Protected areas in land use planning policies: Key articulation for territorial justice

Abstract

The Latin American region has been marked by a historic process of extractivism and weak institutional structures, causing deep socio-environmental and economic crises. The resaturation of territorial justice has then become the center of the debate. Nature-based solutions, for their innovative and systemic nature, could be key in approaching these complex problems. However, the interplay between these strategies and justice is not clear enough. This article addresses this interaction centering on protected areas, the most traditional response from regional governments to nature degradation. We attempt to test the hypothesis that integrating protected areas in land use planning policies improves the exercise of justice, understanding it from a place-based point of view. To this end, we carried out quali- and quantitative analysis of social perceptions, historical background, land use policies and governance in Tandil and Tornquist, two municipal districts of the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The results showed that i) protected areas were associated with justice if a conservation project reached a legal rule and if the community was involved in its formulation and management; ii) the integration of protected areas in land use planning policies helped to satisfy both conditions. We end by proposing a theoretical model which outlines how three strengths of land use planning can turn PAs into more just NbS. We also discuss the need to develop a broader and place-based approach of justice as “territorial justice”.