City-Level Decoupling-Case Studies

CITY-LEVEL DECOUPLING: URBAN RESOURCE FLOWS AND THE GOVERNANCE OF INFRASTRUCTURE TRANSITIONS

Bonpland Market, Buenos Aires (Source: Communitary Bonpland Market, 2009)

The promoters train urban gardeners in the preparation of the land for food, and the construction of tools for small scale farming. Food produced in home gardens and orchards is typically consumed by the farmers' families, and community gardens serve those who do not have outdoor space at home. Home gardens of around 100 m 2 are suitable for feeding families, but schools require around 200 m 2 and community gardens are closer to 1,000 m 2 in size. The average annual production of a family garden is over 200 kg of fresh vegetables, which can feed a family of five. Some gardens are also able to supply eggs and meat from chickens and rabbits. 236 ProHuerta’s approach to food self-sufficiency offered an ideal solution to the 2001 food crisis for the city of Buenos Aires, particularly in the poor areas where the effects was most harshly felt. Local production of fresh fruit and vegetables helped to address issues of malnutrition amongst the poor whilst indirectly providing economic, social and environmental benefits. 237 The technical team of AMBA ProHuerta now services most of the city, coordinating a network of 1876 promoters consisting mainly of volunteers and teachers. It works with over 200 organizations and institutions to deliver inputs and provide technical support and training, and 323,559 people are now involved in producing food under the program at a network of 50,362 urban gardens and 1048 small farms, which also provide chickens and rabbits. While the program was initially intended to address the food crisis and malnutrition amongst the city’s poor, bartering and trading at community fairs has provided an additional benefit in the form of strengthened social cohesion in Greater Buenos Aires. 238 Many of these food fairs are held more than once a week, with fruit and vegetables being the main items traded. They have helped to stimulate local economies and have provided new employment opportunities for the poor. In some cases, municipalities have recognised the value offered by these fairs and have dedicated municipal land for use as market places.

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