In Mexico, land-use policy is determined at the municipal level, where decisions regarding land use and purpose are made. These localized practices fundamentally shape territorial organization, though often without coherence, harmony, or sustainability. Consequently, higher-level perspectives become crucial when resource scarcity and degradation, particularly of water, become apparent, necessitating a broader rethinking of resource access, utilization, and management. This localized approach underscores a critical issue: lived realities often transcend municipal boundaries. A shift toward a cohabitation-focused vision, one that surpasses political and administrative borders, is urgently needed. This necessitates a new model of territorial occupation and management, one that prioritizes integrated and collaborative approaches and serves as the foundation for territorial planning. Within this framework, the technical definition of management units becomes essential, enabling the design of strategies that link actions aimed at creating healthy, sustainable habitats while fostering a strong sense of co-responsibility in territorial management.