Building urban sustainability: an alternative analysis of urban community gardens in Mexico City

Uma análise alternativa das hortas comunitárias urbanas na Cidade do México

Abstract

Urban gardens are increasingly recognized as a viable option for achieving urban sustainability. In addition to producing food and useful plant species, urban gardens are also a way to transform urban space, generate community, socially innovate and be formative spaces. In this research, we analyze two urban community gardens in Mexico City from the perspectives of agroecology, social and solidarity economy, and social innovation. With the participation of the garden managers and key actors, we defined the methodological tools to call for community participation and conducted workshops to learn about local perceptions of how the gardens work. At the same time, attributes and variables were defined and evaluated in relation to the achievement of objectives. The results show that both initiatives are well perceived by their communities, despite the fact that few people are involved in the gardens. We found that most of the variables were evaluated satisfactorily, although aspects such as the origin and use of water, the distribution of income among the community or the generation of community budgets have not achieved the objectives.