The author of this article analyzes and evaluates the original project of the pedestrian side streets by the Municipality of Providencia and the development of said project from 1970 and the following 30 years, also the normative changes caused by the completion of the project are examined here. The process of opening these pedestrian streets has had continuity through time, being able to adapt to the political changes and the considerable economic fluctuations. Some of the factors that have made possible this process are: the municipal technical team that was visionary and pragmatic and also had the political back up of the ones in power. There has been a constant persecution of the fundamental goals of the project and also there has been flexibility to adapt to the normative factors and the places where the intervention was originally planned. ; Respecto del proceso de apertura de pasajes peatonales ejecutados por la comuna de Providencia a partir de 1970, se expone y evalúa la propuesta inicial versus su desarrollo durante los últimos treinta años, al tiempo que se examinan los cambios normativos que la operación ha desencadenado. Destaca la continuidad del proceso en el tiempo, que ha podido adaptarse a los cambios políticos y a los no menos importantes vaivenes económicos del país. Un conjunto de factores parecen haber hecho posible este proceso: un equipo técnico municipal visionario y pragmático con respaldo político de la autoridad, implementando una gestión urbana que ha aunado constancia para la persecución de los objetivos fundamentales y flexibilidad para la adaptación de la normativa y de los lugares de intervención planificados originalmente.
ABSTRACT Objective: To gather some knowledge on maize landraces evolution within Juchitepec municipality, as well as describe and analyze those strategies carried out by peasant families in its use and conservation. Design/methodology/approach: A survey on 20 farmers from Juchitepec municipality was carried out, they were randomly sampled from "Producción para el bienestar" state program beneficiaries list. Additionally, a series of key informants semi-structured interviews were taken prior to the survey in order to address the main topics of importance in relation to maize within the region. Results: The studied population presented an advanced age (=61), nonetheless some young farmers has an important role within their production units. 75% own less than 6 Ha, mostly on ejido land. 89% maintains maize landraces cultivation. This task is achieved through adapting their practices and knowledge to specific conditions on cropfields. Some adjustments are made i.e.: changing sowing date, using different varieties or species, alternating crop fields. 17% grows hybrid maize varieties. Two native introduced landraces were identified, Ancho y Cacahuacintle, as a way of improving farmers' income. Some practices like the "de dos" cultivation are suffering changes as a result of machinery and economic resources availability. 100% of farmers use chemical fertilizers and herbicides. Commercialization of corn husk is an important economic activity. Seed exchange is frecuent, commonly between same community members. Ozumba market represents an important commercialization channel for native maize. Government settled prices for maize in 2019 weren´t high enough for native maize. Juchitepec farmers don´t get organized for maize production purposes. 65% consider themselves campesinos. Limitations on study/implications: Local agrarian system studies focused on peasant strategies should consider changes in behavior of peasants under different circumstances in order to better understand its adaptability. Findings/conclusions: Native maize survives within Juchitepec region sustained by peasants through knowledge and strategies applied on the reproduction and recreation of this varieties. Peasant strategies strengthen native maize conservation. Keywords: in situ conservation, plant genetic resources, traditional knowledge ; Objective: To determine the evolution that native corn has had in the municipality of Juchitepec, as well as to describe and analyze the strategies that peasants families are currently implementing for its use and conservation. Design/methodology/approach: A survey was carried out with 20 peasants in the municipality of Juchitepec, chosen from a random sample obtained from the register of the Producción para el Bienestar program. Additionally, a series of semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informants, in order to identify the most important issues around corn in the region. Results: An elderly population was found (=61), but with some young people working decisively in its production units. Seventy-five percent own less than 6 ha, mostly communal land property. Eighty-nine percent of the farmers interviewed continue to grow native corn. They achieve this by adapting their practices and knowledge to the soil and climate conditions of their plots, modifying, for example, the sowing date, the variety or species cultivated, and the place of cultivation. Seventeen percent grow hybrid corn. Two native varieties have recently been introduced as a strategy to obtain greater profitability: ancho and cacahuacintle. Some practices are being modified based on the equipment and the economic resources available, such as the "de dos" labor that only 50% of the farmers carry out. Eighty percent do not have agricultural equipment. The use of chemical fertilizers and herbicides is widespread. The sale of corn husks is an economically important activity. Peasants frequently exchange seeds, usually with other members of their own community. The Ozumba market represents a vitally important marketing channel for native corn. The guaranteed prices established in 2019 were low for this type of corn. Peasants are not formally organized for corn cultivation. Sixty-five percent consider themselves peasants. Study limitations/implications: The study of local agrarian systems with a focus on peasant strategies should contemplate acting under different circumstances, preferably in several work cycles, to better understand their adaptability. Findings/conclusions: Native corn survives in the region, preserved in a socio-productive system based on peasant knowledges, strategies and socio-technical practices that enable its reproduction and recreation. Peasant strategies for the cultivation and use of these corns strengthen their conservation.
