Biosistemas 

From the Argentine Club of Rome we work in projects with systemic approaches in informal settlements in the City of Buenos Aires, developing 3 Urban Biosystems in the last 5 years, in Villa 15, Villa 20, and Villa 21-24. 

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What is an Urban Biosystem?  

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An Urban Biosystem aims to emulate the circular functioning of natural ecosystems for the design, development and operation of urban centers. Urban centers are characterized by a linear functioning and the generation of waste that is not reintroduced into the biological cycle. On the contrary, a biosystem seeks to integrate biological subsystems so that the waste generated in one subsystem is used by the next. In other words, it converts a waste into an input for the generation of a new product with greater added value.  

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The Biosystems project contemplated the integral transition to sustainability of 3 community kitchens by addressing waste treatment from an innovative, integral and ecosystem perspective. Emphasizing the importance of a socio-environmental approach, the incorporation of technologies was accompanied by community awareness and training activities to (1) promote new habits and the appropriation of new technological, cultural and symbolic capital; (2) create new professional capabilities and skills; and (3) generate, through open activities, a bridge of integration between the formal and informal city.  
 

Each biosystem included the installation of a solar collector; the incorporation of a biodigester and a composter; the development of an urban and communal vegetable garden in crates; the production of edible mushrooms from cellulosic waste; the equipment of a hydroponic vegetable garden; the incorporation of a rainwater collection system, the use of a photovoltaic solar system; the incorporation of a collection point for recyclables and used vegetable oils; the replacement of lighting fixtures with LED technology and the use of sustainable furniture; thus strengthening community capacities for food, energy and water autonomy -including the management and in-situ treatment of organic waste- using a circular logic. 
 

In addition, during the development of the project, the active participation of women, mainly young mothers and/or migrants, was prioritized through the granting of scholarships and the provision of activities for children.

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