Biodiversity Hub: An Emerging and Co-created Strategy for Cascina Falchera in Turin

The chapter delineates the process and outcomes of the two-year Desire— Designing an Irresistible Society project. Commencing by addressing the main challenges identified in the initial stages of the journey, characterized as “Reconciling with Nature”, the chapter elucidates the activities undertaken at Cascina Falchera in Turin (Italy) and the resultant achievements. Indeed, field actions were initiated, grounded in the concepts of Citizen Science and Nature-Based Solutions, aiming to catalyze a transformation the traditional didactic farm model, rooted in 1990s experiments, into a conceptual framework of an experimental urban hub, offering activities and services centered around the enhancement of urban biodiversity. In line with the DESIRE principles—articulated as “Biodiversity: We embrace a planetary perspective,” “Belonging: We nurture a sense of belonging,” and “Aesthetics: We expand the concept of aesthetics”–, workshops and co-design activities with local communities, as well as artistic endeavors were conducted. The overall process is portrayed as action-research which, through cycles of planning, execution, and evaluation, supported and fostered a continuous learning process within the Cascina Falchera community, while facilitating reciprocal knowledge exchange with external stakeholders.