School of Collective Care
A secondary school courtyard as a space for nurturing a sense of collective belonging
"School of Collective Care" reimagines a secondary school courtyard as a dynamic space for learning, play, and community life. Starting with a re-design that offers students a brand-new open area, the project extends beyond the school gates. A shared orchard invites locals to care for nature, while a dedicated space hosts community-led events, strengthening social ties. More than a schoolyard, it’s a place where education, sustainability, and collective belonging come to life.
Italy
Marcignago Secondary School
Piazza Municipio – 27020 Marcignago (PV)
Piazza Municipio – 27020 Marcignago (PV)
Early initiative
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
018086: Marcignago (IT)
The School of Collective Care is an urban regeneration initiative transforming the secondary school courtyard in Marcignago, a small municipality in the Province of Pavia, into a civic infrastructure of care that fosters education, sustainability and social cohesion. Facing an aging population and weakening community ties, Marcignago’s centrally located yet underutilized schoolyard presents a strategic opportunity to serve both educational and civic purposes. The project builds on a 2024 partnership between the Municipality of Marcignago and the University of Pavia, ensuring a research-driven, locally embedded transformation that benefits both students and residents.
The initiative redefines the schoolyard as a shared, intergenerational space for outdoor learning, recreation, and cultural exchange. It unfolds in three phases: Lot 1 (€60,000, municipally funded) focuses on accessibility, new vegetation and an open-air classroom to enhance experiential learning. Lot 2 (seeking additional funding) will introduce gender-inclusive sports and recreational facilities, ensuring equitable access to physical activity. Lot 3 (proposed for NEB funding) envisions a community-managed biodiversity hub integrating a shared orchard and a gathering space that fosters intergenerational engagement through cultural and educational activities.
A key aspect of the project is building as a social ritual, where the transformation of the space is achieved through participatory construction workshops. Students, families and citizens will engage in co-creating and maintaining the space, fostering a sense of belonging and long-term stewardship. By embedding sustainability principles, such as water-sensitive design and nature-based solutions, the project strengthens climate resilience while promoting hands-on environmental education.
The initiative redefines the schoolyard as a shared, intergenerational space for outdoor learning, recreation, and cultural exchange. It unfolds in three phases: Lot 1 (€60,000, municipally funded) focuses on accessibility, new vegetation and an open-air classroom to enhance experiential learning. Lot 2 (seeking additional funding) will introduce gender-inclusive sports and recreational facilities, ensuring equitable access to physical activity. Lot 3 (proposed for NEB funding) envisions a community-managed biodiversity hub integrating a shared orchard and a gathering space that fosters intergenerational engagement through cultural and educational activities.
A key aspect of the project is building as a social ritual, where the transformation of the space is achieved through participatory construction workshops. Students, families and citizens will engage in co-creating and maintaining the space, fostering a sense of belonging and long-term stewardship. By embedding sustainability principles, such as water-sensitive design and nature-based solutions, the project strengthens climate resilience while promoting hands-on environmental education.
Civic infrastructure of care
Intergenerational engagement
Community-managed biodiversity hub
Hands-on climate education
Building as a social ritual
The School of Collective Care advances environmental sustainability through nature-based solutions and climate-responsive infrastructure. Lot 3, proposed for NEB funding, will establish a community-managed biodiversity hub, integrating a shared orchard, pollinator-friendly green spaces and co-built facilities to foster ecological stewardship and intergenerational learning.
A key component of Lot 3 is the adaptive reuse of two repurposed containers, transformed into a Baking Home ("La Casa del Pane") and a community kitchen. These modular structures reduce material waste and embodied carbon while incorporating passive cooling and natural ventilation ensuring energy efficiency. Designed as a hub for food literacy and low-tech sustainable practices, they encourage hands-on climate education, where students and citizens engage in activities that enable low-impact living and climate responsible resource management.
The project also integrates water-sensitive urban design, featuring a rainwater harvesting system that collects runoff from the school gym roof to irrigate the orchard and green spaces. This decentralized approach reduces dependence on municipal water supplies and fosters awareness of climate-adaptive strategies.
