An eco-cultural farm
Basic information
Project Title
An eco-cultural farm
Full project title
Cascina Falchera: the circular hinge between Multiculturalism, Entrepreneurship, Environment
Category
Regaining a sense of belonging
Project Description
What if you could listen to gypsy music live, restyle a 100-year old streetcar, have a 3-course meal based on local products, enjoy the countryside right in the middle of a bustling city, all in one place? Six young talents gathered at the Farmhouse Cascina Falchera, in Turin, combined a hybrid set of activities and interventions achieving an innovative, coherent and inspiring vision for local development: an eco-cultural third place open to the community and a model for the circular economy.
Geographical Scope
Regional
Project Region
PIEMONTE
VALLE D'AOSTA, Italy
VALLE D'AOSTA, Italy
Urban or rural issues
It addresses urban-rural linkages
Physical or other transformations
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
EU Programme or fund
No
Description of the project
Summary
"An eco-cultural farm" is a project born from the opportunities offered by Cascina (Farmhouse) Falchera, re-elaborated by a group of talented young people who met there thanks to the fact that their work activities are carried out in the Cascina. The overall meaning of the proposal is to select three of these activities and bring them to the attention of citizens:
Collaboration with ROMA and SINTI communities mostly at cultural level, fostering integration and mutual understanding;
creation of a Restaurant whose menu is based on snails;
one stop shop open to SMEs on how to include diversity and inclusion in the rules that govern the day-to-day relation among employees (also thanks to the collaboration with Chamber of Commerce of Turin)
Collaboration with ROMA and SINTI communities mostly at cultural level, fostering integration and mutual understanding;
creation of a Restaurant whose menu is based on snails;
one stop shop open to SMEs on how to include diversity and inclusion in the rules that govern the day-to-day relation among employees (also thanks to the collaboration with Chamber of Commerce of Turin)
Key objectives for sustainability
The project aims to accomplish three sustainability goals at a social, environmental and economic level.
Social sustainability:
Cascina Falchera is not just a space, but a recipient of cultures, ideas, proactivity and sustainability itself, which can and has to be shared. The project activities will provide a strong community engagement, fostering ties between the local community and people with different backgrounds (e.g. cultural, educational, economic). In addition, the increasing awareness of the importance of having a safe place to escape the bustle and stress of everyday life, making enriching social connections and feeling part of a community is going to boost the process. All the people accessing one or more activities and services provided by the farmhouse will be involved in decision-making processes, encouraging debate and knowledge circularity.
Environmental sustainability:
There is growing attention towards the environment and a greener circular economy and Cascina Falchera is the right place to experience first-hand righteous sustainability practices and learn from them. Organic farming, green energy efficiency, biodiversity conservation, local farm-to-table products, reusing and recycling will be keywords.
Economic sustainability:
The concept of a sharing economy is the core of the economic sustainability of the farmhouse: sharing knowledge, tools, spaces, experiences, and food. Cascina Falchera aims to be a place where to find not only people, but ideas, not only food, but connection with nature, not only amusement, but culture: From a long-term point of view, every participant in the community is going to play a role, placing a piece of a big puzzle on which every other community member can draw and giving her/his own contribution.
Social sustainability:
Cascina Falchera is not just a space, but a recipient of cultures, ideas, proactivity and sustainability itself, which can and has to be shared. The project activities will provide a strong community engagement, fostering ties between the local community and people with different backgrounds (e.g. cultural, educational, economic). In addition, the increasing awareness of the importance of having a safe place to escape the bustle and stress of everyday life, making enriching social connections and feeling part of a community is going to boost the process. All the people accessing one or more activities and services provided by the farmhouse will be involved in decision-making processes, encouraging debate and knowledge circularity.
Environmental sustainability:
There is growing attention towards the environment and a greener circular economy and Cascina Falchera is the right place to experience first-hand righteous sustainability practices and learn from them. Organic farming, green energy efficiency, biodiversity conservation, local farm-to-table products, reusing and recycling will be keywords.
