Towards sustainable Latin American agglomerations

A decade-and-a-half study across ten Latin American cities and metropolitan regions reveals that urban gardening and periurban farming, rooted in traditional healing practices and ethno-botanical knowledge, significantly contribute to the social, cultural, economic, and environmental sustainability of these agglomerations. The research, based on 1,254 inquiries—70% of which were urban gardeners and periurban farmers—highlighted that native species and indigenous prescriptions dominate these practices, except in regions like Cuba and Argentina where native ethnic groups have been eradicated, or Uruguay, with stronger European influence. Qualitative data, including video records of traditional healers and gardeners, along with photographed plant species, underscored the importance of these practices as legacies for future generations, offering a paradoxical solution to global challenges while benefiting both society and the environment.

Madaleno, I. M. (2013). Towards sustainable Latin American agglomerations. The Sustainable City VIII, 1, 605–616. https://doi.org/10.2495/sc130511