Abstract
The recent interest in planning horticultural gardens in urban and peri‐urban areas in Portugal, confronts us with incongruent effects, a tricky situation that generates controversial discussions. On the one hand, we can accept wholeheartedly the setting up of infrastructure, such as water, sheds for tools, rainwater catchments and fences, but on the other hand it is regrettable that
people who always worked a certain plot of land, although possibly illegally, must often look for an alternative location, because either they do not know how to apply for a plot, they do not want to accept the regulations inherent to the planned horticultural park, or they refuse to pay to go on using
the plot. This creates a gentrification of the gardeners associated with the planning and legalization of the plots that has not been properly studied. This affects mainly immigrants and older people, who work informally plots that they do not own, but which are fundamental to their self‐sufficiency even if
only partially. These plots are usually located along the main roads around the larger cities, and these gardeners are often blamed for producing products that are polluted by the fumes expelled by the vehicles and by the sewage water used in irrigation.
The paper will discuss as to what can be done so that CPUL’s can continue to fulfill the strategic task to feed the cities and do not become a mere playground for the middle classes and will give good examples on how to contribute to social inclusion.
people who always worked a certain plot of land, although possibly illegally, must often look for an alternative location, because either they do not know how to apply for a plot, they do not want to accept the regulations inherent to the planned horticultural park, or they refuse to pay to go on using
the plot. This creates a gentrification of the gardeners associated with the planning and legalization of the plots that has not been properly studied. This affects mainly immigrants and older people, who work informally plots that they do not own, but which are fundamental to their self‐sufficiency even if
only partially. These plots are usually located along the main roads around the larger cities, and these gardeners are often blamed for producing products that are polluted by the fumes expelled by the vehicles and by the sewage water used in irrigation.
The paper will discuss as to what can be done so that CPUL’s can continue to fulfill the strategic task to feed the cities and do not become a mere playground for the middle classes and will give good examples on how to contribute to social inclusion.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Farming cities and performing rurality, 7th International AESOP Sustainable Food Planning Conference Proceedings |
| Place of Publication | Torino |
| Publisher | Politecnico di Torino |
| Pages | 414‐426 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-88-8202-060-6 |
| Publication status | Published - 2015 |
