Alamar, Cuba - INTI - International New Town Institute


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Alamar, Cuba
Urban Agriculture provides 95% of vegetables

Alamar (Cuba) has become known worldwide for its large plantations in the centre of the city, which provide for 95% of all vegetables consumed in Alamar, while bringing social cohesion for the communities.

Alamar is a satellite city of Havana, Cuba, built during the 1970s. This prefab city started out as the embodiment of the communist spirit but fell into decay after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989. However, with original master plans for the central zone left unexecuted, Alamar has unintentionally grown into a unique case of urban planning, intertwined with urban agriculture. Out of necessity, people have developed the open plots in the centre into large scale urban gardens (orgaponico’s) which now play an essential role in local food production. Closely connected to the local universities and knowledge organisations, organic agriculture has reached pinnacles, which are considered exemplary by international experts.

  • Unique and successful example of urban agriculture, intertwined with urban planning
  • Social cohesion brought forth by the urban gardens