To promote circular economy principles, the initiative includes raised bed planters built from recycled wood and prioritizes soil permeability to prevent runoff and enhance groundwater recharge.
The biodiversity hub, developed in collaboration with the Plant Germplasm Bank at the Pavia Botanical Garden, will support native and endangered species, strengthening ecological resilience while serving as a platform for environmental education.
By embedding community-driven urban greening, regenerative planting and experiential learning, the School of Collective Care functions as a living laboratory, where students and citizens collectively shape a climate-resilient urban environment.
A key component of Lot 3 is the adaptive reuse of two repurposed containers, transformed into a Baking Home ("La Casa del Pane") and a community kitchen. These modular structures reduce material waste and embodied carbon while incorporating passive cooling and natural ventilation ensuring energy efficiency. Designed as a hub for food literacy and low-tech sustainable practices, they encourage hands-on climate education, where students and citizens engage in activities that enable low-impact living and climate responsible resource management.
The project also integrates water-sensitive urban design, featuring a rainwater harvesting system that collects runoff from the school gym roof to irrigate the orchard and green spaces. This decentralized approach reduces dependence on municipal water supplies and fosters awareness of climate-adaptive strategies.
To promote circular economy principles, the initiative includes raised bed planters built from recycled wood and prioritizes soil permeability to prevent runoff and enhance groundwater recharge.
The biodiversity hub, developed in collaboration with the Plant Germplasm Bank at the Pavia Botanical Garden, will support native and endangered species, strengthening ecological resilience while serving as a platform for environmental education.
By embedding community-driven urban greening, regenerative planting and experiential learning, the School of Collective Care functions as a living laboratory, where students and citizens collectively shape a climate-resilient urban environment.
The School of Collective Care reimagines the school garden as an aesthetically engaging and interactive environment, where low-tech, collectively built spatial devices shape new forms of social interaction and shared ownership. Inspired by Van Eyck’s playgrounds and more recent design research by “Make Space for Girls”, the design fosters imaginative engagement, collaboration and inclusivity, ensuring that both students and the wider community experience a sense of belonging.
Central to the project is the aesthetic of collective making, where handcrafted, low-tech structures—including modular seating, shading devices, raised planters, and interactive play elements—are co-built through participatory workshops. This process aligns with Sennett’s vision of craft as a social act, where the shared act of building deepens connections between individuals and their environment. It also embodies "building as a social ritual", reinforcing how hands-on, collaborative construction fosters care and long-term stewardship. The visible traces of human labor—hand-finished wood, woven shading canopies, and earth-based textures—give the space an authentic, tactile quality, emphasizing a deep relationship between makers and their surroundings.
The material palette is simple yet expressive, prioritizing locally sourced, low-impact materials that evolve over time. Exposed timber, recycled brick, and natural fibers integrate harmoniously with seasonal landscaping, creating a dynamic aesthetic experience that shifts with light, weather, and the changing seasons. The beauty of imperfection and adaptability defines the space, moving away from static, over-imposed environments toward ever-changing landscapes. Community-driven artistic interventions, such as hand-painted murals and collaborative garden structures, anchor the site in local identity, transforming it into a living canvas of shared narratives.
Central to the project is the aesthetic of collective making, where handcrafted, low-tech structures—including modular seating, shading devices, raised planters, and interactive play elements—are co-built through participatory workshops. This process aligns with Sennett’s vision of craft as a social act, where the shared act of building deepens connections between individuals and their environment. It also embodies "building as a social ritual", reinforcing how hands-on, collaborative construction fosters care and long-term stewardship. The visible traces of human labor—hand-finished wood, woven shading canopies, and earth-based textures—give the space an authentic, tactile quality, emphasizing a deep relationship between makers and their surroundings.
