Strategic competencies of public servants in managing development and land use planning in Santo Domingo
Keywords:
Territorial management, Strategic competencies, Local information systems, Development planningAbstract
The management of development and territorial planning within Ecuador’s Decentralised Autonomous Governments (GADs) requires the use of geospatial information, technical analysis, and participatory mechanisms to promote sustainable and well-governed territories. However, in the canton of Santo Domingo, notable gaps persist in the strategic competencies of public officials, limiting the effectiveness and technical quality of planning processes. The main objective of this study is to analyse the strategic competencies required by public servants in Santo Domingo for the effective use of local information systems in territorial planning and development processes oriented towards sustainability. The study applied a documentary, analytical, and interpretative approach, drawing on national regulations, methodological guidelines, academic literature, and technical documents issued by SENPLADES and Planifica Ecuador. Content analysis enabled the identification of categories related to institutional capacities, territorial information systems, and public-sector competencies. The findings reveal significant constraints, including limited and outdated territorial information, weak inter-institutional coordination, technical and budgetary restrictions, and insufficient management of Local Information Systems (SIL). These factors hinder the development of analytical, digital, and regulatory competencies necessary for evidence-based decision-making. It is concluded that strengthening human talent is essential for improving the technical quality of territorial development and planning instruments (PDOT). Continuous training, interoperable information systems, and sustainable decision-making practices are required to enhance territorial management in the canton of Santo Domingo.
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