H. Losada et al., Urban agriculture in the metropolitan zone of Mexico City: changes over time in urban, suburban and peri-urban areas, ENVIR URBAN, 10(2), 1998, pp. 37-54
This paper describes the scale and nature of agricultural production in urb
an, suburban and peri-urban zones of Mexico City and how these have adapted
to the changing demands from urban populations for food, wood and recreati
on. It also demonstrates how agricultural producers have successfully adapt
ed their products and their production methods, including building on tradi
tional production systems, despite the environmental deterioration brought
about by urban development and the lack of support from government. These a
gricultural producers have also devised new ways of using degraded land and
large volumes of waste. The authors also describe how appropriate support
for this diverse production brings many ecological advantages and supports
a great range of jobs - but also implies important changes in the ways in w
hich city authorities manage urban expansion.