Economic sustainability:
The concept of a sharing economy is the core of the economic sustainability of the farmhouse: sharing knowledge, tools, spaces, experiences, and food. Cascina Falchera aims to be a place where to find not only people, but ideas, not only food, but connection with nature, not only amusement, but culture: From a long-term point of view, every participant in the community is going to play a role, placing a piece of a big puzzle on which every other community member can draw and giving her/his own contribution.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
The aesthetic goal of the project is to reach harmony in diversity. Cascina Falchera wants to promote cultural contamination or hybridity, where different cultural elements are intentionally mixed, leading to a new and unique inclusive aesthetic, where beauty can be found in unconventional or unexpected combinations, pushing the boundaries of what is traditionally considered aesthetically pleasing. Briefly, the aim is to combine elements that are traditionally separate and have different connotations to promote an open-minded context and boost a generative environment, spreading the seed of inclusion and sharing. Cascina Falchera can hence set an example of “third place” in northern Italy, where this model is still not completely rooted yet, promoting the concepts of cultural fusion, multidisciplinary collaboration, interactiveness of spaces, inclusive design, community engagement, open expression, educational environment and sustainability.
Key objectives for inclusion
Cascina Falchera is improving the communities’ quality of life by re-imagining a more inclusive and welcoming community space in a marginal area, from an intergenerational and intersectional perspective: accessing the space and taking part in the educational activities is free of charge to reach a wider and more diversified audience and to establish bridges between people with different backgrounds. The space is designed to be fully accessible by people with a physical or cognitive impairment, or a challenging socio-cultural background (e.g. people with a migratory background, members of the ROMA communities etc.), who are usually impaired from exploring, experiencing and accessing certain spaces and therefore excluded from the opportunities to reshape our societies and move local communities forward.
Furthermore, particular attention is given to the activation of stakeholders’ synergies in a co-design perspective as well as territorial networks of support through cooperative and systemic design methodologies: students from the University and local citizens were directly involved in the design phase through common moments of sharing.
Furthermore, particular attention is given to the activation of stakeholders’ synergies in a co-design perspective as well as territorial networks of support through cooperative and systemic design methodologies: students from the University and local citizens were directly involved in the design phase through common moments of sharing.
How Citizens benefit
Falchera is a highly mixed suburban area located at the east-northern edge of Turin and Cascina Falchera has always been acknowledged by the community as an important gathering space, especially for children, to explore nature and experiment with outdoor education activities. During the last few years, Consorzio Kairos (currently managing the place) has been operating a co-designing process in order to transform Cascina Falchera into an active community centre for people of all ages, all cultures and all backgrounds. The impact of the project is massive in terms of social benefits, giving a sense of community to a disrupted suburb, which is going to affect mostly the next generations who will live within the area, but also people wanting to experience a unique “third place”. The involvement process of the community follows a natural path: 1. generating interest, based on providing a unique experience; 2. creating engagement, making people experiment with a generative process of intermingling; 3. Retaining, by co-designing and involving civil society in the practical realization of the proposed activities.
Physical or other transformations
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
Innovative character
Cascina Falchera has recovered its past as an educational farm to become a living lab, a hybrid and multidisciplinary place of production and lifelong learning, an eco-cultural “third place” located in a poetic setting, where socialisation meets the circular and sustainable production of food, an experimental academy for Diversity Management and Inclusion at the workplace, an open and living showcase for the decriminalised local minorities music and traditions.
Cascina Falchera is a social and environmental innovation hub that intends to give back to the local peri-urban communities a physical and research space on the themes of ecology, social innovation, rural environment and sustainable agro-food supply chains. The Cascina, while remaining an innovative educational space for the regional school system that used to be in the 1990s, is now being reimagined as an innovative eco-cultural third place: a community centre open to the citizens, a place of cultural events, a place for research and experimentation, a home to professional micro experiences of sustainability and social economy.
Cascina Falchera is a social and environmental innovation hub that intends to give back to the local peri-urban communities a physical and research space on the themes of ecology, social innovation, rural environment and sustainable agro-food supply chains. The Cascina, while remaining an innovative educational space for the regional school system that used to be in the 1990s, is now being reimagined as an innovative eco-cultural third place: a community centre open to the citizens, a place of cultural events, a place for research and experimentation, a home to professional micro experiences of sustainability and social economy.
Disciplines/knowledge reflected
Cascina Falchera is meant to be a multidisciplinary area, where different and apparently divergent concepts are harmoniously put together.
Food:
Integrate a variety of culinary experiences, featuring a mix of local and international cuisines.
Encourage local, sustainable, and organic food practices. Host food festivals and markets.
Cultures: Support and showcase local artists, musicians, and performers.
Create spaces for art installations, galleries, and cultural events. Organize cultural exchange programs to bring in diverse perspectives.
Agronomy: Implement sustainable and regenerative farming practices. Provide educational programs on agriculture, gardening, and environmental sustainability.
