contenido del Plan Regulador, al tener su aplicación alcance nacional.

2.11.2.4. Reglamento de Mapa Oficial Es el reglamento de desarrollo urbano de alcance local que regula en el área planificada las normas para la reserva, adquisición, uso y conservación de áreas destinadas a vías, parques, plazas, edificios y otros usos comunales, indicando su localización y tamaño, tanto de las áreas ya entregadas al servicio público como de las designadas de forma preventiva. Para lo cual el reglamento debe:

 Establecer disposiciones sobre las áreas necesarias para vías, parques, plazas, edificios y demás usos comunales, incluyendo aquellas asociadas a reservas, adquisición, uso y conservación.

 Identificar la localización y dimensión de las áreas ya entregadas al dominio público, así como aquellas que se prevé sean destinadas al mismo.

 Indicar que la administración y el mantenimiento de los terrenos públicos identificados en el Mapa Oficial, es responsabilidad de la municipalidad, que puede autorizar que determinadas porciones de esas áreas sean administradas directamente por entidades estatales.

2.11.2.5. Reglamento de Renovación Urbana Es el reglamento de desarrollo urbano de alcance local que establece en el área planificada las regulaciones para intervenir y regularizar asentamientos irregulares e informales, rehabilitar o remodelar áreas urbanas deterioradas, defectuosas o en decadencia, así conservar y evitar el deterioro de la que ese encuentren en estado óptimo. Aborda problemas como parcelación inadecuada, deficiencias en edificaciones, carencia de servicios y facilidades comunales, condiciones adversas a la seguridad, salubridad y bienestar de la comunidad. Para lo cual el reglamento debe:

 Fijar las normas que deben adoptarse para conservar, rehabilitar o remodelar las áreas urbanas disfuncionales, cuando su intervención se considere estratégica para los gobiernos municipales o el Estado.

 Incluir las áreas a ser mejoradas que componen el programa de renovación urbana, a través de los lineamientos de este reglamento en el Mapa de Zonificación, como una superposición.

 Indicar las restricciones para fraccionar y construir que recaen sobre las Áreas de Renovación Urbana; estas quedan en firme por 5 años desde el momento que se oficializa el programa de renovación con la promulgación del Plan Regulador. De no alcanzarse la intervención de renovación urbana en ese plazo, a los predios afectados se les deben aplicar los requisitos por zona, según su ubicación y parámetros definidos en el Reglamento de Zonificación.

 Definir los mecanismos y lineamientos normativos para abrir y cerrar calles, así como rectificar su trazado, en el marco de la renovación urbana.

 Disponer para reajuste de terrenos, cuando se requiera, un convenio marco entre las partes involucradas, precisando aspectos como su reubicación, traslado a otra área y compensaciones de dinero o especie.

 Regular cada instrumento de gestión de suelo e incentivo que se pretenda instaurar n el marco de la renovación urbana, de modo que las disposiciones asociadas a su aplicación sean fijadas por medio del Plan Regulador.

2.11.2.6. Otros Reglamentos Como se indicó, los cinco Reglamentos que cita el artículo 21 de la Ley de Planificación Urbana constituyen los cuerpos normativos básicos que debe integrar todo Plan Regulador. Sin embargo, en el marco de este instrumento, se pueden incluir otros reglamentos complementarios, sin perjuicio de lo que estipulan la Ley de Planificación Urbana y otras regulaciones de alcance nacional, como las que se citan a continuación:

 Vialidad y movilidad: Ley de Construcciones, Ley N.º833, Ley General de Caminos Públicos, Ley N.º5060, Ley de Administración Vial, Ley N.°6324, Ley de Tránsito por Vías Públicas Terrestres y Seguridad Vial, Ley N.°9078, Ley de Instalación de Estacionamientos (Parquímetros), Ley N.°3580, Ley Especial para la Transferencia de Competencias Atención Plena y Exclusiva de la Red Vial Cantonal, Ley N.°9329 y su Reglamento, Decreto Ejecutivo N.º40137-MOPT; Ley de Movilidad y Seguridad Ciclística, Ley N.°9660, y su Reglamento, Decreto Ejecutivo N.°42111-MOPT-H-MEP; Ley de Movilidad Peatonal, Ley N.°9976.

 Espacio público: Ley de Construcciones, Ley N.º 833, Ley de Igualdad de Oportunidades para las Personas con Discapacidad, Ley N.°7600, y su Reglamento, Decreto Ejecutivo N.°26831-MP-MEP; Ley de Movilidad Peatonal, Ley N.°9976.

 Publicidad exterior: Ley de Construcciones, Ley N.º 833, Reglamento de los Derechos de Vía y Publicidad Exterior, Decreto Ejecutivo N.º 29253-MOPT  Patrimonio arquitectónico e intangible: Ley del Patrimonio Histórico-Arquitectónico de Costa Rica, Ley N.º 7555.

 Gestión de Residuos: Ley Orgánica del Ambiente, Ley N.°7554; Ley para la Gestión Integral de Residuos, Ley N.º 8839, y su Reglamento, Decreto Ejecutivo N.°37567-SMINAET-H; Ley General de Salud, Ley N.°5395; Reglamento de Aprobación de Sistemas de Tratamiento de Aguas Residuales, Decreto Ejecutivo N.°39887-S-MINAE y el Reglamento de Vertido y Reúso de Aguas Residuales N.°3601-MINAE-S.

 Patentes: Ley General de la Administración Pública, Ley N.°6227, Código Municipal, Ley N.°7794.

 Paisaje: Ley Orgánica del Ambiente, Ley N.º 7554, Ley General de Salud, N.º 5395, Ley Forestal, Ley N.º 7575, Ley de Aguas, N.º 276; Ley de Biodiversidad, Ley N.°7788.

2.11.2.7. Consideraciones adicionales En este apartado se sugieren temáticas que pueden ser incluidas dentro de las regulaciones antes citadas, según su naturaleza, siempre dentro del marco del cumplimiento de las disposiciones que comprenden el ordenamiento jurídico nacional.

 Régimen de Propiedad en Condominio La Ley Reguladora de la Propiedad en Condominio, Ley N.°7933, y su Reglamento, Decreto Ejecutivo N.°32303-MIVAH-MEIC-TUR, regulan lo relacionado al régimen de propiedad en condominio en nuestro país; si bien su contenido no responde a la materia que abarcan los Reglamentos de Desarrollo Urbano que debe poseer todo Plan Regulador, se pueden incluir dentro del instrumento disposiciones locales asociadas a la gestión de proyectos bajo esa naturaleza, cumpliendo la norma de mayor jerarquía. El artículo 35 de la Ley citada señala que cuando se someta un inmueble a este régimen de propiedad deberá construirse según las normas que exijan las leyes respectivas. En esa línea, conviene resaltar que según el dictamen N.°C-114-2018 de la PGR, "la propiedad en condominio es un régimen especial o forma de organizar la propiedad privada sobre un conjunto de bienes, en el cual cada propietario ejerce un derecho de propiedad exclusivo sobre una unidad delimitada o privativa, y un derecho de copropiedad sobre las áreas de uso común". De igual manera, el dictamen N.°C-313-2005 de la misma instancia indica que el concepto de condominio hace referencia a un régimen jurídico de propiedad a que pueden ser sometidos los bienes inmuebles, no a un uso de dichos bienes.

Por tanto, y en observancia del artículo 52 del Decreto Ejecutivo N.°32303, cuando se gestione un inmueble bajo dicho régimen, debe acatarse la normativa que se tenga vigente, atinente a la materia, según la naturaleza del inmueble, lo que incluye el cumplimiento de las restricciones urbanísticas fijadas en el Plan Regulador para cada zona.

