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Growing buildings in corn fields: Urban expansion and the persistence of maize in the Toluca Metropolitan Area, Mexico

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  • Amy Lerner

    (Rutgers University, USA)

  • Stuart Sweeney

    (University of California, Santa Barbara, USA)

  • Hallie Eakin

    (Arizona State University, USA)

Abstract

Urban growth continues to rise globally, especially in and around small cities and peri-urban areas of the developing world. In Mexico, a culture of maize production still exists alongside rapid urban and industrial growth, which exemplifies a hybridized urban-rural landscape. This paper discusses a study of household land-use and livelihood strategies in the Toluca Metropolitan Area, west of Mexico City, a traditional maize-growing region that has experienced rapid urban growth. Logistic regression combined with ethnographic data illustrate that maize is being abandoned to some extent as producers age and non-farm income sources surge. At the same time, some maize still persists for tradition and security as non-farm income is often volatile. Our results reflect a persistence of maize in peri-urban areas of central Mexico, which should not be ignored by policy and planning.

Suggested Citation

  • Amy Lerner & Stuart Sweeney & Hallie Eakin, 2014. "Growing buildings in corn fields: Urban expansion and the persistence of maize in the Toluca Metropolitan Area, Mexico," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 51(10), pages 2185-2201, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:51:y:2014:i:10:p:2185-2201
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098013506064
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. S. Wiggins & N. Keilbach & K. Preibisch & S. Proctor & G. R. Herrejon & G. R. Munoz, 2002. "DISCUSSION - Agricultural Policy Reform and Rural Livelihoods in Central Mexico," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 38(4), pages 179-202.
    2. de Janvry, Alain & Sadoulet, Elisabeth & de Anda, Gustavo Gordillo, 1995. "NAFTA and Mexico's maize producers," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 23(8), pages 1349-1362, August.
    3. Gillian Hart, 2010. "Redrawing the Map of the World? Reflections on the," Economic Geography, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 86(4), pages 341-350, October.
    4. Hallie Eakin & Kirsten Appendini, 2008. "Livelihood change, farming, and managing flood risk in the Lerma Valley, Mexico," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 25(4), pages 555-566, December.
    5. Gillian Hart, 2010. "Redrawing the Map of the World? Reflections on the World Development Report 2009," Economic Geography, Clark University, vol. 86(4), pages 341-350, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Eakin, Hallie & Appendini, Kirsten & Sweeney, Stuart & Perales, Hugo, 2015. "Correlates of Maize Land and Livelihood Change Among Maize Farming Households in Mexico," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 78-91.

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