Case study: Integrating urban agriculture into land use planning and park management in Rosario, Argentina At the height of Argentina’s 2001 economic crisis, the country had defaulted on its debt, gross domestic product was shrinking, the unemployment rate had reached 25 percent, the Argentine peso had lost 75 percent of its value, and the rate of inflation was climbing to an unprecedented high. The people of Rosario, the country’s third-largest city, were hit particularly hard by the crisis: more than 800 000 people, or some 60 percent of the city’s entire population, were thrust into poverty. With their country’s economy in shambles, the citizens of Rosario had to adapt to survive. Many began cultivating available plots of land throughout the city to ensure a steady supply of food for themselves and their families. Recognizing the value of this novel practice to alleviate suffering and ensure food security, local authorities started to make public lands available for farming. The city also provided many fledgling urban farmers with tools, seeds, and other essential supplies. To support this nascent activity, the city created the Programa de Agricultura Urbana (PAU). A cooperative venture that unites urban farmers, municipal officials, agricultural experts, and representatives of nongovernmental organizations, PAU quickly helped urban farmers secure and protect agricultural spaces, take advantage of value-added agricultural products, and establish new markets and market systems. Soon, seven farmers’ markets and more than 800 community gardens—supporting some 10 000 farmers and their families—had sprouted up throughout the city. “Urban farmers were grateful for the support that the program was able to provide,� says Raul Terille of the Centre for Agro-Ecological Production Studies. “After months of crisis and uncertainty, the program not only helped urban farmers feed themselves, their families, and their neighbours, but it also created some stability and brought renewed hope to their lives.� Although the economic crisis has passed, challenges remain for Rosario and its urban farmers. Many government officials remain unaware of the permanent value of urban agriculture. New urban farmers, especially those arriving in the city from rural areas, must be integrated more efficiently into existing urban agriculture initiatives. But perhaps most importantly, urban agriculture must become a permanent land use and activity in ongoing municipal planning processes. As shown on the following video-clip. One of the recent landmark accomplishments of Rosario’s Programa de Agricultura Urbana is Molino Blanco, a local housing project for low-income families. What separates Molino Blanco from other residential areas is how urban agriculture has been used to improve the community. Of note, the community recently participated in the design and construction of a multi-functional large garden park. The garden provides not only food, employment, and income for many residents, but also recreational paths and soccer fields that have been incorporated into its development. Source: IDRC, 2006. Growing better cities: From crisis to prosperity. Prepared for the World Urban Forum 2006. International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada. See for further information on Rosario the optional reading: L. Guenette, 2006. A city hooked on urban farming. Case study No 6. Growing Better Cities. IDRC, Canada Click Here |
