Resumen

BOZZANO, Horacio et al. Land use and places: Theoretical and methodological criteria. Application to a case in Guatemala. Rev. Univ. geogr. [online]. 2008, vol.17, n.1, pp. 189-231. ISSN 1852-4265.

The overall objective of the paper is to provide theoretical and methodological criteria to, at an early stage, identify and define real land-uses useful in a second phase to define locations in terms of patterns of territorial ownership and occupation in the micro-scale. The research, conducted among UNLP Argentina and USAC Guatemala, refers to the conurbation consisting of Antigua Guatemala, Ciudad Vieja and Jocotenango, in the Republic of Guatemala. After addressing theoretical background on the subject, eight theoretical and methodological steps to define and work with land-uses are proposed: 1-theoretical basis of the concept; 2-land use as a concept; 3-classification of uses 4-mapping and data-base; 5-adjustments to the classification; 6-territorialities; 7-vocations and "pre-places", and 8-results: map analytical and interpretation. Then, after a preliminary investigation, theoretical and methodological criteria are suggested for defining locations. These are summarized in the following stages: 1-territorialities and territories; 2-vocations and "pre-places" 3-rationalities, processes, trends and actors; 4-mapping sites, and 5-synthesis-matrix: "places, concepts and variables." Conclusions centre on theoretical and methodological aspects, methodological and technical aspects, territorial management and tourism, applicability, utility, territory understanding and conscience, cooperation and work repetition.

Palabras llave : Land Uses; Places; Territory; Territoriality; Theoretical and Methodological Criteria.