 Desarrollo Orientado al Transporte La estrategia denominada Desarrollo Orientado al Transporte (DOT), plantea una planificación urbana enfocada en generar un mejor acceso a los servicios de transporte público, dirigiendo a tal fin el desarrollo residencial, comercial y de servicios, la eficiencia y sostenibilidad en el uso del suelo. El DOT promueve comunidades compactas y de uso mixto, de manera que se integren entre sí la mayor cantidad de modos y medios de transporte posibles y su infraestructura conexa, consolidando la intermodalidad. El DOT puede incorporarse como estrategia en la elaboración de Planes Reguladores mediante la planificación de usos del suelo que fomenten la densificación urbana y la mezcla de actividades cerca de corredores de transporte público. Esto implica priorizar el diseño de ciudades compactas y accesibles, donde la vivienda, los comercios, los servicios públicos y los espacios recreativos estén ubicados en áreas estratégicas conectadas por infraestructura de transporte sostenible, como trenes, autobuses y ciclovías.

Además, el DOT puede suscitar la reducción del uso del automóvil privado, mejorando la calidad del aire y reduciendo las emisiones de carbono, lo que está alineado con los objetivos nacionales de sostenibilidad. Implementar esta estrategia requiere la integración de actores municipales, sectoriales y comunitarios, así como una adecuada regulación del desarrollo urbano que garantice el acceso equitativo al transporte público y la preservación de áreas naturales.

 Gestión del riesgo de desastre y la acción climática En el proceso de elaboración de Planes Reguladores se recomienda integrar la gestión del riesgo de desastre y la acción climática como ejes transversales del desarrollo territorial. Esto implica identificar las áreas vulnerables a inundaciones, deslizamientos, sequías y otros fenómenos asociados al cambio climático, y establecer medidas que minimicen los riesgos para las comunidades. La planificación debe promover el uso sostenible del suelo, respetando zonas de protección ambiental y asegurando que los nuevos proyectos cuenten con infraestructura resiliente. Asimismo, es necesario incluir estrategias de mitigación y adaptación al cambio climático, como la promoción de sistemas de drenaje eficientes, la incorporación de energía renovable en el diseño urbano y la implementación de soluciones basadas en la naturaleza. La integración de estos aspectos no solo protege a la población, sino que también garantiza un desarrollo más seguro, sostenible y alineado con los compromisos internacionales de Costa Rica en materia climática. En ese sentido, el presente manual pone a disposición para consulta y referencial la Guía para la Integración de la Gestión del Riesgo de Desastre y la Acción Climática en los Planes Reguladores Cantonales.

Se aclara además que es posible el uso de metodologías y enfoques innovadores en el abordaje y elaboración de Planes Reguladores, diferentes a lo establecido en el presente Manual, siempre que se rijan en primera instancia por las disposiciones que determina la Ley de Planificación Urbana, en respeto de las demás regulaciones que comprende el marco jurídico nacional en la materia.

2.11.3. Atlas Cartográfico de la Propuesta del Plan Regulador Los elementos gráficos que conforman el Atlas Cartográfico de la Propuesta, donde se organizan y representan gráficamente las disposiciones del Plan Regulador son: Mapa de Zonificación, Mapa de Vialidad, y Mapa Oficial. Para su elaboración se recomienda ajustarse a las especificaciones de la "Guía para la Elaboración de Cartografía de Planes Reguladores". Para los mapas del Atlas Cartográfico se requiere utilizar como mínimo el tamaño de hoja "Tabloide", correspondiente a medidas de 432mm de largo por 279mm de ancho, en donde se determina el uso adecuado para la representación de la información de manera detallada y comprensible. (Ver Figura 33) A continuación, se detalla el contenido correspondiente a los mapas:

 Mapa de Zonificación: Representación cartográfica de la propuesta del Área de Planificación que delimita y clasifica las distintas zonas definidas en el Plan Regulador, de acuerdo con los usos permitidos y las normas específicas que les correspondan. Este mapa regula el uso de los predios, edificios y estructuras para fines agrícolas, industriales, comerciales, residenciales según la intensidad del uso, así como para usos públicos y otros que resulten pertinentes.

 Mapa de Vialidad: Representación cartográfica de la propuesta del Plan Regulador para el Área de Planificación que detalla la clasificación existente de la Red Vial Nacional, compuesta por carreteras primarias, secundarias, terciarias y de acceso restringido, así como la Red Vial Cantonal, integrada por caminos vecinales, calles locales y caminos no clasificados. Asimismo, incorpora la proyección de las nuevas vías propuestas.

 Mapa Oficial: Representación cartográfica del Área de Planificación que determina con exactitud la localización y el tamaño de las áreas destinadas a vías, parques, plazas y servicios comunales, tanto las ya entregadas al servicio público como las reservadas para tales fines.

2.12. ETAPA 7: AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA DEL PLAN REGULADOR La Audiencia Pública constituye un acto administrativo, legal y político, esta se enmarca en lo dispuesto en el artículo 169 de la Constitución Política, que define que la administración de los intereses y servicios locales en cada cantón estará a cargo del Gobierno Municipal; así como lo establecido en el artículo 5 del Código Municipal, Ley N.°7794, que aborda la participación ciudadana en decisiones del gobierno local.

"ARTÍCULO 5. - Las municipalidades fomentarán la participación activa, consciente y democrática del pueblo en las decisiones del gobierno local.

Las instituciones públicas estarán obligadas a colaborar para que estas decisiones se cumplan debidamente".

Asimismo, para efectos de la implementación de un Plan Regulador, el artículo 17 de la Ley de Planificación Urbana, Ley N.°4240, establece los requisitos que deben cumplir las municipalidades para implantar, de forma parcial o total un Plan Regulador. El primer requisito corresponde a la convocatoria a Audiencia Pública.

"ARTÍCULO 17. Previamente a implantar un plan regulador o alguna de sus partes, deberá la municipalidad que lo intenta:

• 1)Convocar a una audiencia pública por medio del Diario Oficial y divulgación adicional necesaria con la indicación de local, fecha y hora para conocer del proyecto y de las observaciones verbales o escritas que tengan a bien formular los vecinos o interesados.

El señalamiento deberá hacerse con antelación no menor de quince días hábiles (...)" La Sala Constitucional en la Sentencia N.°6653-2000 del 28 de julio del 2000, define que la audiencia pública constituye una manifestación del principio democrático y que la misma debe efectuarse de previo a la toma de la decisión administrativa.

"La audiencia pública que en casos como el presente se realiza por parte de los entes municipales, tiene por objeto permitir el ejercicio del derecho a la participación de la comunidad en un asunto que le afecta directamente y que, en consecuencia, debe efectuarse con anterioridad a la toma de la decisión administrativa, constituyéndose así en una manifestación del principio democrático.

Como consecuencia, este tipo de audiencias no se constituyen simplemente en parte de un procedimiento que por formalidad deba programarse, de manera que se pueda fijar de forma que haga nugatorio el ejercicio del derecho que pretende tutelar, al otorgarse en condiciones que se convierta en una mera formalidad, incapaz de alcanzar los objetivos que está llamada a obtener en protección del derecho a la información y participación ciudadana, aunque ciertamente tampoco debe llegar a constituirse en un obstáculo para que se emita una oportuna resolución de la gestión". (Sentencia No. 6653-2000 de 28 de julio del 2000). (Subrayado del texto no corresponde al original) Por su parte la sentencia N.°09253-2008 del 04 de junio del 2008 reitera que, la audiencia pública prevista en el artículo 17 de la Ley de Planificación Urbana, tiene como propósito promover y fomentar la participación ciudadana en la toma de decisiones, y es un requisito legal de cumplimiento obligatorio.

"(...) la audiencia pública prevista en el procedimiento de elaboración de los planes reguladores locales constituye un requisito legal de acatamiento obligatorio, que por estar ligado al ejercicio del derecho a la participación de la comunidad en un asunto que le afecta directamente, debe efectuarse con anterioridad a la toma de la decisión administrativa". (Sentencia N.°09253-2008 del 04 de junio del 2008)

Como se puede apreciar, la celebración de una audiencia pública, más que un requisito formal, constituye una verdadera oportunidad de apertura y transparencia para que los vecinos, a los cuales pueda beneficiarles o afectarles la implementación del Plan Regulador, lo conozcan con antelación y puedan presentar, si es del caso, sus observaciones u objeciones al mismo.

