Normative Evolution of Municipal Ordinances in the City of Encarnación: A Historical Analysis of the Period 1953–2023

Abstract

Municipal ordinances are regulations responsible for governing coexistence and the management of local resources within a municipality. In the city of Encarnación, these regulations have undergone an evolutionary process that reflects the transformations experienced by the community. The objective of this research is to analyze the normative evolution of the ordinances enacted in the city of Encarnación during the period 1953–2023 and to classify them according to specific criteria in order to identify trends in their development. The methodological approach is qualitative and descriptive, complemented by quantitative techniques for data analysis, using official municipal documents as the main sources. The main findings indicate that the number of ordinances increased from the 1990s onward, coinciding with the processes of decentralization and the strengthening of municipal autonomy in Paraguay. It is concluded that the evolution of the ordinances reflects a process of institutional modernization and adaptation to local needs. In this regard, the study aims to contribute to the understanding of the city’s normative regulation and public management, positively influencing decision-making and the design of policies that foster municipal development.