The prize was created to inspire sustainable urban transformation across the world and the city of Rosario is a perfect example of that idea.
After Argentina's economic melt down in 2001, the municipality of Rosario put a lot of time and effort into sustainable food production. It could never have predicted how beneficial it would be in the future.
When the country's economy collapsed twenty years ago, over half of Rosario's residents dropped below the poverty line while having to try to cope with food shortages and skyrocketing prices. The city was also having to try and deal with floods and heatwaves, both of which had probably been exacerbated by climate change.
The municipality created the Urban Agriculture Program, which turned vacant land into urban food gardens where low-income residents can cultivate food. They are helped along by receiving tools, materials, seeds and training to help locals grow food without chemicals.
Today, the program has over 300 urban farmers, alleviates food scarcity and provides economic opportunities for many residents. It's a cornerstone of the city's climate action plan.
Now the programme has won the prestigious global environmental 'WRI Ross Center Prize for Cities' for its innovative approach to tackling climate change and urban inequality.