History of Chinampas
What is a Chinampa?
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Chinampas are an historical example of a sustainable social-ecological system, that utilize raised fields built on water canals. They were used extensively in South America before the Spanish Conquest. Our research however, focuses on chinampas used to feed the growing Aztec Empire.
The Aztec empire was situated in the wetlands of Basin of Mexico. They were able to cultivate the wetlands extremely effectively through chinampa agriculture. First, canals were made dug throughout the wetland areas. Raised-fields were then constructed between them. Their unique design and location reduced the need to water while and created soils so fertile they never needed to lay fallow but were able to produce an abundance of diverse crops. This greatly enhanced the Aztec food supply and aided in the growth of their cities. But here's the kicker: unlike modern agricultural they are highly sustainable because they didn't degrade the environment. In fact, the fertile soils helped feed surrounding marine life and increased the bio-availability of the canals. Thereby, creating a sustainable social-ecological agricultural system. Unfortunately, the agricultural system was slowly wiped due to the change in political power after the Spanish Conquest, so lets bring it back! |
Use in New Orleans |
The beauty of the chinampas system is the flexibility of design. There are two ways chinampas could be used in the wetlands surrounding New Orleans.
1. They could be used to build up and reconstruct decayed brackish water wetland ecosystems by planting them with indigenous plant life. 2. They could be built in freshwater estuary systems, lakes or rivers as sustainable agricultural systems, as chinampas were traditionally used. This would create new quasi-wetland areas. Either application would increase landmass capable of supporting vegetation, which is essential for a reconstruction and protection from storm surges during severe storm events such as those experience during Hurricane Katrina. |
Michelle Packer, David Aue, Brandon Utterback, Chloe Hobbie
Site maintained by Michelle Packer
Contact email: [email protected]
Sustainability and Collapse: Can the Past Inform the Future?
University of Texas, Arlington
2013
Site maintained by Michelle Packer
Contact email: [email protected]
Sustainability and Collapse: Can the Past Inform the Future?
University of Texas, Arlington
2013