Work: Offer co-working spaces for professionals and entrepreneurs.
Host workshops and networking events to foster collaboration. Education:
Offer a wide range of open-air activities for schools.
Organizing workshops focused on outdoor education.
Convey respect towards nature.
Free Time and Leisure: Develop recreational areas for relaxation and leisure activities. Organize sports events, outdoor activities. Create a vibrant public space that encourages social interactions.
Commitment: Promote community engagement and social responsibility.
Establish partnerships with local NGOs and community organizations. Encourage volunteerism and civic participation.
The key to success in such a multidisciplinary environment is the synergy among these seemingly divergent concepts. E.g. hosting interdisciplinary events, fostering collaboration and cross-pollination of ideas. Community involvement and inclusivity are at the core of the project, ensuring that everyone in Cascina Falchera feels a sense of ownership and connection to a space that they are contributing to (re)generate. The goal is to create a dynamic and inclusive space where people engage with a variety of experiences, fostering creativity, community spirit, and a sustainable way of l
Food:
Integrate a variety of culinary experiences, featuring a mix of local and international cuisines.
Encourage local, sustainable, and organic food practices. Host food festivals and markets.
Cultures: Support and showcase local artists, musicians, and performers.
Create spaces for art installations, galleries, and cultural events. Organize cultural exchange programs to bring in diverse perspectives.
Agronomy: Implement sustainable and regenerative farming practices. Provide educational programs on agriculture, gardening, and environmental sustainability.
Work: Offer co-working spaces for professionals and entrepreneurs.
Host workshops and networking events to foster collaboration. Education:
Offer a wide range of open-air activities for schools.
Organizing workshops focused on outdoor education.
Convey respect towards nature.
Free Time and Leisure: Develop recreational areas for relaxation and leisure activities. Organize sports events, outdoor activities. Create a vibrant public space that encourages social interactions.
Commitment: Promote community engagement and social responsibility.
Establish partnerships with local NGOs and community organizations. Encourage volunteerism and civic participation.
The key to success in such a multidisciplinary environment is the synergy among these seemingly divergent concepts. E.g. hosting interdisciplinary events, fostering collaboration and cross-pollination of ideas. Community involvement and inclusivity are at the core of the project, ensuring that everyone in Cascina Falchera feels a sense of ownership and connection to a space that they are contributing to (re)generate. The goal is to create a dynamic and inclusive space where people engage with a variety of experiences, fostering creativity, community spirit, and a sustainable way of l
Methodology used
The methodology used combined two key concepts, both included in the wider New European Bauhaus spirit: third places as transformative places and co-design with the local communities.
Sociologist Ray Oldenburg coined the concept of third place to emphasise the importance of informal, community-oriented gathering spaces that foster social interaction, relaxation, and a sense of belonging. Third places play a crucial role in community building and can include a variety of settings whose common idea is to bring together in one place a production area (a fab lab, a food transformation lab, a repair café etc.), an educational area, a coworking space, a cultural area, a lifelong learning space, a social Conciergerie. In this sense, inspirational has been our experience with the Neighbourhood Houses Network in Turin.
The second approach used was the Social service design and Design thinking method to engage with the local community to understand its needs and preferences, collect all the input essential for the success of the space and co-design the final use destination. Particular emphasis was put on the active engagement of ROMA people living near the area: we established a connection with a culturally sensitive and inclusive approach, collaborating with existing Roma advocacy groups to define a permanent living exhibition that could support and celebrate Roma cultural events, art, music, and traditions.
Sociologist Ray Oldenburg coined the concept of third place to emphasise the importance of informal, community-oriented gathering spaces that foster social interaction, relaxation, and a sense of belonging. Third places play a crucial role in community building and can include a variety of settings whose common idea is to bring together in one place a production area (a fab lab, a food transformation lab, a repair café etc.), an educational area, a coworking space, a cultural area, a lifelong learning space, a social Conciergerie. In this sense, inspirational has been our experience with the Neighbourhood Houses Network in Turin.
The second approach used was the Social service design and Design thinking method to engage with the local community to understand its needs and preferences, collect all the input essential for the success of the space and co-design the final use destination. Particular emphasis was put on the active engagement of ROMA people living near the area: we established a connection with a culturally sensitive and inclusive approach, collaborating with existing Roma advocacy groups to define a permanent living exhibition that could support and celebrate Roma cultural events, art, music, and traditions.
