Innovative farming systems for job creation and social inclusion in modern prisons: ideas from the International Student Challenge UrbanFarm2024

Under the framework of the International Student Challenge UrbanFarm2024, students from the University of Bologna and the Swedish Agricultural University collaborated and shared ideas for the development of an innovative agricultural systems integrated into a prison facility located in Trelleborg, Skåne, Sweden. Students were asked to bring together interdisciplinary solutions that spanned from urban horticulture, landscape design, and smart farming systems alongside the concept of biophilia, to amplify advantages of green design on human wellbeing. The three pillars of sustainability were essential elements along the project’s development process and guided the design choices. Core aspects of the project were to adapt agricultural and social activities to the specific prison environment, engaging with the inmates, staff, and local stakeholders. This innovative educational approach allowed students to apply their theoretical knowledge, while also providing the opportunity to participate in an international experience, enhancing soft skills and interpersonal relations. With this paper, the authors will present a selection of technological solutions, management models, dissemination and communication activities as well as business model that were designed for the prison facilities aiming to communicate innovative strategies for engaging inmates into farming for revenue generation, as well as recreational, social and therapeutical functionalities.