Under the management of Mayor Guillermo Rodríguez, Asqueta highlighted how these axes are intertwined with the framework of Law 18.308 of Territorial Planning and Sustainable Development, prioritizing a balanced growth that integrates environmental, productive and tourist aspects.
Asqueta clarified that the management has evolved to enhance the environmental component, previously underdeveloped by technical and budgetary limitations. “Sustainable development is not just a ‘tail’ in the law; it is essential for our people, peoples, land and heritage,” he said, announcing the future creation of an Environment Secretariat in the Departmental Organization chart.
Detailed Analysis of Carmelo Development
The director dedicated much of the conversation to analyze Carmelo’s potential as a development pole in the west of the department, highlighting the need for a territorial planning plan that guides human activities in a sustainable way. After years of delays – attributed to normative complexities and not to specific political faults – the plan for Carmelo and its area of influence is in advanced phases: it already has approval of the Ministry of Territorial Planning and only remains to respond environmental observations for its local discussion and approval in the Departmental Board.
Asqueta emphasized that Carmelo’s development goes beyond urban or rural limits; It is an integral habitat where productive, cultural, educational and tourist activities converge. “We guide the use of the territory with location guidelines to avoid conflicts,” he explained, citing concrete examples:
Intelligent zoning
Noisy activities, such as tourist ventures with high music or factories, should not be located in central residential areas or spas such as Zagarzazú. On the other hand, specific logistics areas for trucks and night operations are promoted, reducing noise and environmental pollution in inhabited areas. “I wish there are many logistics activities, because they generate employment, but in adequate places, not next to houses where people sleep,” he illustrated, highlighting solidarity between areas to make land uses compatible.
Tourist and residential expansion in the South Zone (Lomas de Carmelo)
Analyzing this historically marginalized area, Asqueta detailed plans to value 30 municipal hectares – after the closing of the Calcar factory, which eliminated previous pollutants. An expansion is projected with campsites, motorhomes, parks and walks, complemented by infrastructure such as drinking water and paving. “This recontatorses the neighborhood; not only serves the wealthy centers,” he said, linking it to the closure of barracks and the installation of housing cooperatives. The analysis underlines how this development will enhance ecological tourism, preserving cultural identities and generating indirect employment in guides, restaurants and transport.
Productive and cultural coexistence
In areas such as Colonia Estrella, Juan González and Cerro de Carmelo, wine tourism and vineyards have expanded in 25 years, coexisting with other activities such as pig farming. Asqueta analyzed the complexity of limits: “coexistence is possible with social dialogue and measures such as vegetable barriers to mitigate noises and smells.” Citing Mendoza (Argentina) as a model, he emphasized community participation to resolve conflicts, prioritizing the preservation of social and productive identities that attract international tourists.
Coastal Walk in Rincón de Escobar (Corralito)
As a transforming axis, Asqueta analyzed this low and underutilized zone – historically known as a natural enclave between the Las Vacas stream and the Río de la Plata. The project, resumed by IDB loans 25 years ago, evolves to a friendly walk, avoiding predatory ramblas. It will include hydraulic works to solve floods in neighborhoods such as Mianovich and Saravia, negotiating with private ones to open views of the river. “Carmelo must develop towards water, such as New Palmira; this solves hydraulic problems and enhances tourism,” he argued, projecting the valuation of adjacent lands and sustainable urban expansion.
Coast care: preservation and public access
Transiting the departmental field, Asqueta emphasized the urgency of protecting the 190 km of colony coasts – with 150 km of tourist beaches -, in the face of threats such as erosion, climate change and inappropriate developments. “Our coast is key to lives, works and development; the mayor prioritizes its preservation,” he said, linking this to national coastal guidelines.
Boca del Rosario
The case of Boca del Rosario illustrates a recurring conflict in the department of Colonia related to public access to the coast, where an entrepreneur placed a fence that blocked the road to the beach, generating complaints from neighbors and residents of Juan Lacaze and Rosario. This incident, recently occurred in September 2025, revealed that the path in question passed through a private register, although the intention had made improvements in him for years without full knowledge of the property. The intention’s response, under the direction of Miguel Asqueta, involved a quick intervention with officials such as Gustavo Viola, who met with about 20-25 neighbors, Mayor Darío Brugman and the press to evaluate the situation.
Respect for laws was emphasized, but with an approach to guarantee public rights to the coastal belt, which is of state domain and cannot be privatized. Currently, there is an ongoing dialogue with the owner’s representatives – who shows good predisposition for an agreement -, exploring options such as passing easements or legal corrections to restore access, preventing scenarios from being repeated where the State seems to give in to private interests.
