Umbria. Smart Land. Design strategies for the reduction of the ecological footprint, the enhancement of the landscape through the rural buildings regeneration, horticulture and vertical farm.

The adjective “smart” applied to farm is usually referred to the use of advance technology such as geo-referred data, image processing and precision farming devices. In this paper, we use a vaster concept of “smart”, considering a smart farm as a sustainable and efficient system, livable for farmers and animals. In this paper is presented a case study concerning the project of an on-farm dairy processing building, water and energy self-sufficient. The paper presents location and technology choices to reduce land consumption, and achieve energy and water independence. These results are achieved through the re-use of abandoned buildings, the installation of photovoltaic and thermal solar systems and the installation of a rainwater collection. The work showed that it is not possible to realize a sustainable self-sufficient isolated cheese factory unless it is strongly integrated with the sheep farm itself. Urban horticulture can be a powerful tool for the redesign of urban communities and, consequently, of urban spaces. It is a rapidly growing phenomenon in Italy and in the rest of Europe as well, thanks to its ability to become an area of peaceful dialogue in communities with problematic social environments. In this paper is described an Italian experience carried out in the city of Perugia.