Urban farming as a healing tool in Mexico City: The story of Huerto Tatlelolco
Tlatelolco, a neighbourhood in Mexico City with a complex history, found new life through urban farming. Once marked by violence, such as the 1968 massacre and the devastation of the 1985 earthquake, Tlatelolco is now home to a thriving community garden led by Gaby, a pioneer in Mexico's urban farming movement. This initiative has gone beyond growing food, turning into a tool to heal a neighbourhood, inviting people to develop a connection with the earth, and promoting sustainability.
Urban farming’s role in rebirthing conflict areas
Tlatelolco, a neighbourhood in Mexico City with a complex history, found new life through urban farming. Once marked by violence, such as the 1968 massacre and the devastation of the 1985 earthquake, Tlatelolco is now home to a thriving community garden led by Gaby, a pioneer in Mexico's urban farming movement. This initiative has gone beyond growing food, turning into a tool to heal a neighbourhood, inviting people to develop a connection with the earth, and promoting sustainability.
The beginning of a green vision
Gaby's passion for urban farming began over 20 years ago in a Montessori school, where she started a small garden on her balcony. Her first successful harvest—a single tomato—sparkled a lifelong commitment to agriculture. In 2012 she founded Cultiva Ciudad, an organisation dedicated to urban farming in Mexico. Gaby's work spans several communities, including penitentiaries, hospitals, and schools, where she emphasises the importance of food sovereignty and ecofeminism.
Cultivating future planet protectors
One of the most meaningful impacts of the Tlatelolco urban farm is on the local children. Gaby believes that "no one defends what they do not love, and no one loves what they do not know." By involving children in the farming process, she helps them develop a deeper understanding of nature, food systems, and the importance of environmental stewardship. The farm serves as a hands-on classroom where children learn about composting, the life cycle of plants, and the critical role of agriculture in combating climate change.
Community and environmental challenges
The challenges Gaby faces are not insignificant. There is a persistent stigma against farming in urban areas, and political will to support such initiatives is often lacking. Yet, she remains committed to her mission, believing that urban farming is a vital response to the environmental and social challenges of our time. By transforming neglected spaces into thriving gardens, Gaby and her team are not only providing fresh, local food but also creating a sense of community and resilience in Tlatelolco.
Kids learning about urban farming at Huerto Tatlelolco
Lessons for urban farmers around the world
The Tlatelolco urban farm offers numerous lessons for urban farmers globally. It emphasises the need for community engagement and the use of endemic plants tailored to local conditions. The farm’s composting program, which processes a ton of organic waste monthly with the help of a special bacteria, is an excellent model for sustainable waste management. Neighbours are encouraged to participate, exchanging compost for fresh produce, creating a closed-loop system that benefits both the environment and the community.
Always room for growth
While the Tlatelolco farm has seen significant success, Gaby and her team are eager to learn from other urban farming initiatives worldwide. They are particularly interested in how other regions manage water resources amidst a growing global water crisis and how they combat pests and diseases. Gaby is also curious about how urban farmers elsewhere engage with their communities and what innovative techniques are being used to enhance sustainability and resilience in urban agriculture.
This blend of historical context, community engagement, and environmental consciousness makes the Tlatelolco urban farm a role model for urban agriculture, especially in areas where conflict has been present.
Want to learn from Gaby and other urban farming experts transforming our present and future?