La regulación vinculante busca promover la transparencia y facilitar la participación ciudadana en los procesos de toma de decisiones. Asimismo, garantiza que cualquier ciudadano que se oponga a la adopción de un Plan Regulador o a alguno de sus Reglamentos pueda presentar sus objeciones, tal como se estipula en el artículo 23 de la Ley de Planificación Urbana.

"Artículo 23.- El vecino, propietario o cualquier otra persona, que se oponga al proyecto que tienda a adoptar un plan regulador o alguno de sus reglamentos, tendrá oportunidad de exponer sus objeciones en la audiencia pública que previene el inciso 1) del artículo 17. Por lo demás, cualquier persona inconforme que invoque ilegalidad y perjuicio propio contra el acto o disposición administrativa que sea, podrá usar todos los recursos que la ley le brinda".

En cuanto a los plazos otorgados para la recepción de sugerencias u oposiciones de los vecinos, la Procuraduría General de la Republica en el Dictamen N.°C-132-2008 del 23 de abril de 2008 señala:

"Las observaciones u objeciones de vecinos a un proyecto de plan regulador deben darse dentro de la audiencia pública a que se refiere el artículo 17, inciso 1), de la Ley de Planificación Urbana, por lo que la Municipalidad no debe otorgar plazos adicionales fuera de aquella para recibir nuevas sugerencias u oposiciones de los vecinos" (Subrayado del texto no corresponde al original) 2.12.1. Reglamento de Audiencia Pública Este Reglamento tiene como objetivo establecer pautas claras y precisas para realizar la Audiencia Pública de la propuesta del Plan Regulador; tiene su sustento legal en los siguientes artículos del Código Municipal, Ley N.°7794.

"Artículo 4- La municipalidad posee la autonomía política, administrativa y financiera que le confiere la Constitución Política. Dentro de sus atribuciones se incluyen las siguientes:

• a)Dictar los reglamentos autónomos de organización y de servicio, así como cualquier otra disposición que autorice el ordenamiento jurídico.
• g)Convocar al municipio a consultas populares, para los fines establecidos en esta ley y su reglamento. (...)" "Artículo 13. - Son atribuciones del concejo: (...)
• c)Dictar los reglamentos de la Corporación, conforme a esta ley. (.)
• k)Acordar la celebración de plebiscitos, referendos y cabildos de conformidad con el reglamento que se elaborará con el asesoramiento del Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones, observando, en cuanto a la forma e implementación de estas consultas populares, lo preceptuado por la legislación electoral vigente".

Por su parte, el artículo 43 de la norma citada, define que las propuestas para modificar Reglamentos deben ser presentadas por quien figura en el puesto Alcaldía o una Regiduría; así como la entrada en vigor tras su publicación o en la fecha indicada.

Como se puede apreciar, la celebración de una audiencia pública, más que un requisito formal, constituye una verdadera oportunidad de apertura y transparencia para que los vecinos, a los cuales pueda Salvo el caso de los reglamentos internos, el Concejo mandará publicar el proyecto en La Gaceta y lo someterá a consulta pública no vinculante, por un plazo mínimo de diez días hábiles, luego del cual se pronunciará sobre el fondo del asunto.

Toda disposición reglamentaria deberá ser publicada en La Gaceta y regirá a partir de su publicación o de la fecha posterior indicada en ella.

La reglamentación de la Audiencia Pública es esencial para garantizar su correcta ejecución y legitimidad, ya que este mecanismo asegura la participación ciudadana en la elaboración de los Planes Reguladores.

Al definir criterios específicos para la convocatoria, organización y recepción de observaciones, se protege el derecho de la ciudadanía a ser informada y a participar activamente en decisiones que planifican su territorio. Además, un reglamento claro promueve la transparencia, coherencia administrativa y evita inconsistencias y arbitrariedades que puedan dar lugar a impugnaciones legales, en concordancia con las atribuciones municipales para dictar reglamentos autónomos, según los artículos 4 y 13 del Código Municipal.

A continuación, se presentan los contenidos básicos a incluir en el Reglamento de Audiencia Pública del Plan Regulador, con el fin de que el proceso sea participativo ordenado, accesible e inclusivo; que facilite la adecuada consulta y aporte ciudadano en la formulación, actualización y modificación del Plan.

 Fundamento legal  Leyes, reglamentos y jurisprudencia que respalde el proceso de audiencia pública y la promulgación del reglamento.

 Objeto y principios  Definición del propósito del reglamento y los principios aplicables en la audiencia pública, tales como publicidad, participación ciudadana, accesibilidad e inclusión.

 Lineamientos previos a la audiencia pública  Garantizar la realización de la audiencia en sesión extraordinaria del Concejo Municipal.

 Acceso a la documentación de la propuesta del Plan Regulador por medios digitales.

 Publicación y divulgación con 15 días de antelación de la convocatoria en el Diario Oficial La Gaceta y otros medios de comunicación, indicando lugar, fecha, hora; el enlace donde puede ser consultada la propuesta y posibles mecanismos de inscripción a la actividad de manera presencial y virtual.

 La municipalidad debe considerar la adopción de medidas efectivas para garantizar la plena participación de todos los sectores de la población.

 Modalidades de la audiencia  La audiencia pública debe de realizarse de manera presencial. Al tratarse de un espacio que corresponde a una sesión extraordinaria del Concejo Municipal debe ser transmitida en vivo a través de medios digitales, con el fin de resguardar la protección de los principios de publicidad y transparencia, tal como lo ha N.°22577-2024.

 La audiencia pública también debe de realizarse de manera virtual, garantizando la sincronización en tiempo real desde la sede presencial; para tales efectos se requiere definir un proceso de inscripción oficial de las personas que deseen participar de manera remota, garantizando el registro con al menos la siguiente información: nombre completo, número de identificación y correo electrónico, donde se remitirá el enlace de acceso.

 Lineamientos durante la audiencia pública  El reglamento de audiencia pública debe considerar aspectos durante la actividad tales como: hora habilitada para el ingreso al recinto, hora de inicio de la actividad, integrantes del concejo, comunicación de reglas indicando la agenda de la actividad, el tiempo de las intervenciones, exposición del proyecto, periodo de preguntas e intervención de los integrantes del concejo  Lineamientos posteriores a la audiencia publica  Posterior a la audiencia se deben considerar aspectos como el plazo y los medios habilitados para recibir observaciones adicionales, así como los mecanismos para su atención.

2.12.2. Realización de la Audiencia Pública Una vez reglamentado el procedimiento para la Audiencia Pública, es relevante destacar que el artículo 17 de la Ley de Planificación Urbana, establece como requisito inicial para la implementación de un Plan Regulador la convocatoria a una audiencia pública. Esta convocatoria debe publicarse en el Diario Oficial La Gaceta, especificando el lugar, fecha y hora en que se llevará a cabo, con al menos quince días hábiles de antelación. Esto se debe realizar sin perjuicio de cualquier divulgación adicional que se considere necesaria para garantizar una amplia participación ciudadana.

Durante la Audiencia Pública, se recomienda que la Secretaría del Concejo Municipal registre en actas todos los acontecimientos del evento, incluyendo el lugar, la fecha y la hora de inicio, asegurándose que estos datos coincidan con los señalados en la convocatoria publicada. Asimismo, es importante elaborar una lista de asistencia que recoja el nombre, número de cédula, lugar de residencia, información de contacto y otros datos relevantes de los participantes.

Con la finalidad de que los participantes en la Audiencia Pública puedan examinar la propuesta del Plan Regulador, es recomendable que el Equipo Planificador presente y explique todos los productos de la propuesta del Plan Regulador.

En relación con el principio de publicidad en el procedimiento de implementación del Plan Regulador, la Sala Constitucional, en la Sentencia N.°004250-2012, emitida a las 8:30 horas del 30 de marzo de 2012, establece que no existe un marco normativo específico que obligue a la publicación previa de la propuesta del Plan Regulador antes de la realización de la audiencia pública

"(...)la Ley de Planificación Urbana no exige que la propuesta de reforma sea publicada con anterioridad a la audiencia pública, pues uno de los objetivos de la misma es, precisamente, dar a conocer la propuesta (véase el voto Nº 2011-006163 de las nueve horas y cincuenta y cinco minutos del trece de mayo del dos mil once)".