The material palette is simple yet expressive, prioritizing locally sourced, low-impact materials that evolve over time. Exposed timber, recycled brick, and natural fibers integrate harmoniously with seasonal landscaping, creating a dynamic aesthetic experience that shifts with light, weather, and the changing seasons. The beauty of imperfection and adaptability defines the space, moving away from static, over-imposed environments toward ever-changing landscapes. Community-driven artistic interventions, such as hand-painted murals and collaborative garden structures, anchor the site in local identity, transforming it into a living canvas of shared narratives.
The initiative fosters participatory governance, engaging students, teachers and community members through co-design workshops and ongoing co-management. This community-driven model empowers residents to shape and maintain the space, reinforcing a new societal model of collective care that integrates public, private and the civic society.
Accessibility and affordability for all are central to the project. The schoolyard remains open beyond school hours, offering a free, universally accessible space. All infrastructure follows universal design principles, with step-free access, inclusive and adaptable play areas and varied seating for different mobility and sensory needs. Inspired by Make Space for Girls, the project intentionally challenges gender imbalances by designing recreational areas and sports facilities that welcome all users, addressing inequalities in how public spaces are typically designed and used.
The initiative also fosters intergenerational inclusion through hands-on cultural activities. The Baking Home and community kitchen enable bread-making and shared meals, promoting knowledge exchange between younger and older generations. Community-led activities, such as gardening, storytelling and artisanal workshops, provide spaces for skill-sharing and social cohesion, ensuring that people of all ages can contribute and connect.
Local organizations, including Pro Loco Marcignago and ACLI Marcignago, and private-sector partners such as Algeco, which supports the adaptive reuse of modular structures, play a key role in mobilizing participation and ensuring long-term sustainability of the initiative. This public-private-civic collaboration enhances the project’s resilience and adaptability.
By combining inclusive design, participatory governance, and cross-sector collaboration, the School of Collective Care is an exemplary model of community-driven urban regeneration, where public space fosters accessibility, inclusion, and collective well-being.
Accessibility and affordability for all are central to the project. The schoolyard remains open beyond school hours, offering a free, universally accessible space. All infrastructure follows universal design principles, with step-free access, inclusive and adaptable play areas and varied seating for different mobility and sensory needs. Inspired by Make Space for Girls, the project intentionally challenges gender imbalances by designing recreational areas and sports facilities that welcome all users, addressing inequalities in how public spaces are typically designed and used.
The initiative also fosters intergenerational inclusion through hands-on cultural activities. The Baking Home and community kitchen enable bread-making and shared meals, promoting knowledge exchange between younger and older generations. Community-led activities, such as gardening, storytelling and artisanal workshops, provide spaces for skill-sharing and social cohesion, ensuring that people of all ages can contribute and connect.
Local organizations, including Pro Loco Marcignago and ACLI Marcignago, and private-sector partners such as Algeco, which supports the adaptive reuse of modular structures, play a key role in mobilizing participation and ensuring long-term sustainability of the initiative. This public-private-civic collaboration enhances the project’s resilience and adaptability.
By combining inclusive design, participatory governance, and cross-sector collaboration, the School of Collective Care is an exemplary model of community-driven urban regeneration, where public space fosters accessibility, inclusion, and collective well-being.
The School of Collective Care is a community-driven initiative that places citizen participation at its core, ensuring that those who benefit from the transformation of the schoolyard are actively involved in shaping its design and long-term management. Following NEB principles, the project adopts a co-creation process that engages the school community, local residents, civil society organizations, and private stakeholders in both decision-making and implementation.
Since October 2024, teachers and pupils have been directly involved in the preliminary design phases through collective mapping workshops and the Desire-List Serious Play method, identifying needs and ambitions, particularly for Lots 1 and 2. These activities allowed them to express aspirations, test spatial configurations and define priorities, ensuring the transformed schoolyard supports both educational and social life. In January 2025, an informal presentation shared the initial design proposals with the broader community, strengthening transparency and collective dialogue.
