Mexico City’s small urban farms, known as chinampas, utilize a unique agricultural method that involves bringing land to water, contrasting with traditional farming practices that typically bring water to land.
The chinampas date back approximately a thousand years to the Aztec civilization, which constructed rectangular fields on lakes to cultivate food for Tenochtitlan. At their peak, there were tens of thousands of chinampas arranged in grids with canals in between, although many were lost following the Spanish conquest in 1521.
Today, chinampas continue to thrive in the Xochimilco neighborhood of southern Mexico City, primarily operated as family businesses that grow heirloom crops such as lettuce, radishes, and dahlias. These farms are gaining renewed attention as climate change and droughts challenge conventional agricultural practices.
A team of Mexican designers, landscapers, and farmers is working to adapt the chinampa concept for broader use, with plans to recreate a chinampa for Mexico’s pavilion at the upcoming Architecture Biennale in Venice. Lucio Usobiaga, a team member, emphasized the design’s collective benefits for both people and the environment.
The pavilion aligns with the biennale’s theme, “Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective,” which showcases innovative design solutions to climate change. The chinampas exemplify a harmonious relationship between human-made and natural systems, requiring collaboration among farmers, policymakers, and tourists.
Both Venice and Xochimilco, which were designated UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1987, share similarities in their reliance on water and face challenges from tourism. While Venice is known for its gondolas, Xochimilco features trajineras, colorful boats that transport visitors through its canals.
The reconstruction of a chinampa at the biennale will be a scaled-down version compared to traditional ones, featuring a working garden with vegetables, flowers, and herbs. The exhibition aims to educate visitors about chinampa farming techniques and the importance of agro-forestry practices.
Despite the challenges of replicating chinampas on a larger scale, the exhibition team believes in the potential for small-scale adaptations that can enhance urban agriculture. They acknowledge the economic difficulties faced by small farms, including low yields and labor challenges, which deter younger generations from pursuing agricultural work.
While many chinampas in Xochimilco remain unused, some have been repurposed for community activities. The team sees the chinampa system as an inspiration for integrating nature with urban environments, suggesting that even small-scale interventions can contribute to sustainable food sources.
Architect Jachen Schleich highlighted the possibility of individuals implementing similar concepts in their own spaces, promoting local food production and fostering community connections.