How stakeholders are engaged
Cascina Falchera has a number of internal and external stakeholders. The former including Konsorzio Kairos and its group, the latter counting:
The beneficiary of services (youth, families, school and children, teachers, social workers, NEETs, people with disabilities or impairments, vulnerable categories): they are engaged by taking part to the decision-making process of the farmhouse and to the co-design of the upcoming activities.
The local authorities and the community: they are involved at a local, regional, national and European level, by participating in the local/national/international projects hosted locally.
NGOs at a national and international level (such as Inter Alia, Social Hackers Academy, Nisi Masa, Sunrise Project, D’Antilles et D’Aillleurs, GOINNO Institute, Europass Berlin, Akata Makata, Djecji Vrtic More, Stando LTD, Utopia Project Koin.S.Ep. Avrupa Yenilici Toplum Dernegi, Association DOVES, Casa da Imagem, Social Hackers, Nisi Masa, BLOXHUB, GXN AS, NXT ApS, FONDEN CHART, SWSL: they are involved in the realization of innovative processes concerning local development, green economy and sustainability, and education.
Universities and research centers (Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia da Vinci, Palermo Scienza, Fondazione ECM, Fondazione Cives, InfiniTO Planetario di Torino, Dipartimento Educazione Castello di Rivoli, Explora Museo dei Bambini di Roma, Fundação Manuel Leão, Europass, GoInno Institute, UNITO, Politecnico di Milano, Óbuda University, Institute for Circular Economy (HR), Politecnico di Milano, LINKS Foundation, Danish Design Center, Dansk Industry, Aalborg Universitet, Dansk Arkitektur Center, Aarhus Universitet, Danmarks Tekniske Universitet, Knowledge Hub Zealand, Danske Arkitektvirksomheder, Center energetsko ucinkovitih resitev): they cooperate with Consorzio Kairos in order to create innovation, especially in the field of education, and redefine EU-consistent policies whithin local contexts.
The beneficiary of services (youth, families, school and children, teachers, social workers, NEETs, people with disabilities or impairments, vulnerable categories): they are engaged by taking part to the decision-making process of the farmhouse and to the co-design of the upcoming activities.
The local authorities and the community: they are involved at a local, regional, national and European level, by participating in the local/national/international projects hosted locally.
NGOs at a national and international level (such as Inter Alia, Social Hackers Academy, Nisi Masa, Sunrise Project, D’Antilles et D’Aillleurs, GOINNO Institute, Europass Berlin, Akata Makata, Djecji Vrtic More, Stando LTD, Utopia Project Koin.S.Ep. Avrupa Yenilici Toplum Dernegi, Association DOVES, Casa da Imagem, Social Hackers, Nisi Masa, BLOXHUB, GXN AS, NXT ApS, FONDEN CHART, SWSL: they are involved in the realization of innovative processes concerning local development, green economy and sustainability, and education.
Universities and research centers (Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia da Vinci, Palermo Scienza, Fondazione ECM, Fondazione Cives, InfiniTO Planetario di Torino, Dipartimento Educazione Castello di Rivoli, Explora Museo dei Bambini di Roma, Fundação Manuel Leão, Europass, GoInno Institute, UNITO, Politecnico di Milano, Óbuda University, Institute for Circular Economy (HR), Politecnico di Milano, LINKS Foundation, Danish Design Center, Dansk Industry, Aalborg Universitet, Dansk Arkitektur Center, Aarhus Universitet, Danmarks Tekniske Universitet, Knowledge Hub Zealand, Danske Arkitektvirksomheder, Center energetsko ucinkovitih resitev): they cooperate with Consorzio Kairos in order to create innovation, especially in the field of education, and redefine EU-consistent policies whithin local contexts.
Global challenges
Cascina Falchera faces several global challenges as it seeks to address environmental, social, and economic issues associated with sustainable food production, interchange with local minorities, and employment solutions for all. In particular, we aim to make a positive change in the following areas:
Antigypsyism and systemic discrimination: by ensuring mutual knowledge and promoting positive change through cultural projects
Climate Change: by adapting local systems to the shifts in weather patterns, changes in precipitation, and increased frequency of extreme events and developing resilient agricultural practices
Deindustrialisation and disruption of the local economy: by tackling local unemployment processes and the progressive loss of productive activities as consequences of the crisis of the local industrial economy
Biodiversity Loss and Soil Degradation: intensive agricultural practices led to the loss of biodiversity, including the decline of pollinators and beneficial organisms. We therefore want to prioritize soil biodiversity conservation through agroecological approaches, organic farming methods and habitat preservation. Another focus will be on efficient resource use, conservation, and the development of alternative and renewable energy sources
Food Security and Hunger by improving access to nutritious food, enhancing agricultural productivity, and developing resilient food systems
Social Equity: peri-urban communities face issues of poverty, lack of access to resources, and limited market opportunities. We promote fair trade, provide training and resources to local communities, and ensure inclusive economic benefits.
