La ordenación y gestión de las Huertas mediterráneas españolasEl tiempo de la(s) política(s)

Abstract

Spanish Mediterranean Huertas face an uncertain future. They are affected by several processes that exert pressure of them, namely, the reduction of the traditional surface, a loss of profitability, low perspectives for generational renewal, pollution, non-agricultural land uses, like industrial activities and infrastructures, and the conversion of rural land into land suitable for urban development. Public administrations with jurisdiction over the Huertas have long permitted or encouraged these processes. None of them has had enough political will so as to adopt territorial plans and coordination strategies at the metropolitan scale to guarantee the protection of these peri-urban singular spaces. The conservation of Huertas requires a new understanding of water culture, landscape and territory. For them to be kept alive, farmers should be their main actors. Future possibilities include organic agriculture and farming to satisfy urban demand, education and tourism. Sometimes farmers will have to play a social function different from the traditional one. In this context, a new social contract with farmers will be needed.