<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The aim of this article is to indicate the features of contemporary urban agriculture present in the contiguously built-up areas of Havana. Using an exploratory and classification approach, the authors draw on fieldwork and a prior analysis of satellite and aerial imagery, first to characterize the spatial distribution of urban gardens and then to point to their main intrinsic features, including the methods and organization of production and the functions performed. The research conducted shows that urban agriculture is distributed across the city in an uneven fashion, with the main concentration in districts of lower-density urban construction, which reflects the availability of land resources intentionally left between buildings by modernist planners. The most common production technique applied is <italic>organopónico</italic>, or organoponics. However, the material commonly used to construct the bordering walls is asbestos, which may pose a significant threat for both producers and consumers. Two case studies are analyzed to exemplify different approaches to organic food production.</p></abstract>

The aim of this article is to indicate the features of contemporary urban agriculture present in the contiguously built-up areas of Havana. Using an exploratory and classification approach, the authors draw on fieldwork and a prior analysis of satellite and aerial imagery, first to characterize the spatial distribution of urban gardens and then to point to their main intrinsic features, including the methods and organization of production and the functions performed. The research conducted shows that urban agriculture is distributed across the city in an uneven fashion, with the main concentration in districts of lower-density urban construction, which reflects the availability of land resources intentionally left between buildings by modernist planners. The most common production technique applied is organopónico, or organoponics. However, the material commonly used to construct the bordering walls is asbestos, which may pose a significant threat for both producers and consumers. Two case studies are analyzed to exemplify different approaches to organic food production.

Urban agriculture in Havana – evidence from empirical research

Miscellanea Geographica

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"Urban agriculture in Havana \u2013 evidence from empirical research"}

The aim of this article is to indicate the features of contemporary urban agriculture present in the contiguously built-up areas of Havana. Using an...

Urban agriculture in Havana – evidence from empirical research

Published Online: Apr 30, 2020

Page range: 85 - 93

Received: Jul 08, 2019

Accepted: Mar 25, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/mgrsd-2020-0012

Keywords
Urban agriculture, organic farming, sustainable agriculture, Havana, Cuba

© 2020 Ada Górna, Krzysztof Górny, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

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Urban agriculture in Havana – evidence from empirical research

Published Online: Apr 30, 2020

Page range: 85 - 93

Received: Jul 08, 2019

Accepted: Mar 25, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/mgrsd-2020-0012

KeywordsUrban agriculture, organic farming, sustainable agriculture, Havana, Cuba

© 2020 Ada Górna, Krzysztof Górny, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Keywords
Urban agriculture, organic farming, sustainable agriculture, Havana, Cuba