espanolLa investigacion se desarrolla en Popayan � Colombia, ciudad de origen fundacional espanol que conserva su riqueza cultural y arquitectonica de 475 anos, pese a los efectos devastadores de movimientos teluricos y conflictos sociales provocados por el desplazamiento forzoso de la poblacion rural. En este contexto, se examinan las politicas publicas y la normatividad concerniente a la participacion ciudadana, el desarrollo y conservacion de los centros historicos y los Planes Especiales de Manejo y Proteccion (PEMP); se analiza la vulnerabilidad global del centro historico y se formulan estrategias que aportan a la insercion dinamica y efectiva de las iniciativas civiles, mediante las Unidades de Planeacion Comunitaria (UPC), como espacios para el dialogo, consenso y cogestion entre gobernantes y ciudadanos, que buscan reposicionar lo colectivo, fortalecer la identidad cultural y la equidad social, promoviendo la recuperacion de espacios urbanos y arquitectonicos que valoren su entorno patrimonial y generen impacto urbano positivo. EnglishThe research is carried out in Popayan � Colombia, city with an origin of Spanish foundation that keeps it cultural and architectonic richness of 475 years, in spite of the devastator effects of the telluric movements and the social conflicts caused because of the forced movement of the rural population. In this context, the public politics and rules concerned to the people�s participation, the development and conservation of the historic centers and the Special Plans of Handle and Protection (PEMP) are examined, the global vulnerability of the historic downtown are analyzed and strategies are formulated that contribute to the dynamic and effective insertion of the civil initiatives, through the Unities of Community Planning (UPC), as areas to dialogue, consensus and co-gestion among the governing and the citizens, who look for the reposition the collective idea, strengthening the cultural identity and the social balance, by promoting the recovering of the urban and architectonic areas that value its heritage surrounding and that generate a positive urban impact.