Contemporary land use policy in Quito : towards a more equitable approach

Abstract

In 2008, a transformational moment took hold in Ecuador, when through a highly democratic process, a new constitution was established based in a more inclusive and equitable sense of rights and development. Among other changes, this included direct implications for land rights and land use considerations. This was, and continues to be, highly important as land rights questions have long been a central component in the platforms of historically marginalized groups- Indigenous communities, Afro-Ecuadorians and Montubios. This thesis examines how (or how not) land use policies since 2008 have translated into more equitable approaches. In Quito where land rights and land use challenges persist, particularly from the vantage of historically marginalized communities and neighborhoods, the question of moving towards more equitable approaches to land use policies is an urgent one. To examine this question I first look at why equitability is important and what it implications it holds in relation to land use and land rights questions. This is done through an analysis of four frames of consideration: (1) The Spatial; (2) The Political Historical context; (3) The Theoretical; (4) Insights from those engaged in land rights struggles and policymaking. Using these frame of analysis, this study evaluates the principle secondary laws that have been enacted post 2008 and finds that: 1) The passage of these policies is evidence of strong progress made towards more equitable approaches to land use planning in the post 2008 period. 2) While this progress is undeniable and deeply significant, critical dimensions of equitability remain unaddressed. Land rights questions of indigenous communities, questions of governance, aspects of market regulation- among other concerns- continue to persist. To deepen equitability in land policy making, I argue that, in addition to ensuring strong implementation of recent policies, a more comprehensive notion of equitability must be embraced and translated into existing and new regulatory instruments and frameworks.