Sin embargo, se subraya que, aunque no exista una exigencia normativa explícita para la publicación anticipada del Plan Regulador, el principio de publicidad sigue siendo esencial a lo largo de todo el proceso.

De este modo, la Sala Constitucional reafirma la necesidad de que el procedimiento, en su conjunto, sea transparente y permita a la ciudadanía acceder a la información de manera oportuna, durante las distintas etapas del trámite y antes de la aprobación final del plan. Lo anterior se reafirma en la Sentencia número 2002-03074 de las 15:24 horas del 02 de abril de 2002:

"Sobre el derecho a la información: El derecho a la información es uno de los derechos del ser humano y está referido a una libertad pública individual cuyo respeto debe ser propiciado por el propio Estado. Este derecho, es a la vez, un derecho social cuya tutela, ejercicio y respeto se hace indispensable para que el ciudadano tome parte activa en las tareas públicas y pueda así participar en la toma de decisiones que afectan a la colectividad. En ese sentido, es un derecho humano inalienable e indispensable en la medida en que se parte de que información significa participación.

De esta manera, si la información es requisito para que el ciudadano individualmente considerado adopte decisiones, informar, a la vez, es promover la participación ciudadana. (...)" 2.12.3. Recopilación de Observaciones Ciudadanas La recopilación de observaciones ciudadanas realizadas durante la Audiencia Pública es un paso clave para garantizar que el Plan Regulador refleje las inquietudes, aportes y perspectivas de la comunidad. Este proceso permite identificar sugerencias relevantes, aclarar dudas y atender mejoras a la propuesta, fortaleciendo la transparencia y la participación democrática en la toma de decisiones. Es fundamental asegurar que las observaciones sean tratadas con seriedad y consideración, de forma que se respete el derecho de la ciudadanía a participar.

Para gestionar estas observaciones de manera efectiva, se recomienda clasificar las aportaciones según su naturaleza, diferenciando entre sugerencias que se pueden incorporar directamente, aquellas que requieren un análisis más detallado y las que no son viables por motivos técnico o legales, explicando claramente las razones. Una vez identificadas, el Equipo Planificador, en coordinación con el Órgano Local de Planificación Territorial, debe evaluar cada observación y determinar si procede realizar modificaciones en la propuesta del Plan Regulador.

En el Pliego de Condiciones se debe definir el responsable de atender todas las observaciones recibidas y elaborar un informe consolidado que incluya cada observación planteada por las personas participantes a la Audiencia Publica junto con la respectiva respuesta, indicando si la sugerencia fue aceptada e integrada, si se desestimó y por qué, o si se requiere un análisis más exhaustivo.

Cuando las modificaciones realizadas a la propuesta del Plan Regulador tras la Audiencia Pública alteren significativamente su contenido, la Procuraduría General de la República, en el Dictamen N.°C-501-2006 del 20 de diciembre de 2006, indicó que la administración local tiene la potestad de convocar a una nueva Audiencia Pública para someter las modificaciones a consideración de los vecinos.

"Ahora bien, lo anteriormente dicho no impide que si una municipalidad estima que es necesario convocar a una nueva audiencia para someter a consideración de los vecinos un proyecto, que aunque ya había sido lo haga. Antes bien, esta es una decisión que compete adoptar a la administración local, y que forma parte del ejercicio de la potestad para ordenar el territorio, en tanto función pública."

(Dictamen C-501-2006 de 20 de diciembre del 2006). (Subrayado del texto no corresponde al original)

Este criterio se reafirma en el Dictamen N.°C-132-2008 del 23 de abril de 2008, que reconoce la posibilidad de realizar modificaciones a la propuesta del Plan Regulador posterior a la Audiencia Pública, incluyendo aquellas derivadas de observaciones ciudadanas o de nuevos elementos identificados después de dicho evento. En estos casos, se menciona que tales circunstancias pueden justificar la convocatoria a una nueva Audiencia Pública para socializar los cambios adoptados:

"La Municipalidad puede hacerle modificaciones a un proyecto de plan regulador con posterioridad a la audiencia pública realizada, ya sea que provengan de observaciones hechas por los vecinos durante ésta, o por elementos de juicio sobrevivientes que alertaran sobre la inconveniencia manifiesta o ilegalidad de uno o varios aspectos contenidos en el proyecto original; circunstancias bajo las cuales podría incluso hasta convocarse a una nueva audiencia pública para conocer de las modificaciones". (Subrayado del texto no corresponde al original) 2.12.4. Informe de Audiencia Pública El Informe de la Audiencia Pública constituye un documento fundamental para validar la realización efectiva de este mecanismo de participación, tal como lo establece el artículo 17 de la Ley de Planificación Urbana.

No solo evidencia el cumplimiento de los requisitos legales, sino que también sirve como respaldo técnico y administrativo que demuestra que se brindó a la ciudadanía la oportunidad de involucrarse en el proceso de planificación territorial. A continuación, se describen los elementos a incluir en el Informe de Audiencia Pública. (Ver Figura 34)  Datos generales de la Audiencia Pública  Fecha, hora y lugar de realización.

 Convocatoria en el Diario Oficial La Gaceta: Se debe incluir la evidencia donde se realizó la convocatoria a la Audiencia Pública con al menos quince días hábiles de antelación. En dicha convocatoria debe estar especificado el lugar, la fecha y la hora de la audiencia pública.

 Registro de la lista de asistencia, indicando nombres, cédulas y lugares de residencia de los participantes.

 Acta oficial de la sesión extraordinaria del Concejo Municipal de la Audiencia Publica  Resumen de la propuesta presentada  Descripción general de los componentes del Plan Regulador expuestos durante la audiencia.

 Materiales utilizados en la presentación, como mapas, gráficos y documentos informativos.

 Registro de observaciones ciudadanas  Relación de las observaciones planteadas, clasificadas según su naturaleza (sugerencias, dudas, oposiciones).

 Resumen de los principales puntos discutidos durante la audiencia.

 Análisis y valoración de las observaciones  Identificación de las observaciones aceptadas, justificando su inclusión en la propuesta del Plan Regulador.

 Justificación de las observaciones que no fueron viables de integrar, indicando los motivos técnicos, legales o administrativos.

 Acciones a seguir  Descripción de los ajustes realizados en la propuesta a partir de las observaciones aceptadas.

 Comunicación de las acciones pendientes, como la gestión de una nueva Audiencia Pública en caso de que los cambios realizados alteren significativamente la propuesta original, según lo establecido en los dictámenes N.°C-501-2006 y N.°C-132-2008 de la Procuraduría General de la República.

 Conclusiones  Declaración que valide la realización de la Audiencia Pública en conformidad con la normativa vigente.

 Recomendaciones finales dirigidas al Órgano Local de Planificación Territorial y al gobierno municipal para la continuidad del proceso de aprobación del Plan Regulador.

2.12.5. Consideraciones para Consulta a Pueblos Indígenas En aquellos cantones que incluyan Territorios Indígenas dentro de su jurisdicción, es fundamental garantizar el respeto y cumplimiento de los derechos de los pueblos indígenas, establecidos de acuerdo con la Ley de Aprobación del Convenio N.°169 Sobre Pueblos Indígenas y Tribales en Países Independientes, Ley N.°7316. Esta norma dispone que los pueblos indígenas tienen derecho a la consulta previa, libre e informada antes de cualquier acción administrativa o legislativa que pueda afectar sus derechos, territorios o modo de vida.

