Urban Agriculture as an agent of socio-environmental transformation

Sustainable food production and consumption are critical societal demands all around the world. In an era of scarcity of natural resources, frequent climate change, and a society heavily hit by food insecurity, expanding access to and supply of food with less environmental impact while reducing losses and waste should be a priority. Urban agriculture emerges as a potential solution to a number of interconnected issues in urban systems, including waste management, health, land use, the possibility of reducing distances between production and consumption, the use of open spaces in the city, the disposal of household garbage, and the generation of occupational activity with subsequent income generation. Furthermore, it can actively impact in city adaptation to climate change and sanitary crises, such as the present COVID-19 pandemic. The Agroecological Pavilion aims to combine the commercialization of affordable food with uses aimed at education and professionalization in a building lined on the premises of sustainable architecture and open to community participation in order to reduce negative environmental impacts, food insecurity, and food waste. Additionally, it enables a generator of employability, income, and education targeted for people who are in social vulnerability.