The Ministry of Housing, Construction and Sanitation approved on March 31 a new Regulation of Citizen Participation aimed at establishing mechanisms for public involvement in the environmental evaluation of investment projects and activities within the sector.
This regulation is significant because projects under the Ministry are closely linked to essential public services such as housing and sanitation, which directly affect citizens. The aim is to create more accessible, flexible, and practical participatory mechanisms that consider the social, cultural, and territorial characteristics of users.
The new rule, enacted through Supreme Decree No. 003-2026-VIVIENDA, is mandatory for all holders of public, private, or mixed-capital projects. It sets out how citizen participation should take place before or during the evaluation of environmental management instruments. “With this regulation we are taking a fundamental step to strengthen the relationship between the State, the population and investment projects. We are committed to real, transparent and inclusive citizen participation that allows us to prevent conflicts and guarantee sustainable development,” said the Minister of Housing.
Key participatory tools outlined in the regulation include public hearings, participatory workshops, opinion surveys and suggestion boxes. Additional methods such as interviews, informational meetings and dialogue spaces will also be used to gather input from citizens effectively.
The implementation of this regulation aims to support timely development of sustainable projects by providing greater predictability for investments while helping close gaps in access to adequate housing and sanitation services. The General Directorate of Environmental Affairs will provide technical assistance for its proper implementation; it will come into force within a maximum period of 90 calendar days.
By introducing this measure, the Ministry reaffirms its role as sectoral environmental authority by promoting effective participation that ensures projects address real community needs.