El Reglamento del Mecanismo General de Consulta a Pueblos Indígenas, Decreto Ejecutivo N.°40932-MPMJP, en su artículo 2 inciso a) y b), conceptualiza los Pueblos Indígenas y el Territorio Indígena de la siguiente manera:

"Artículo 2.- Definiciones. Las siguientes definiciones son derivadas del marco normativo vigente aplicable:

a. Pueblos indígenas. Se entenderá por pueblos indígenas, como aquellos colectivos constituidos por personas indígenas, descendientes directos de las civilizaciones precolombinas con identidad propia y cuyas condiciones sociales, culturales, económicas, espirituales y políticas, les distingan de otros sectores de la colectividad nacional. Los pueblos indígenas están regidos total o parcialmente por sus propias costumbres o tradiciones o bien por una legislación especial y, a su vez, conservan la totalidad o parte de sus propias instituciones sociales, económicas, espirituales, culturales y políticas. La conciencia de su identidad indígena deberá considerarse como un criterio fundamental para determinar los pueblos a los que se aplican las disposiciones del presente Mecanismo.

b. Territorio indígena: En sentido amplio, territorio indígena se entiende como, la propiedad colectiva de los pueblos indígenas que comprende las tierras y recursos naturales que han sido tradicionalmente ocupados o utilizados por los pueblos indígenas, sin reducirse a la delimitación político-administrativa de los mismos. (.)" La normativa supra citada establece que la consulta indígena debe realizarse de forma adecuada y oportuna, garantizando la participación activa de las comunidades a través de sus instituciones representativas. Según el artículo 3, inciso b), esta consulta debe comenzar en las fases iniciales de planificación, y no limitarse únicamente al momento en que se requiere obtener la aprobación formal por parte del pueblo indígena.

"Artículo 3. -Principios.

(.)

b. Carácter libre, previo e informado: Elementos esenciales e inherentes a todo proceso de consulta indígena, que representan la necesidad de incluir a los pueblos indígenas susceptibles de afectación, de forma:

I. libre, sea voluntaria y sin el uso de medidas coactivas al efecto; II. previa, lo antes posible en el proceso de formulación de una medida administrativa, proyecto de ley promovido por el Poder Ejecutivo o proyecto privado, es decir en las primeras etapas del plan y no únicamente cuando surja la necesidad de obtener la aprobación del pueblo indígena; e, lll. informada, como elemento que implica el conocimiento a cabalidad de los pueblos indígenas, sobre las características e implicaciones de la medida administrativa, proyecto de ley promovido por el Poder Ejecutivo o proyecto privado, en lenguaje y formato accesible y comprensible." En ese sentido la Sala Constitucional mediante la Sentencia N.°31756 de 2023, del 7 de diciembre de 2023 señaló que las consultas deben realizarse en un momento adecuado, antes de que se tomen decisiones definitivas sobre proyectos o iniciativas que puedan tener una afectación directa sobre los derechos de los pueblos indígenas:

"En lo conducente a este mismo tema, mediante el voto Nº2000-10075 de las 15:15 horas del 10 de noviembre de 2000, esta Sala dio respuesta a una solicitud de aclaración de la resolución N.°2000-8019, donde se profundizó en el alcance del artículo 15, del Convenio 169, al afirmar que si bien este instrumento no detalla cuál es el preciso momento para la realización de la consulta a las comunidades, (...) queda claro que la manera legítima para dar cumplimiento con el derecho de las comunidades indígenas de participar efectivamente, implica que la realización de la consulta debe darse en un momento previo a los actos de ejecución y en las formas más adecuadas al caso en concreto.(Sentencia N.°31756 de 2023, del 7 de diciembre de 2023)" (Subrayado del texto no corresponde al original) Cabe señalar que de acuerdo con el artículo 1 inciso e) del Decreto Ejecutivo N.°40932, se considera que un proyecto de ley, medida administrativa o iniciativa privada afecta los derechos de los pueblos indígenas cuando incorpora elementos que puedan modificar su situación jurídica, impactar sus derechos colectivos, alterar su forma de vida, cultura, espiritualidad o su dinámica social y organizativa.

Esta afectación no se limita únicamente a medidas que se ejecuten directamente dentro de los territorios indígenas, sino que también abarca aquellas acciones externas cuyo efecto conlleve una incidencia negativa en sus derechos culturales y colectivos.

Por su parte la Sentencia N.°032306-2024 del 01 de noviembre del 2024, de la Sala Constitucional, aborda de manera fundamental la participación de los pueblos indígenas en los procesos de consulta o audiencias públicas, subrayando la importancia de su inclusión activa en los procesos decisionales que puedan afectarles.

"(.) el objetivo de la consulta o audiencia pública es intentar lograr genuinamente, un acuerdo con las comunidades indígenas sobre medidas que las afecten directamente (esto es, normas políticas, planes, programas, etc.). Asimismo, se ha decantado que el principio de buena fe debe guiar la actuación de las partes, condición imprescindible para su entendimiento y confianza y por lo tanto para la eficacia de la consulta y que por medio de las consultas se debe asegurar una participación activa y efectiva de los pueblos interesados. Sobre este tópico la jurisprudencia ha explicado que el significado de la participación activa es que no pueda admitirse como tal a la simple notificación a los pueblos interesados o a la celebración de reuniones informativas. Que esa participación sea efectiva significa que el punto de vista de los pueblos debe tener incidencia en la decisión que adopten las autoridades concernidas. Es decir, que la consulta constituye un proceso de diálogo intercultural entre iguales, en el entendido de que, ni los pueblos indígenas tienen un derecho de veto que les permita bloquear decisiones estatales, ni el Estado tiene un derecho a la imposición sobre los pueblos indígenas para imponerles caprichosamente cualquier decisión, sino que opera un intercambio de razones entre culturas que tiene igual dignidad y valor constitucional".

(Subrayado del texto no corresponde al original) El Reglamento del Mecanismo General de Consulta a Pueblos Indígenas, Decreto Ejecutivo N.°40932-MPMJP, determina las funciones y acciones de las partes involucradas en el proceso, con el objetivo de garantizar la correcta representación de las partes interesadas en la consulta.

 Unidad Técnica de Consulta Indígena (UTCI): Es un Órgano del Ministerio de Justicia y Paz encargado de la gestión técnica y financiera de los procesos de Consulta Indígena; asegura el cumplimiento de los marcos legales, proporciona orientación, revisa y valida solicitudes y acuerdos, facilita el dialogo, monitorea el cumplimiento y resuelve disputas. Además, recibe y evalúa las solicitudes de consulta, notifica a la Instancia Territorial de Consulta Indígena (ITCI), valida el Plan de Consulta y el Pliego de Acuerdos, certifica el intercambio de información e interviene si hay riesgo de daño irreparable a los derechos indígenas.

 Instancia Territorial de Consulta Indígena (ITCI): Representa al territorio indígena en el proceso de consulta, lo organiza de acuerdo con las prácticas culturales respectivas, emite resoluciones sobre las solicitudes de consulta y facilita la resolución de conflictos; es elegida a lo interno de cada territorio indígena según sus normas y mecanismos de representación. Revisa, aprueba o se opone a las decisiones preliminares de la UTCI, organiza reuniones comunitarias, asegura la evaluación interna, comunica la posición de la comunidad y garantiza la rendición de cuentas.

 Contraparte Interesada: Corresponde a la Institución Pública o sujeto de Derecho Privado, interesada en llevar a cabo el proceso de Consulta a Pueblos Indígenas. Proporciona toda la información necesaria sobre proyecto, el plan regulador en este contexto; participa en diálogos y negociaciones, y cumple con los acuerdos y obligaciones legales. Es quien presenta la solicitud de consulta, comparte información, detallada del plan, participa en negociaciones y reporta sobre la implementación de los acuerdos.

 Observadores y Garantes: Son las organizaciones públicas o privadas, nacionales o internacionales, que solicitan formar parte por tener un interés directo en su debido cumplimiento, así como de la defensa de los derechos colectivos de los pueblos indígenas. Monitorean y apoyan el proceso, participan a solicitud de la UTCI o ITCI, observan los procedimientos y proporcionan retroalimentación según sea necesario.

La misma norma establece las ocho etapas que deben formar parte del procedimiento para realizar una consulta pública que involucre a un pueblo indígena; a continuación, se detallan:

 Solicitud de la Consulta: La entidad responsable del Plan Regulador ya sea directamente la municipalidad o el equipo planificador, debe presentar una solicitud formal a la Unidad Técnica de Consulta Indígena (UTCI) para iniciar el proceso de consulta. Debe incluir detalles de la propuesta, los pueblos indígenas y territorios afectados, los derechos colectivos que podrían ser impactados, y demás requisitos específicos definidos en el artículo 28 del Decreto, sus reformas o normativa que le sustituta.

