Exploring Conceivable Futures: LAND’s Vision at the University of Bologna

Last week, Benedetta Falcone, Landscape Architect at LAND Italia, participated as a speaker at the International Conference “Further Crisis Towards Conceivable Futures” hosted by Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna. The event gathered researchers, practitioners, and professionals from around the world to reflect on how to move beyond contemporary crises and imagine new trajectories for our cities and landscapes.

Benedetta shares that the conference was a deeply enriching moment of exchange. Discussions throughout the day highlighted the importance of grounding future-oriented visions in what already exists: recognising historical layers, cultural identities, and even the power embedded in place-names. A recurring theme was the need to address urban fragmentation by activating vulnerable areas, through social events, community-based initiatives, and meanwhile uses capable of reanimating spaces and fostering cohesion. Broader reflections touched upon the crisis of contemporary urbanity, calling for new forms of integration across actors, functions, and scales, especially in peri-urban contexts.

Representing LAND, Benedetta contributed two complementary perspectives from recent projects in the Alpine territories of South Tyrol and in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region.

In the first case, she illustrated participatory processes initiated from the earliest design phases, where citizens and local administrations jointly shaped project directions. The second case focused on community involvement through public events, such as outdoor walks, cycling activities, and inauguration moments, supported by new digital tools for territorial exploration, as seen in the Carigo XR project.

Together, these experiences showcased LAND’s collaborative approach and its commitment to cultivating Nature-Positive Landscapes as platforms for coexistence between people and nature.

The exchange with researchers and fellow practitioners also offered valuable insights. Benedetta returned with a reinforced conviction that designing meaningful and resilient transformations begins with a deep understanding of place, its histories, cultural meanings, and spatial memories. The conversations in Bologna further emphasised the central role of communities, not only as beneficiaries but as active protagonists and stewards of their environments.

For us at LAND, the conference served as an important affirmation of our ongoing commitment to developing multifunctional Nature-Positive Landscapes that connect territories, enhance ecological and economic performance, and, above all, generate social value.

As Benedetta reflected, shaping the landscapes of the future means creating spaces that connect, regenerate, and empower communities while honoring the identities of the places they call home.