The participatory process will continue through structured engagement, ensuring that public, private and civic stakeholders contribute to shaping the space. Dedicated stakeholder roundtables will define how different uses and functions coexist, while broader community workshops will finalize the design and train citizens to construct spatial devices. The building process itself is a key social ritual, fostering a sense of ownership, care and long-term stewardship among those who create and maintain the space.
By embedding participatory governance, hands-on construction and intergenerational engagement, the initiative ensures that citizens are not just beneficiaries but active co-creators, making the schoolyard a replicable model for socially cohesive, environmentally responsible, and financially resilient urban regeneration.
Since October 2024, teachers and pupils have been directly involved in the preliminary design phases through collective mapping workshops and the Desire-List Serious Play method, identifying needs and ambitions, particularly for Lots 1 and 2. These activities allowed them to express aspirations, test spatial configurations and define priorities, ensuring the transformed schoolyard supports both educational and social life. In January 2025, an informal presentation shared the initial design proposals with the broader community, strengthening transparency and collective dialogue.
The participatory process will continue through structured engagement, ensuring that public, private and civic stakeholders contribute to shaping the space. Dedicated stakeholder roundtables will define how different uses and functions coexist, while broader community workshops will finalize the design and train citizens to construct spatial devices. The building process itself is a key social ritual, fostering a sense of ownership, care and long-term stewardship among those who create and maintain the space.
By embedding participatory governance, hands-on construction and intergenerational engagement, the initiative ensures that citizens are not just beneficiaries but active co-creators, making the schoolyard a replicable model for socially cohesive, environmentally responsible, and financially resilient urban regeneration.
The School of Collective Care is built on a multi-level stakeholder approach, ensuring local engagement, regional alignment, academic expertise and European scalability. This collaborative governance model integrates public authorities, civil society, academia and private partners to create a sustainable and replicable urban transformation.
At the local level, the Comune di Marcignago leads project coordination, committing €60,000 to ensure universal accessibility and integrate the initiative into urban development strategies. Civic society, including the parish, ACLI and Pro Loco, plays a crucial role in mobilizing volunteers, fostering intergenerational engagement, and supporting cultural activities. Local businesses and artisans contribute materials and expertise for the construction of sustainable, locally crafted infrastructure.
At the regional and national level, the Provincia di Pavia supports the initiative as it aligns with strategic development plans in ecology, sports and well-being. The province serves as a potential funding body for future phases, offering access to dedicated grants that enhance environmental sustainability and public health. The University of Pavia (UniPV) provides academic research and technical expertise in sustainable urban design, ensuring the initiative follows a data-driven and evidence-based approach while fostering knowledge exchange with other municipalities.
At the European level, the initiative aligns with NEB principles, positioning Marcignago as a model for small-town urban regeneration. Participation in EU funding programs strengthens collaboration with international experts and facilitates the scaling of best practices across Europe.
By integrating public, private, academic, and civic stakeholders, the initiative fosters long-term sustainability, financial resilience and broad policy alignment.
At the local level, the Comune di Marcignago leads project coordination, committing €60,000 to ensure universal accessibility and integrate the initiative into urban development strategies. Civic society, including the parish, ACLI and Pro Loco, plays a crucial role in mobilizing volunteers, fostering intergenerational engagement, and supporting cultural activities. Local businesses and artisans contribute materials and expertise for the construction of sustainable, locally crafted infrastructure.
At the regional and national level, the Provincia di Pavia supports the initiative as it aligns with strategic development plans in ecology, sports and well-being. The province serves as a potential funding body for future phases, offering access to dedicated grants that enhance environmental sustainability and public health. The University of Pavia (UniPV) provides academic research and technical expertise in sustainable urban design, ensuring the initiative follows a data-driven and evidence-based approach while fostering knowledge exchange with other municipalities.
At the European level, the initiative aligns with NEB principles, positioning Marcignago as a model for small-town urban regeneration. Participation in EU funding programs strengthens collaboration with international experts and facilitates the scaling of best practices across Europe.
By integrating public, private, academic, and civic stakeholders, the initiative fosters long-term sustainability, financial resilience and broad policy alignment.
