The garden revolution

Urban Lab (ex Urban Center Metropolitano) together with Slow Food has promoted a photo exhibition entitled “The garden revolution”, dedicated to the most significant and virtuous cases of urban gardens, not only in Torino metropolitan area, but also in Italy and abroad. 

As a result of the recovery and transformation of dismissed spaces, social aggregation places (schools or correctional facilities) or unused areas into farming areas, urban gardens are one of the most significant examples of territorial regeneration bringing about environmental, social and economic benefits.

But what are urban gardens? And what are the most virtuous projects? Through images it is possible to see the projects developed in Torino and its suburbs – Ortoalto at Fonderie Ozanam in via Foligno, the garden grown in the Correctional Facility ‘Lorusso e Cotugno’, and the experience of Korto in Venaria Reale), but also those in Milan, Caserta, Vernazza, as well as international projects, such as Berlin (Prinzessinnengarten, in the heart of Kreuzberg), Istanbul (Turkey), Turda (Romania), Chicago, New York, up to Uganda and Tanzania.

The exhibition is part of the initiatives promoted for Terra Madre Salone del Gusto 2016. Through urban gardens, not only is it possible to restore the value of dismissed areas, but also to learn again the importance of seasons and authentic flavours, train one’s senses, respect natural cycles and appreciate local products. Moreover, they encourage community work by involving children and adults.