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Contributions of Urban Collective Gardens to Local Sustainability in Mexico City

Author

Listed:
  • Karla Guzmán Fernández

    (Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores (ENES), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Antigua Carretera a Pátzcuaro 8701, Morelia 58190, Michoacán, Mexico)

  • Ana I. Moreno-Calles

    (Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores (ENES), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Antigua Carretera a Pátzcuaro 8701, Morelia 58190, Michoacán, Mexico)

  • Alejandro Casas

    (Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Antigua Carretera a Pátzcuaro 8701, Morelia 58190, Michoacán, Mexico)

  • José Blancas

    (Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Conservación, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Avenida Universidad 1001, Colonia Chamilpa, Cuernavaca 62209, Morelos, Mexico)

Abstract

Urban collective gardens (UCG) are considered alternatives to face the environmental problems generated by urbanization, contributing to the sustainability of cities. This study aims to characterize UCG and its contributions to the local sustainability in Mexico City (CdMx). From bibliographic searches, consultation on social networks, and expert suggestions, our research group identified 40 gardens for CdMx, based on which we constructed a UCG typology. For deeper studies, we selected 19 UCGs based on several criteria: Number of members (at least three persons managing UCG), UCG age (at least one year), disposition of collaborating in the study, and availability for evaluation. The selected UCGs were evaluated qualitatively following the Framework for the Evaluation of Natural Resource Management Systems incorporating Sustainability Indicators (MESMIS, for its acronym in Spanish) through in-depth interviews and participant observation. We identified critical points or factors that drive or limit UCG (e.g., biological diversity, training of people participating, social and economic stability, access to space and financial support, economic diversification, input dependency, security of land tenure, and contamination risk). We concluded that UCG of CdMX contribute to local sustainability through processes like creating jobs, recovering connections with nature, knowledge transmission, experimental practices, and offers of therapeutic benefits, among others.

Suggested Citation

  • Karla Guzmán Fernández & Ana I. Moreno-Calles & Alejandro Casas & José Blancas, 2020. "Contributions of Urban Collective Gardens to Local Sustainability in Mexico City," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-23, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:18:p:7562-:d:413244
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ebru Alakavuk & Duygu Cinar Umdu, 2023. "Urban Open Therapy Gardens in EU Cities Mission: Izmir Union Park Proposal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-19, April.
    2. Claudia A. Ochoa-Noriega & Juan F. Velasco-Muñoz & José A. Aznar-Sánchez & Ernesto Mesa-Vázquez, 2021. "Overview of Research on Sustainable Agriculture in Developing Countries. The Case of Mexico," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-20, July.
    3. Martine El Ouardi & Françoise Montambeault, 2023. "COLLECTIVELY GARDENING THE URBAN PUBLIC SPACE IN MEXICO CITY: When Informal Practices Interact with the State," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(2), pages 201-220, March.
    4. Bohong Zheng & Francis Masrabaye & Gerald Madjissembaye Guiradoumngué & Jian Zheng & Linlin Liu, 2021. "Progress in Research on Sustainable Urban Renewal Since 2000: Library and Visual Analyses," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-28, April.
    5. Chethika Gunasiri Wadumestrige Dona & Geetha Mohan & Kensuke Fukushi, 2021. "Promoting Urban Agriculture and Its Opportunities and Challenges—A Global Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-22, August.

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