In Havana, urban farming started as a necessity. With the break up of the Soviet Union, Cuba lost 75% of its imports, including oil and its derivatives: fertilizers, agro products. With the Helmut Burns act, Cuba lost 85% of its exports, mainly sugar cane to the US. The lessons learned: Cannot depend on oil for food production, much less if its foreign, and the production must be diverse.

In 1993 people started growing food where they could out of necessity, roofs, terrraces, vacant lots. In 1995 the government realized this was a major force and it was worth channeling it as part of the system. Now, Havana is said to produce up to 60% of its internal production, all within a 5 km radius from the city center. 

See this 8 minute clip from the BBC's "Around the World in 80 Gardens" (2008) 

 

Urban Agriculture in Havana

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Art is a good tool to bring a community together. Citizens in Havana get organized around their CDRs (community building blocks) for many aspects of daily lives, from democracy to medical attention, childcare and the arts.

The neighborhood of reknown artist Fuster is a great example of what an individual can achieve to bring an identity to his/her community, while reinforcing the bonds between the members and educating the youth.

The neighborhood of cooperative Muraleando is an excellent example of the ability of art to empower community and strengthen the social capital within it.