The decision to embrace urban agriculture in Madrid is not merely an aesthetic choice; it’s a strategic move to tackle pressing environmental and social challenges. Following the lead of pioneering cities like Amsterdam, Paris, Berlin, and Havana, the Spanish capital is gradually integrating initiatives that aim to feed its residents with locally grown produce and transform its urban landscape. This shift represents a broader recognition of the multifaceted benefits that green infrastructure can bring, extending beyond mere beautification to address critical issues such as air quality, noise pollution, and community cohesion.
A Growing Trend: From Balconies to Skyscrapers
The dream of cultivating a garden, even a small tomato plant on a Madrid balcony, is becoming a reality for many. As pollution continues to be a significant concern, the city is witnessing a surge in initiatives such as community rooftop gardens, educational programs in schools that teach children about growing vegetables, and facades adorned with vertical gardens. Julián Briz, Emeritus Professor at the Polytechnic University of Madrid and President of the Spanish Society for the Promotion of Urban and Rural Greening (Pronatur), highlights several prominent examples. He mentions a green roof on one of the four skyscrapers in the former Real Madrid sports city and another at Terminal 4 of the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, though not publicly accessible. More notably, Briz points to the Caixaforum wall on Castellana, designed by a Parisian professor, and the Hotel Santo Domingo in Callao, which boasts a Guinness World Record-holding facade featuring a waterfall and nesting birds.
Pronatur, an academic-business association inspired by the University of Berlin, plays a crucial role in advocating for green infrastructures. “We created an urban agriculture observatory, conducting doctoral theses, research projects, and collaborating with the World Green Infrastructure Association. In Madrid, we are working on projects with the City Council and will soon publish a green guide to the city, compiling all green spaces, from ornamental gardening to food production,” Briz explains. He notes that urban agriculture in the capital has historical roots, with Madrid’s patron saint, San Isidro, being a farmer whose orchards were once on the periphery, now integrated into the city center. However, demographic and real estate growth largely led to their disappearance.
The Multifaceted Benefits of Urban Greening
While Madrid has lagged behind other European capitals like Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and Berlin in this regard, there’s a renewed interest in urban agriculture due to its multifunctional benefits. Briz emphasizes that these green spaces not only enhance the landscape and contribute to food production but also significantly improve air quality and mitigate noise pollution. “It has been proven that green walls on the street make the lower floors less noisy than the upper ones. Plants absorb part of the sound,” he asserts. Despite the perception, Briz argues that Madrid is one of the greenest cities in the world in terms of green space per inhabitant, thanks to its extensive parks like Retiro, Parque del Oeste, Casa de Campo, and Monte de El Pardo.
However, Briz acknowledges a disparity: “We have parks like Retiro or Parque del Oeste, but also larger spaces like Casa de Campo or Monte de El Pardo. However, there is an imbalance, as these are not accessible to the individual.” He advocates for the ’15-minute city’ concept, championed by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, where residents can access all basic necessities, including local food, within a 15-minute radius of their homes. “The only thing that can compensate for this is a green roof available to all residents. The new distribution of Plaza de España was designed with this concept in mind,” he adds. Even iconic locations like Retiro Park and universities such as Complutense and Polytechnic now feature their own gardens, offering citizens opportunities to learn about cultivation.
Community Engagement and Policy Gaps
Briz points to Amsterdam as a prime example of successful community engagement, where the city provides plants and care instructions to residents, who are then responsible for watering them. Each street is assigned a different color, and support is readily available for any issues. Tree maintenance is often handled by building porters. According to Briz, Madrid residents show a strong willingness to embrace such initiatives. A study in various districts revealed that many residents desire community gardens, viewing them as vital social spaces, especially in an era of isolation. “It’s easier to communicate with someone 10,000 kilometers away than with your neighbor. I visited some communities with vegetable gardens. They met on weekends to take care of them. It’s also intergenerational. It’s important for children to know what it means to plant and understand the value of food,” he explains.
Despite this enthusiasm, Briz laments the lack of “forceful decisions” in Madrid. He cites the example of Humanes, where residents can rent up to 110 plots in a 12,000-square-meter area for 300 euros a year. “People exercise and take care of their physical and mental health. Projects like this could be successful in the center of Madrid. There are many unused arable lands. Mayors just need to take the initiative,” he insists. Berlin offers another compelling model, where a sewage tax is levied based on the building’s roof surface. Buildings with green roofs, which retain water, are exempt from this tax, demonstrating a clear incentive for greening. This preference for green roofs is also evident in international cities like Oslo, where properties with vegetated rooftops are significantly more expensive, and Havana, where gardens are replaced by productive urban farms.
Global Perspectives and Future Potential
The produce harvested from these urban farms is often consumed directly by residents, with surplus available for purchase by others, albeit with limitations. For cities like Havana, which have faced numerous crises, urban agriculture has become a symbol of survival, providing fresh food when traditional supply chains are disrupted. China presents a unique case, with towering skyscrapers dedicated solely to plant cultivation and even pig farming across different floors. In Spain, surveyors are exploring the possibility of integrating greenhouses on terraces to capture and purify boiler fumes, further enhancing air quality. Ultimately, incorporating these peri-urban gardens in Madrid would bring fresh produce closer to residents. Briz himself buys directly from farmers online, highlighting a complementary model to traditional agriculture.
The integration of urban agriculture into Madrid’s urban planning is a complex yet promising endeavor. It requires not only the willingness of citizens but also decisive policy-making and strategic investments from city authorities. The examples from other global cities demonstrate that with appropriate incentives, regulations, and community support, urban agriculture can play a pivotal role in creating healthier, more sustainable, and more resilient urban environments. Madrid has the potential to transform its cityscape into a vibrant network of green spaces, offering both ecological benefits and a stronger sense of community for its residents.
