This review and theoretical reflection addresses the treatment of trans-border governance networks in South America and its relation with development and territorial integration. In consequence, it reviews the regional, national, and international literature around this subject in order to identify analytical trends and topics worthy of being researched. Finally, on the basis of this review, a general strategy for the analysis of trans-border governance networks will be offered, built on three integrated phases of analysis in order to study the governance network’s capacity, coordination, innovation, and development. Through this strategy we aim to study processes of territorial development integration, and innovation on a local and border scales under mechanisms of local and multilevel governance.