Argentina: Urban ecology that saved Argentina’s Rosario held up as a model for others
Rosario’s detailed maps identified vacant land unsuitable for other purposes and reimagined that land to create farms within the city
By Christa Avampato
Mongabay
31 December 2021
Excerpt:
n 2015, Rosario had expanded the urban agriculture program beyond the city’s borders and into neighboring jurisdictions. Together, they created a first-of-its-kind land ordinance known as the Green Belt Project that permanently designated 800 hectares (1,980 acres) of land for agroecological fruit and vegetable production.
The project produced intricate maps that provided an unintended benefit when the delta caught fire in 2020: With the maps in hand, Rosario and its neighbors could see clearly that the Green Belt Project areas maintained soil integrity and reduced flooding and temperatures. In addition to soil integrity, the lack of pesticide use in the program also enhanced biodiversity.
Over the years, as Rosario’s political leadership has changed, the community agriculture program has maintained strong support across administrations.
“The many benefits to the people, land, and wildlife have firmly embedded the program into the long-term urban planning process, policies, budgeting, and environmental plans,” Maassen says. “The stability of the program has shown how government can foster public-private partnerships that are a win-win for everyone.”