The project combines expertise from education, architecture, environmental science, social research, and participatory design, ensuring both technical rigor and strong community engagement.
The first phase involved school staff, who contributed pedagogical insights to align outdoor learning spaces with educational needs. The University of Pavia (UniPV) provided expertise in architectural design, low-tech construction, and participatory methodologies, ensuring the project is technically sound and co-created with users. A key contributor is the Architecture and Urban Design Research Lab at UniPV, which brings strong experience in participatory spatial practices and facilitation, ensuring that engagement is effectively implemented.
The Botanical Garden of Pavia identified endangered species to be integrated into the biodiversity areas, strengthening ecological value, and will supervise planting and monitor the orchard, ensuring soil health, species resilience and long-term maintenance strategies.
Additionally, Algeco Srl will provide technical support in upgrading modular containers into a fully functional community hub. Their expertise in adaptive reuse, insulation, and energy-efficient modifications ensures that the structures align with sustainability and usability standards.
This interdisciplinary approach bridges technical expertise with lived experience, ensuring that the project is environmentally and socially meaningful while remaining scalable for small municipalities. Through co-creation workshops, academic-community partnerships, and cross-sector collaboration, the School of Collective Care exemplifies how participatory urban design can foster resilience, inclusion, and long-term sustainability in public spaces.
The first phase involved school staff, who contributed pedagogical insights to align outdoor learning spaces with educational needs. The University of Pavia (UniPV) provided expertise in architectural design, low-tech construction, and participatory methodologies, ensuring the project is technically sound and co-created with users. A key contributor is the Architecture and Urban Design Research Lab at UniPV, which brings strong experience in participatory spatial practices and facilitation, ensuring that engagement is effectively implemented.
The Botanical Garden of Pavia identified endangered species to be integrated into the biodiversity areas, strengthening ecological value, and will supervise planting and monitor the orchard, ensuring soil health, species resilience and long-term maintenance strategies.
Additionally, Algeco Srl will provide technical support in upgrading modular containers into a fully functional community hub. Their expertise in adaptive reuse, insulation, and energy-efficient modifications ensures that the structures align with sustainability and usability standards.
This interdisciplinary approach bridges technical expertise with lived experience, ensuring that the project is environmentally and socially meaningful while remaining scalable for small municipalities. Through co-creation workshops, academic-community partnerships, and cross-sector collaboration, the School of Collective Care exemplifies how participatory urban design can foster resilience, inclusion, and long-term sustainability in public spaces.
The project is a paradigm shift in schoolyard design, moving beyond traditional educational infrastructure to create a multifunctional, community-driven environment that integrates education, sustainability and social inclusion. Unlike conventional schoolyards, which are often isolated and underutilized, this initiative transforms the space into a shared civic asset, ensuring access beyond school hours for recreation, cultural events, and intergenerational engagement.
A key innovation is the participatory governance model, which involves students, families and local stakeholders in co-designing and maintaining the space, fostering collective responsibility. The project also pioneers gender-inclusive and equitable design, directly addressing the spatial hierarchies common in schoolyards, where boys tend to dominate larger areas while girls and other groups are left to the periphery. Inspired by research on gender-sensitive urban spaces, the Lot1 and 2 design ensures balanced spatial distribution, creating inclusive sports and recreational zones where all students, regardless of gender or ability, feel equally welcomed.
Unlike conventional school renovations, the project integrates nature-based and climate-resilient infrastructure. Features such as a shared orchard, rainwater collection systems and climate-adaptive landscaping support biodiversity, food literacy, and environmental awareness. Outdoor classrooms further extend nature-based learning, embedding sustainability into everyday educational experiences.
Another groundbreaking aspect is its interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaboration. Most schoolyard projects are designed in isolation by architects or municipalities, whereas this initiative merges expertise in architecture, urban planning, environmental science, education, and social research into a co-created vision. The partnership with the University of Pavia ensures an evidence-based approach, making the project a replicable model.
