Abstract

The international student challenge UrbanFarm2024, which has now reached its 6th edition, is dedicated to the design of new spaces, activities, and solutions for the development of a new prison facility in Trelleborg (SKÅNE, Sweden): the aim is to integrate the prison's architectural design with agricultural facilities to facilitate inmates rehabilitation through farming activities, while, at the same time, reaching fruit and vegetables self-sufficiency within the facility. Similarly to previous editions, the teams had the task of bridging the most innovative strategies in urban farming as well as environmental technology and solutions with multifunctional planning of the prison's external spaces. Moreover, students also had the opportunity to discuss their solutions with the Swedish Prison and Probation Service (Kriminalvarden) in Malmö. Through this challenge, teams must apply their knowledge in real contexts, dealing with the environment and spaces as well as with the local policies. Moreover, they gain a significant opportunity to exchange views and approaches with their peers from different countries as well as backgrounds. Their dissemination and soft skills may also take advantage and be improved, for instance in how to prepare a promotional video or how to orally present their project in front of an audience, making this challenge an important teaching tool.  This publication aims to summarize the main ideas, projects, and solutions that student teams brought together with enthusiasm, dedication, and effort. We believe that these kinds of ideas and projects may not only raise awareness on these topics but also inspire urban planners and institutions to foster the sustainability and liveability of their cities.