Los pueblos indígenas también pueden solicitar la consulta si identifican un impacto potencial.

 Admisibilidad de la Solicitud de la Consulta: La UTCI revisa la solicitud en un plazo de 8 días hábiles para verificar que cumpla con todos los requisitos. Si falta información, se notifica al solicitante para que la corrija en 5 días hábiles. La UTCI informa a la Instancia Territorial de Consulta Indígena (ITCI) correspondiente, quien tiene 15 días hábiles para aprobar u oponerse a la categorización de la consulta.

 Acuerdos Preparatorios para la Consulta: Se realiza una primera reunión entre la UTCI, la ITCI y la Contraparte Interesada (entidad que propone el plan regulador), para acordar los detalles logísticos de la consulta, como fecha, lugar, financiamiento, interpretes, observadores, métodos de difusión de información y plazos para el análisis. Estos acuerdos se documentan en un "Plan de Consulta, que la UTCI valida en 8 días hábiles.

 Intercambio de Información: La Contraparte Interesada proporciona información completa y adecuada culturalmente sobre la propuesta del Plan Regulador, en español y en la lengua indígena correspondiente, incluyendo detalles completos, resúmenes y materiales educativos. Los pueblos indígenas pueden compartir información sobre su cultura y preocupaciones relacionadas con el Plan.

 Evaluación Interna del Pueblo Indígena: La comunidad indígena, a través de su ITCI, realiza una evaluación interna de la propuesta del Plan Regulador con la ayuda de asesores que elija. Analizan los impactos potenciales, beneficios y riesgos, y deciden si otorgar consentimiento o proponer modificaciones. Esta etapa incluye reuniones comunitarias, distribución de información y coordinación logística.

 Dialogo, Negociación y Acuerdos: La UTCI facilita un dialogo entre los pueblos indígenas (a través de la ITCI) y la Contraparte Interesada para discutir la decisión de la comunidad y cualquier propuesta. Los resultados pueden ser: consentimiento al plan, acuerdos parciales o ausencia de acuerdo.

 Finalización del Proceso de Consulta: La UTCI revisa la legalidad de los acuerdos en 10 días hábiles. Si es necesario, se realizan ajustes, y una vez aprobados, los acuerdos se formalizan en un "Pliego de Acuerdos" firmado por todas las partes. Si no se llega a un acuerdo, el proceso se cierra formalmente.

 Cumplimiento y Monitoreo de los Acuerdos: Todas las partes involucradas monitorean la implementación de los acuerdos. La Contraparte Interesada y los pueblos indígenas deben reportar periódicamente los avances a la UTCI, quien asegura la transparencia y rendición de cuentas.

El Mecanismo General de Consulta a Pueblos Indígenas todo este proceso debe adherirse a los principios de buena fe, consentimiento libre, previo e informado, el dialogo intercultural, el respeto a las organizaciones indígenas y a la adecuación cultural; su aplicación es obligatoria a la administración pública central y de manera voluntaria a los gobiernos locales y otras entidades.

Las convocatorias correspondientes deben ser públicas y de amplio alcance, respetando la diversidad lingüística y cultural. El proceso debe ser transparente y accesible, con publicación del plan de consulta, actas y acuerdos.

El presente capítulo desarrolla la materia relacionada a las gestiones que corresponde llevar a cabo para someter a revisión la propuesta del Plan Regulador ante el INVU, y contar así con la aprobación de su Departamento de Urbanismo. Dentro del contenido se definen los procedimiento y requerimientos específicos para la remisión, recepción y revisión de propuestas de formulación, actualización y modificación del Plan Regulador al Instituto, y orienta sobre cómo proceder ante una resolución de aprobación o denegatoria.

3.1. REMISIÓN DEL PLAN REGULADOR PARA REVISIÓN Toda formulación, actualización o modificación de un Plan Regulador debe someterse a revisión por parte del Departamento de Urbanismo del INVU, según lo establecido en los artículos 10 y 17 de la Ley de Planificación Urbana. Este paso es obligatorio antes de la adopción e implementación del instrumento, para lo cual la municipalidad debe remitir a dicha instancia la documentación técnica y legal requerida para su análisis. (Ver Figura 35) El artículo 70 bis de ese mismo cuerpo normativo menciona que para la respectiva revisión del Plan Regulador se debe cancelar una tarifa de servicio al INVU, que se fija según el Reglamento para el Establecimiento de las Tarifas de la Dirección de Urbanismo, publicado en La Gaceta N.°221 del 15 de noviembre del 2012, sus reformas o normativa que le sustituya. Para tales efectos, es necesario en primera instancia gestionar ante el Departamento de Urbanismo una cotización del proceso de revisión. A continuación, se detalla el procedimiento y los requerimientos específicos para la remisión de propuestas del Plan Regulador, según se trate de formulación, actualización y modificación.

3.1.1. Remisión en caso de Formulación del Plan Regulador La formulación es una de las modalidades de elaboración de un Plan Regulador para un territorio que no cuenta con uno previamente establecido. Implica el desarrollo integral del Diagnóstico Territorial, el Pronóstico, la Política de Desarrollo Urbano y los Reglamentos de Desarrollo Urbano, así como la Incorporación de la Variable Ambiental, para efectos de contar con la aprobación de la Viabilidad Ambiental de la SETENA.

Para la Formulación del Plan Regulador, el trámite debe realizarse a través de la Ventanilla Única de Inversión (VUI). Esta plataforma permite a las municipalidades registrar la documentación y realizar el seguimiento del proceso. La notificación de cualquier observación o admisión del trámite se realizará directamente a través del sistema.

Para la remisión de documentación por medio de la plataforma VUI, en caso de formulación, el Concejo Municipal, o cualquier otra dependencia municipal designada por éste, debe dirigir al INVU un oficio que contenga como mínimo los siguientes aspectos.

 Acuerdo del Concejo Municipal: El oficio debe transcribir el acuerdo según el acta de la sesión del Concejo Municipal donde se avala la remisión de la propuesta de Formulación del Plan Regulador para su respectiva revisión ante el INVU.

 Órgano Local de Planificación Territorial: Detalle de su conformación y listado de las personas que lo integran.

 Equipo Planificador: Detalle de su conformación y listado de las personas que lo integran; en caso de que el Equipo Planificador esté conformado por las mismas personas del Órgano Local de Planificación Territorial, esto debe indicarse en el oficio.

 Documentación adjunta: El oficio debe incluir un listado de la documentación que se remitirá al INVU producto de la Formulación del Plan Regulador; como mínimo se debe adjuntar:

 Resolución de aprobación de la viabilidad ambiental a la incorporación de la variable ambiental, otorgada por SETENA, con sus respectivos elementos cartográficos; que dado su carácter oficial no pueden ser alterados por el gobierno local.

 Análisis y resolución en materia hidrogeológica de SENARA, únicamente si aplica, para los cantones con cobertura del voto de la Sala Constitucional Resolución N.°2008-12109  Informe de Audiencia Pública  Informe de Participación Ciudadana  Diagnóstico Territorial  Informes de Diagnóstico Territorial  Atlas Cartográfico del Diagnóstico Territorial  Pronóstico Territorial  Propuesta del Plan Regulador  Política de Desarrollo Urbano  Reglamentos de Desarrollo Urbano.

 Atlas Cartográfico de la Propuesta de Formulación del Plan Regulador.

 Recibo del pago cancelado al INVU por concepto de revisión del Plan Regulador Para la elaboración de los elementos que conforman los Atlas Cartográficos, se recomienda ajustarse a las especificaciones de la "Guía para la Elaboración de Cartografía de Planes Reguladores".

3.1.2. Remisión en caso de Actualización del Plan Regulador La actualización es una de las modalidades de elaboración de un Plan Regulador, donde se revisa y ajusta el instrumento de planificación local existente, con uno o varios de los siguientes fines: ampliar el Área de Planificación, adecuarlo a nuevas condiciones territoriales o cambios en las disposiciones ambientales.