A key innovation is the participatory governance model, which involves students, families and local stakeholders in co-designing and maintaining the space, fostering collective responsibility. The project also pioneers gender-inclusive and equitable design, directly addressing the spatial hierarchies common in schoolyards, where boys tend to dominate larger areas while girls and other groups are left to the periphery. Inspired by research on gender-sensitive urban spaces, the Lot1 and 2 design ensures balanced spatial distribution, creating inclusive sports and recreational zones where all students, regardless of gender or ability, feel equally welcomed.
Unlike conventional school renovations, the project integrates nature-based and climate-resilient infrastructure. Features such as a shared orchard, rainwater collection systems and climate-adaptive landscaping support biodiversity, food literacy, and environmental awareness. Outdoor classrooms further extend nature-based learning, embedding sustainability into everyday educational experiences.
Another groundbreaking aspect is its interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaboration. Most schoolyard projects are designed in isolation by architects or municipalities, whereas this initiative merges expertise in architecture, urban planning, environmental science, education, and social research into a co-created vision. The partnership with the University of Pavia ensures an evidence-based approach, making the project a replicable model.
The School of Collective Care follows a co-creative, interdisciplinary, and evidence-based methodology, ensuring a socially inclusive, environmentally sustainable and functionally adaptable transformation of the schoolyard.
The concept development phase included demographic analysis and site research, revealing an aging population and declining youth engagement in public spaces. These findings reinforced the need for an intergenerational civic space that fosters shared use. Observations of schoolyard dynamics identified unequal access to recreation, guiding a spatial reorganization to ensure inclusivity. Ecological research with the Botanical Garden of Pavia highlighted a lack of biodiversity, informing the selection of drought-resistant native species to support local ecosystems, food literacy and pollinator-friendly planting.
The project employs a structured participatory process, engaging students, teachers, families and local stakeholders through mapping exercises, co-design workshops, and feedback loops. Lot 1 and Lot 2 were refined through these methods, while Lot 3 follows a different approach, using architectural design as a catalyst for participation. Instead of full co-design, a predefined but flexible framework ensures structured yet adaptable engagement, allowing meaningful participation without the complexities and delays of open-ended planning.
Implementation begins in March 2025 with Lot 1 construction and excavation of an underground water tank, funded by the municipality (€60,000). Lot 3 launches in early summer 2025 with the installation of two modular containers, followed by their technical upgrade in collaboration with Algeco Srl to enhance insulation, energy efficiency and adaptability. Once infrastructure is in place, collaborative construction workshops will engage local residents in building planters, integrating green infrastructure, and connecting the water tank for irrigation, fostering collective care and long-term stewardship.
The concept development phase included demographic analysis and site research, revealing an aging population and declining youth engagement in public spaces. These findings reinforced the need for an intergenerational civic space that fosters shared use. Observations of schoolyard dynamics identified unequal access to recreation, guiding a spatial reorganization to ensure inclusivity. Ecological research with the Botanical Garden of Pavia highlighted a lack of biodiversity, informing the selection of drought-resistant native species to support local ecosystems, food literacy and pollinator-friendly planting.
The project employs a structured participatory process, engaging students, teachers, families and local stakeholders through mapping exercises, co-design workshops, and feedback loops. Lot 1 and Lot 2 were refined through these methods, while Lot 3 follows a different approach, using architectural design as a catalyst for participation. Instead of full co-design, a predefined but flexible framework ensures structured yet adaptable engagement, allowing meaningful participation without the complexities and delays of open-ended planning.
Implementation begins in March 2025 with Lot 1 construction and excavation of an underground water tank, funded by the municipality (€60,000). Lot 3 launches in early summer 2025 with the installation of two modular containers, followed by their technical upgrade in collaboration with Algeco Srl to enhance insulation, energy efficiency and adaptability. Once infrastructure is in place, collaborative construction workshops will engage local residents in building planters, integrating green infrastructure, and connecting the water tank for irrigation, fostering collective care and long-term stewardship.