Loss of traditional artisan expertise: Cascina Falchera is a hub of returning knowledge and traditions to the area to counter the phenomenon of cultural empoverishment and loss of knowledge
Social and employment inclusion: by ensuring training on the job opportunities for people with disabilities and social housing for people in need
Antigypsyism and systemic discrimination: by ensuring mutual knowledge and promoting positive change through cultural projects
Climate Change: by adapting local systems to the shifts in weather patterns, changes in precipitation, and increased frequency of extreme events and developing resilient agricultural practices
Deindustrialisation and disruption of the local economy: by tackling local unemployment processes and the progressive loss of productive activities as consequences of the crisis of the local industrial economy
Biodiversity Loss and Soil Degradation: intensive agricultural practices led to the loss of biodiversity, including the decline of pollinators and beneficial organisms. We therefore want to prioritize soil biodiversity conservation through agroecological approaches, organic farming methods and habitat preservation. Another focus will be on efficient resource use, conservation, and the development of alternative and renewable energy sources
Food Security and Hunger by improving access to nutritious food, enhancing agricultural productivity, and developing resilient food systems
Social Equity: peri-urban communities face issues of poverty, lack of access to resources, and limited market opportunities. We promote fair trade, provide training and resources to local communities, and ensure inclusive economic benefits.
Loss of traditional artisan expertise: Cascina Falchera is a hub of returning knowledge and traditions to the area to counter the phenomenon of cultural empoverishment and loss of knowledge
Social and employment inclusion: by ensuring training on the job opportunities for people with disabilities and social housing for people in need
Learning transferred to other parties
The project has a great potential for transferability and replicability to other post-urban and rural spaces for the sustainable transition of the City and its surroundings. As a circular place of socio-cultural and sustainable economy, Cascina Falchera incorporates elements from social economy and sustainable economy that contribute to the sustainability of the project. In particular:
Agroecological Practices
Integrate agroecological and agroforestry principles that mimic natural ecosystems, promoting biodiversity, pest control, and soil health.
Water Conservation and Recycling
Implement water-saving technologies, such as drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting, to reduce water consumption and reuse water for multiple purposes.
Renewable Energy Integration
Invest in energy-efficient technologies and practices to minimize energy consumption.
Waste Reduction and Recycling
Implement practices to minimize food and agricultural waste through composting, recycling, and reusing materials. Explore opportunities to turn farm waste into resources, such as converting organic matter into bioenergy or using waste for compost.
Localized Food Systems
Foster local food systems by selling produce directly to local markets, restaurants, or consumers.
Farm-to-Fork Education and Engagement
Engage with the local community through educational programs, farm tours, and workshops to raise awareness about sustainable farming practices.
Promote consumer understanding of the circular economy and the importance of supporting local, sustainable agriculture.
Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing
Participate in networks and platforms that facilitate knowledge exchange within the agricultural community.
Agroecological Practices
Integrate agroecological and agroforestry principles that mimic natural ecosystems, promoting biodiversity, pest control, and soil health.
Water Conservation and Recycling
Implement water-saving technologies, such as drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting, to reduce water consumption and reuse water for multiple purposes.
Renewable Energy Integration
Invest in energy-efficient technologies and practices to minimize energy consumption.
Waste Reduction and Recycling
Implement practices to minimize food and agricultural waste through composting, recycling, and reusing materials. Explore opportunities to turn farm waste into resources, such as converting organic matter into bioenergy or using waste for compost.
Localized Food Systems
Foster local food systems by selling produce directly to local markets, restaurants, or consumers.
Farm-to-Fork Education and Engagement
Engage with the local community through educational programs, farm tours, and workshops to raise awareness about sustainable farming practices.
Promote consumer understanding of the circular economy and the importance of supporting local, sustainable agriculture.
Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing
Participate in networks and platforms that facilitate knowledge exchange within the agricultural community.
Keywords
Multiculturality
Circular economy
Generative intemingling
Community engagement
Innovative enterpreneurship
