The role of urban agriculture for the governance of high natural values areas. New models for the city of Turin CollinaPo

Ecosystem services and land-management policies in urban and peri-urban areas are topics of growing interest, because they maintain biodiversity and the production of ecosystem goods, such as food, wood and cultural/recreational values. The aim of the project is the monitoring and the analysis of management policies in the metropolitan context of natural park of Turin, recognized in 2016 as CollinaPo, UNESCO MAB (Man and the Biosphere programme). Since its establishment (1990), the Natural Park of Po Torinese encouraged connections between public and private territorial subjects. This action focused on forestry, wildlife management and planning network of public enjoyment. In order to identify the best strategies, cultural, agricultural and livestock best practices were analysed. The number and types of farms involved during the last 25 years were evaluated. The study analyses the management activities coordinated by natural Park Authority, by listing and quantifying significant actions to systemic governance of high natural values areas. The results showed the important role of urban farms for ecosystem services management, confirmed by the increasing of numbers and types of stakeholders that signed collaboration with natural Park Authority. These results address new models in agricultural and natural planning of green infrastructure of Turin. Therefore, it identifies strategic assets to develop urban governance models, bridging all the territorial actors. This approach will connect agricultural outputs and touristic inputs, promoting circular economy.