Involucra la actualización parcial o integral del Diagnóstico Territorial, el Pronóstico, la Política de Desarrollo Urbano y los Reglamentos de Desarrollo Urbano, así como la incorporación de la variable ambiental según los procedimientos técnicos definidos por SETENA, para efectos de contar con la aprobación o actualización de la Viabilidad Ambiental.

Para la remisión de documentación en caso de actualización, el Concejo Municipal, o cualquier otra dependencia municipal designada por éste, debe dirigir al correo electrónico [email protected] un oficio que contenga como mínimo los siguientes aspectos.

 Acuerdo del Concejo Municipal: El oficio debe transcribir el acuerdo según el acta de la sesión del Concejo Municipal donde se avala la remisión de la Actualización del Plan Regulador para su respectiva revisión ante el INVU.

 Órgano Local de Planificación Territorial: Detalle de su conformación y listado de las personas que lo integran.

 Equipo Planificador: Detalle de su conformación y listado de las personas que lo integran. En caso de que el Equipo Planificador esté conformado por las mismas personas del Órgano Local de Planificación Territorial, esto debe indicarse en el oficio.

 Documentación Adjunta: El oficio debe incluir el listado de la documentación que se remitirá al INVU producto de la Actualización del Plan Regulador; como mínimo se debe adjuntar:

 Resolución de aprobación de la viabilidad ambiental a la incorporación de la variable ambiental, otorgada por SETENA, con sus respectivos elementos cartográficos; que dado su carácter oficial no pueden ser alterados por el gobierno local.

 Análisis y resolución en materia hidrogeológica de SENARA, únicamente si aplica, para los cantones con cobertura del voto de la Sala Constitucional Resolución N.°2008-12109  Informe de Audiencia Pública  Informe de Participación Ciudadana  Diagnóstico Territorial de la Actualización  Informes de Diagnóstico Territorial  Atlas Cartográfico del Diagnóstico Territorial  Pronóstico Territorial de la Actualización  Propuesta de la Actualización del Plan Regulador  Política de Desarrollo Urbano  Reglamentos de Desarrollo Urbano  Atlas Cartográfico de la Propuesta de Actualización del Plan Regulador  Recibo del pago cancelado al INVU por concepto de revisión del Plan Regulador Para la elaboración de los elementos que conforman los Atlas Cartográficos, se recomienda ajustarse a las especificaciones de la "Guía para la Elaboración de Cartografía de Planes Reguladores".

3.1.3. Remisión en caso de Modificación del Plan Regulador La modificación es una de las modalidades de elaboración de un Plan Regulador, que busca realizar ajustes puntuales en el instrumento de planificación local existente, orientados a resolver situaciones específicas, tales como modificar los Reglamentos de Desarrollo Urbano, adaptar ciertas disposiciones del plan a cambios normativos, o nuevas necesidades detectadas en áreas concretas del territorio, sin alterar el área de planificación ni su estructura general, siempre que no involucren alteraciones a la Viabilidad Ambiental otorgada. Implica únicamente el desarrollo o justificación de aspectos específicos que abarca la naturaleza de la modificación, ya sea el Diagnóstico Territorial, el Pronóstico, la Política de Desarrollo Urbano o los Reglamentos de Desarrollo Urbano. Para la gestión de toda modificación se requiere la indicación de SETENA de que lo propuesto no precisa alteración en la Viabilidad Ambiental otorgada al instrumento; si dicha instancia señala que deben realizarse ajustes a los estudios ambientales, corresponde tramitar la propuesta bajo la modalidad de Actualización del Plan Regulador.

Para la remisión de documentación en caso de modificación, el Concejo Municipal, o cualquier otra dependencia municipal designada por éste, debe dirigir al correo electrónico [email protected] un oficio que contenga como mínimo los siguientes aspectos.

 Acuerdo del Concejo Municipal. El oficio debe transcribir el acuerdo según el acta de la sesión del Concejo Municipal donde se avala la remisión de la Modificación del Plan Regulador para su respectiva revisión ante el INVU.

 Órgano Local de Planificación Territorial: Detalle de su conformación y listado de las personas que lo integran.

 Equipo Planificador. Detalle de su conformación y listado de las personas que lo integran. En caso de que el Equipo Planificador esté conformado por las mismas personas del Órgano Local de Planificación Territorial, esto debe indicarse en el oficio.

 Documentación Adjunta: El oficio debe incluir el listado de la documentación que se remitirá al INVU producto de la Modificación del Plan Regulador. Se deben adjuntar los documentos relacionados exclusivamente con los aspectos modificados, dentro de los cuales pueden ser:

 Nota de la SETENA que indique que la propuesta de modificación no altera la Viabilidad Ambiental otorgada al Plan Regulador  Informe de Audiencia Pública  Informe de Participación Ciudadana  Diagnóstico Territorial que justifique la Modificación  Informes de Diagnóstico Territorial  Atlas Cartográfico del Diagnóstico Territorial  Pronóstico Territorial exclusivamente para los aspectos a modificar  Propuesta de la Modificación del Plan Regulador  Política de Desarrollo Urbano modificada  Reglamentos de Desarrollo Urbano modificados  Atlas Cartográfico de la Propuesta de Modificación del Plan Regulador.

 Recibo del pago cancelado al INVU por concepto de revisión del Plan Regulador.

3.2. RECEPCIÓN DEL PLAN REGULADOR La recepción de la documentación del Plan Regulador ante el INVU no constituye el proceso de revisión técnica. Se trata de un paso previo, orientado a verificar si la municipalidad ha remitido los productos entregables requeridos para que el expediente pueda ser admitido y valorado en tiempo. Este procedimiento permite agilizar la gestión en los casos en que la documentación está completa y, al mismo tiempo, brindar claridad a las municipalidades cuando se identifiquen productos faltantes que deben ser aportados para dar continuidad al proceso. La recepción varía según la modalidad del trámite: formulación, actualización o modificación, y tiene como finalidad establecer un 3.2.1. Recepción en caso de Formulación del Plan Regulador Para la Formulación del Plan Regulador, el trámite debe realizarse a través de la Ventanilla Única de Inversión (VUI). Esta plataforma permite a las municipalidades registrar la documentación y realizar el seguimiento del proceso. La notificación de cualquier observación o admisión del trámite se realizará directamente a través del sistema. La Tabla 8 resume los criterios para la recepción de documentos en la modalidad de Formulación del Plan Regulador con el fin de orientar a los Gobiernos Municipales, al Órgano Local de Planificación Territorial, al Equipo Planificador y a la comunidad en general.

Tabla 8. Recepción de documentos para Formulación del Plan Regulador 3.2.2. Recepción en caso de Actualización del Plan Regulador En la modalidad de Actualización del Plan Regulador, el INVU recibe la documentación a través del correo electrónico [email protected]. Para tales efectos, se consideran los siguientes supuestos:

 Supuesto 1. Recepción de información completa: El INVU verifica que la documentación remitida por la municipalidad contenga la existencia de los productos entregables requeridos. Si la información se encuentra completa, el Instituto emite una nota de admisión y asigna un número de trámite en un plazo de 10 días hábiles. Una vez recibida esta confirmación, la municipalidad debe realizar el pago por el servicio de revisión y remitir el comprobante correspondiente, el cual constituye el último documento del expediente. El tiempo asignado al INVU para efectuar la revisión de la propuesta de Actualización del Plan Regulador se contabiliza a partir de la fecha en que se remita recibo del pago a favor del Instituto.

 Supuesto 2. Recepción parcial de la información: El INVU verifica la documentación remitida por la municipalidad y, en un plazo de 10 días hábiles, comunica mediante nota la ausencia de uno o más productos mínimos entregables. A partir de dicha notificación, la municipalidad dispone de 10 días hábiles para aportar la documentación faltante. Una vez recibida la información dentro del plazo establecido, el INVU cuenta con 10 días hábiles para confirmar formalmente el cumplimiento de la totalidad de los productos mínimos y asignar el número de trámite correspondiente. Con esta confirmación, la municipalidad debe efectuar el pago por el servicio de revisión y remitir el comprobante respectivo, el cual constituye el último documento del expediente.

