Abstract

CALDERON CISNEROS, Araceli. Family urban agriculture in an average city in Chiapas. Implications for urban sustainability. Estud. soc [online]. 2016, vol.26, n.48, pp.101-129. ISSN 0188-4557.

The objective of the research was to analyze the role of urban agriculture in the construction of sustainability in a medium-size city, taking to San Cristobal de Las Casas in Chiapas as a case study. A qualitative research, based mainly on open and structured interviews was designed, allowing to address the sustainability of urban agriculture from the perspective of socio-ecological resilience. Visited agricultural systems have characteristics that promote resilience and sustainability in the city: families grow vegetables, fruits and other edible plants, and raise small animals, optimizing space, labor and time available. The most common is a low use of external and chemical inputs, use and recycling of household waste, and local germplasm management. Although the contribution of own production to household consumption is very low, there are food, environmental and socio-cultural motivations that encourage continuity. It is concluded that the contribution of urban agriculture to urban sustainability in the medium-sized cities, is based on the productive experiences and local resources, considering its regional links.

Keywords : regional development; urban sustainability; urban agriculture; mid-size city; resilience; Chiapas.

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