<p>This paper presents the methodological process designed to tackle land planning research, based on community participation. The case study is the Valle del Paraíso community in Puebla city. The methodology includes three phases that were carried out gradually, starting with the theoretical review phase about the Participatory Action-Research paradigm. The second phase contains a selection of information collection techniques. And the last phase refers to the design of the methodological tools for community participation. Results include the application of six social mapping workshops and a social survey for territory diagnosis. Moreover, organizing focus groups to design a land intervention plan is examined. The main aim is to improve the urban habitability of the studied area.</p>