El tiempo asignado al INVU para efectuar la revisión de la propuesta de Actualización del Plan Regulador se contabiliza a partir de la fecha en que se remita recibo del pago a favor del Instituto.

 Supuesto 3. por la municipalidad y, en un plazo de 10 días hábiles, comunica mediante nota la ausencia de uno o más productos entregables. A partir de dicha notificación, la municipalidad dispone de 10 días hábiles para aportar la documentación faltante. Si la municipalidad no remite la información dentro del plazo establecido, se considera expirado el plazo de recepción. En este caso, debe reiniciarse el proceso, incluyendo el cómputo de los plazos para la verificación de documentos y la revisión de la propuesta de Actualización del Plan Regulador. Al no haberse cumplido con la entrega completa de la documentación, no corresponde realizar ningún pago por concepto de revisión.

La Tabla 9 resume los criterios para la recepción de documentos en la modalidad de Actualización del Plan Regulador con el fin de orientar a los Gobiernos Municipales, al Órgano Local de Planificación Territorial, al Equipo Planificador y a la comunidad en general.

Tabla 9. Recepción de documentos para Actualización del Plan Regulador.

3.2.3. Recepción en caso de Modificación del Plan Regulador En la modalidad de Modificación del Plan Regulador, el INVU recibe la documentación a través del correo electrónico [email protected].

Para tales efectos, se consideran los siguientes supuestos:

 Supuesto 1. Recepción de información completa: El INVU verifica que la documentación remitida por la municipalidad contenga la existencia de los productos entregables requeridos. Si la información se encuentra completa, el Instituto emite una nota de admisión y asigna un número de trámite en un plazo de 10 días hábiles. Una vez recibida esta confirmación, la municipalidad debe realizar el pago por el servicio de revisión y remitir el comprobante correspondiente, el cual constituye el último documento del expediente. El tiempo asignado al INVU para efectuar la revisión de la propuesta de Modificación del Plan Regulador se contabiliza a partir de la fecha en que se remita recibo del pago a favor del Instituto.

 Supuesto 2. Recepción parcial de la información: El INVU verifica la documentación remitida por la municipalidad y, en un plazo de 10 días hábiles, comunica mediante nota la ausencia de uno o más productos mínimos entregables. A partir de dicha notificación, la municipalidad dispone de 10 días hábiles para aportar la documentación faltante. Una vez recibida la información dentro del plazo establecido, el INVU cuenta con 10 días hábiles para confirmar formalmente el cumplimiento de la totalidad de los productos mínimos y asignar el número de trámite correspondiente. Con esta confirmación, la municipalidad debe efectuar el pago por el servicio de revisión y remitir el comprobante respectivo, el cual constituye el último documento del expediente.

El tiempo asignado al INVU para efectuar la revisión de la propuesta de Modificación del Plan Regulador se contabiliza a partir de la fecha en que se remita recibo del pago a favor del Instituto.

 Supuesto 3. por la municipalidad y, en un plazo de 10 días hábiles, comunica mediante nota la ausencia de uno o más productos entregables. A partir de dicha notificación, la municipalidad dispone de 10 días hábiles para aportar la documentación faltante. Si la municipalidad no remite la información dentro del plazo establecido, se considera expirado el plazo de recepción. En este caso, debe reiniciarse el proceso, incluyendo el cómputo de los plazos para la verificación de documentos y la revisión de la propuesta de Modificación del Plan Regulador. Al no haberse cumplido con la entrega completa de la documentación, no corresponde realizar ningún pago por concepto de revisión.

La Tabla 10 resume los criterios para la recepción de documentos en la modalidad de Modificación del Plan Regulador con el fin de orientar a los Gobiernos Municipales, al Órgano Local de Planificación Territorial, al Equipo Planificador y a la comunidad en general.

Tabla 10. Recepción de documentos para Modificación del Plan Regulador En caso de que exista alguna particularidad no contemplada en los requerimientos antes presentados para la recepción de documentación, es esencial que esta sea analizada de manera detallada con las instancias revisoras correspondientes, ya sea el INVU o la SETENA. Estas entidades evaluarán el caso y proporcionará la orientación necesaria para asegurar que el Plan Regulador cumpla con la normativa vigente y las condiciones específicas del cantón. Cualquier variación o situación especial debe ser debidamente atendida en colaboración con dichas autoridades para la formulación, actualización o modificación del instrumento de planificación local.

3.3. REVISIÓN DEL PLAN REGULADOR Una vez admitida la documentación que remite la municipalidad, el INVU procederá con la revisión técnica y legal del Plan Regulador. La revisión de los productos entregables del Plan Regulador se realiza de conformidad con los lineamientos establecidos en la Ley de Planificación Urbana y normativa conexa, y se aplica a los componentes fundamentales del instrumento: el Diagnóstico Territorial, el Pronóstico Territorial, la Política de Desarrollo Urbano y los Reglamentos de Desarrollo Urbano. Estos criterios garantizan que los productos cumplan con los objetivos de ordenamiento territorial y con los estándares técnicos requeridos para su formulación, actualización o modificación.

Los criterios de revisión se ajustan según la modalidad del Plan Regulador. En la formulación, se revisan integralmente todos los productos entregables, ya que el Plan Regulador se elabora desde cero para un territorio que carece de normativa previa. En el caso de la actualización, se evalúan únicamente los productos que han sido ajustados o desarrollados para reflejar cambios territoriales, normativos o sociales en el instrumento existente. Por último, en la modificación, la revisión se enfoca exclusivamente en los productos relacionados con los aspectos específicos que motivaron los ajustes a modificar en el Plan Regulador.

En caso de que la Municipalidad desarrolle reglamentos complementarios o adicionales a los cuerpos normativos mínimos requeridos que determina la Ley de Planificación Urbana, estos también deben ser sometidos a revisión, en tanto inciden con la aplicación del Plan Regulador por su relación con la planificación urbana y el ordenamiento del territorio.

En los siguientes numerales se presentan, en formato de tabla, los criterios de revisión para el Diagnóstico Territorial, el Pronóstico Territorial, la Política de Desarrollo Urbano y los Reglamentos de Desarrollo Urbano. No obstante, cuando el Plan Regulador incluya aspectos particulares que no estén adicionales que resulten pertinentes, ya sea por su relevancia técnica, por su impacto sobre la aplicación del instrumento o por estar respaldados en jurisprudencia vinculada con planes reguladores.

Asimismo, el INVU podrá formular observaciones de carácter técnico con un enfoque recomendativo, especialmente cuando se identifiquen oportunidades de mejora que, sin constituir incumplimientos formales, puedan contribuir a optimizar la calidad y coherencia del instrumento.

En el caso específico de la revisión del Atlas Cartográfico del Diagnóstico y del Atlas Cartográfico de la Propuesta, se utilizará como insumo orientador lo establecido en la "Guía para la Elaboración de Cartografía de Planes Reguladores".

3.3.1. Criterios de Revisión para el Diagnóstico Territorial Los criterios de revisión del Diagnóstico Territorial tienen como objetivo orientar a los Gobiernos Municipales, a los Equipos Planificadores y al INVU, como ente revisor, en la evaluación del cumplimiento de los productos mínimos requeridos para esta etapa, conforme a lo dispuesto en la Ley de Planificación Urbana y normativa conexa. Estos criterios tienen como finalidad que el diagnóstico cumpla con los requisitos legales, técnicos y metodológicos establecidos, proporcionando una visión integral y detallada del área a planificar. Al evaluar mapas, informes y análisis específicos, los criterios permiten identificar las potencialidades, limitantes, necesidades e impactos del territorio, garantizando que se cuente con una base sólida para las etapas posteriores del proceso de planificación urbana. Seguidamente, la Tabla 11 contiene los Criterios de Revisión Diagnóstico Territorial - Análisis por Ejes; y la Tabla 12 detalla los Criterios de Revisión Diagnóstico Territorial - Resultados del Diagnóstico.