The project REstore Urban Sealed soil for alternative Ecosystem Services (REUSES) fits perfectly into this context. This project is funded by the European Union – Next Generation EU –PNRR • Mission 4 • Component 2 • Investiment 1.1 PRIN 2022. Project code: P2022M3ENS, CUP: I53D23007390001. The goal of the project, which has a duration of 2 years, is to reclaim soils long covered by impermeable materials, reactivating their primary functions, especially productivity, through the establishment of community gardens. The target city is Ancona, a medium-sized city along the Adriatic coast with 100.500 inhabitants. 

The project will primarily focus on these aspects: 

1

Cover removal and characterisation of the soil

The two public slots selected for creating the community gardens will be uncovered, and the soil will be exposed. The soil’s physical, chemical, and biological properties will be evaluated to recognise its dysfunction, threats, and weaknesses.

2

Community garden preparation, compost selection and distribution

The soil of the community gardens will be ploughed and hoed to loosen the compressed soil and prepare the land for the sowing. The appropriate compost will be selected to promote soil restoration and plant growth, thanks to the soil characterisation.

3

Seasonable vegetable plantations

Plantation of the selected vegetables, based on the period of the year: fennels and salad in autumn/winter and tomatoes and potatoes in spring/summer.

4

Analyses of soil and plants

The soil will be characterised after the compost distribution, before and after the plantation. All the components of the vegetables -leaves, tubers, and fruit- will be analysed to evaluate food security.

5

Citizens involvement 

A questionnaire will be designed and distributed to the citizens to evaluate their perceptions of the project and their opinions on community gardens in general.