By combining participatory urbanism, modular spatial strategies, and environmental sustainability, the School of Collective Care serves as a model for European municipalities seeking to reimagine educational and civic spaces. Successful replication requires stakeholder mapping to secure institutional commitment, school participation, and cross-sector collaboration. A formal agreement with the school is crucial to ensure leadership supports opening the space beyond school hours and embracing its civic role.
The project’s phased development model allows municipalities to implement transformations incrementally, adapting to local funding constraints and priorities. The approach used in Lot 3, where architectural design catalyzes participation rather than relying on full co-design, provides a structured yet flexible model for small municipalities with limited resources.
Marcignago’s spatial interventions are scalable and transferable. The use of modular, low-impact infrastructure, such as repurposed containers, offers a cost-effective solution adaptable to various public settings. Their energy-efficient upgrades, supported by Algeco Srl, further enhance sustainability.
The project’s nature-based solutions, including rainwater collection, biodiversity-friendly plantings, and permeable surfaces, can be applied to urban greening initiatives, schoolyards, and public parks. The shared orchard model, which fosters intergenerational learning and local food production, is replicable in community gardens and civic spaces.
The community-driven governance model, where schools, municipalities, and residents co-manage public spaces, provides a framework for long-term adaptability and urban commons management. The initiative demonstrates how public-private-academic partnerships can strengthen financial resilience and cross-sector collaboration, making it a replicable strategy for inclusive, climate-responsive urban regeneration.
The project’s phased development model allows municipalities to implement transformations incrementally, adapting to local funding constraints and priorities. The approach used in Lot 3, where architectural design catalyzes participation rather than relying on full co-design, provides a structured yet flexible model for small municipalities with limited resources.
Marcignago’s spatial interventions are scalable and transferable. The use of modular, low-impact infrastructure, such as repurposed containers, offers a cost-effective solution adaptable to various public settings. Their energy-efficient upgrades, supported by Algeco Srl, further enhance sustainability.
The project’s nature-based solutions, including rainwater collection, biodiversity-friendly plantings, and permeable surfaces, can be applied to urban greening initiatives, schoolyards, and public parks. The shared orchard model, which fosters intergenerational learning and local food production, is replicable in community gardens and civic spaces.
The community-driven governance model, where schools, municipalities, and residents co-manage public spaces, provides a framework for long-term adaptability and urban commons management. The initiative demonstrates how public-private-academic partnerships can strengthen financial resilience and cross-sector collaboration, making it a replicable strategy for inclusive, climate-responsive urban regeneration.
The School of Collective Care provides local, scalable solutions to global challenges in climate resilience, social equity, civic engagement and education, aligning with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
To address climate change and urban resilience (SDG 13 & SDG 11), the project integrates nature-based solutions that mitigate heat stress, biodiversity loss, and water mismanagement. The shared orchard, rainwater collection, and permeable surfaces reduce flood risks while improving water resilience and food security. Green infrastructure combats urban heat islands and enhances air quality, creating a healthier learning and recreational space.
The initiative tackles social inequality and exclusion (SDG 5 & SDG 10) by ensuring universal accessibility and gender-sensitive design. Traditional schoolyards often reinforce spatial hierarchies, limiting equitable use. Here, play, sports and gathering spaces are reconfigured for balanced access regardless of gender, ability or background. Intergenerational activities, such as community gardening and shared meals, strengthen social ties across age groups.
In response to declining civic engagement (SDG 16 & SDG 17), the schoolyard is transformed into a civic hub, promoting participatory governance and long-term community stewardship. Schools, municipalities and local organizations co-manage the space, demonstrating how municipalities can integrate citizen-led initiatives into strategic planning.
Recognizing the impact of educational environments on well-being (SDG 4 & SDG 3), the initiative includes an open-air classroom, sensory play areas and natural learning spaces that enhance creativity and student well-being. By embedding environmental literacy, food education, and hands-on sustainability, the project redefines schoolyards as living laboratories for community resilience. By doing so, the School of Collective Care proves that local action can drive trans-local shifts in design culture and community behaviours.
