Mexico City's historic chinampas, floating gardens built by the Aztecs, are losing ground as urban expansion and economic pressures push farmers to abandon these centuries-old practices.
Mariana Martínez Barba and Julián Trejo Bax report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Once central to Aztec agriculture, the chinampas now compete with soccer fields and tourist attractions as many farmers shift to more profitable land uses.
- Local collectives like Chinampa Refuge, supported by Mexico’s National Autonomous University, are working to preserve the gardens and market their produce with special “Etiqueta Chinampera” tags to boost local sales.
- Officials are considering regulations to protect these World Heritage-listed sites, as fertilizers and chemicals on new sports fields threaten the chinampas' unique ecosystems.
Key quote:
“It’s just as damaging because the amount of chemicals that are used...is very, very large.”
— Luis Zambrano, ecologist
Why this matters:
The chinampas are not only a living connection to Mexico’s agricultural heritage but also support biodiversity and cooler temperatures in a city plagued by pollution and rising heat. Preserving these gardens highlights the challenge of balancing cultural heritage and environmental health amid rapid urbanization.
Related: Mexico City's water crisis deepens amid urban growth and climate change