To address climate change and urban resilience (SDG 13 & SDG 11), the project integrates nature-based solutions that mitigate heat stress, biodiversity loss, and water mismanagement. The shared orchard, rainwater collection, and permeable surfaces reduce flood risks while improving water resilience and food security. Green infrastructure combats urban heat islands and enhances air quality, creating a healthier learning and recreational space.
The initiative tackles social inequality and exclusion (SDG 5 & SDG 10) by ensuring universal accessibility and gender-sensitive design. Traditional schoolyards often reinforce spatial hierarchies, limiting equitable use. Here, play, sports and gathering spaces are reconfigured for balanced access regardless of gender, ability or background. Intergenerational activities, such as community gardening and shared meals, strengthen social ties across age groups.
In response to declining civic engagement (SDG 16 & SDG 17), the schoolyard is transformed into a civic hub, promoting participatory governance and long-term community stewardship. Schools, municipalities and local organizations co-manage the space, demonstrating how municipalities can integrate citizen-led initiatives into strategic planning.
Recognizing the impact of educational environments on well-being (SDG 4 & SDG 3), the initiative includes an open-air classroom, sensory play areas and natural learning spaces that enhance creativity and student well-being. By embedding environmental literacy, food education, and hands-on sustainability, the project redefines schoolyards as living laboratories for community resilience. By doing so, the School of Collective Care proves that local action can drive trans-local shifts in design culture and community behaviours.
The School of Collective Care is entering its implementation phase, integrating NEB values with its co-creative and interdisciplinary approach. The initiative is structured into phased development, ensuring feasibility, financial sustainability and strong community engagement.
In March 2025, work will begin on Lot 1, including accessibility improvements, new vegetation and the excavation of an underground water tank, funded by the municipality (€60,000). These interventions prioritize sustainable materials, climate-adaptive planting, and universal accessibility, reinforcing NEB’s commitment to environmental and social sustainability.
Lot 3 will launch in early summer 2025, featuring the installation of two modular containers, which will be upgraded in collaboration with Algeco Srl to ensure energy efficiency, insulation, and adaptive reuse. This structured spatial intervention follows the NEB principle of beautiful, functional and sustainable design, creating a welcoming community hub while balancing predefined architectural elements with participatory activation.
A series of collaborative construction workshops facilitated by experts at the University of Pavia will engage local residents in building raised planters, integrating green infrastructure and connecting the water tank for irrigation, ensuring that the space is not only designed for the community but also built and maintained by its users. This approach embodies NEB’s emphasis on co-creation, fostering ownership and long-term stewardship.
Further development will focus on inclusive programming and participatory governance, establishing stakeholder roundtables to define the coexistence of public, private, and civic interests. Broader community workshops will train citizens in sustainable construction and ecological care, ensuring the long-term adaptability of the project.
In March 2025, work will begin on Lot 1, including accessibility improvements, new vegetation and the excavation of an underground water tank, funded by the municipality (€60,000). These interventions prioritize sustainable materials, climate-adaptive planting, and universal accessibility, reinforcing NEB’s commitment to environmental and social sustainability.
Lot 3 will launch in early summer 2025, featuring the installation of two modular containers, which will be upgraded in collaboration with Algeco Srl to ensure energy efficiency, insulation, and adaptive reuse. This structured spatial intervention follows the NEB principle of beautiful, functional and sustainable design, creating a welcoming community hub while balancing predefined architectural elements with participatory activation.
A series of collaborative construction workshops facilitated by experts at the University of Pavia will engage local residents in building raised planters, integrating green infrastructure and connecting the water tank for irrigation, ensuring that the space is not only designed for the community but also built and maintained by its users. This approach embodies NEB’s emphasis on co-creation, fostering ownership and long-term stewardship.
Further development will focus on inclusive programming and participatory governance, establishing stakeholder roundtables to define the coexistence of public, private, and civic interests. Broader community workshops will train citizens in sustainable construction and ecological care, ensuring the long-term adaptability of the project.
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