LUMEN: New Cultural Hub in Florence's Parco del Mensola

On July 16, 2021, LUMEN, a new cultural space, opened in Florence's Parco del Mensola, a protected area between Settignano and Rovezzano. The space was created through a collaboration of third-sector entities, cultural associations, and private individuals, with the building granted by the Comune di Firenze under a 30-year concession in exchange for maintenance. LUMEN aims to foster sociality, civic participation, and sustainable economic activities, serving as an incubator and accelerator for autonomous initiatives. The space includes two greenhouses and a large plot of land, and features a 'Tazebao' (a bulletin board made from scaffolding tubes, wooden panels, and micro-perforated sheets) installed for the inauguration. The association Icchè ci vah ci vole, founded in 2018 alongside the festival now known as Copula Mundi (opening August 29), manages membership campaigns. LUMEN will host workshops in permaculture, design thinking, legal management for the third sector, carpentry, 3D modeling, and social activities like community gardens, prioritizing vulnerable groups. A participatory process called Tam Tam, coordinated by ND Studio and Codesign Toscana, began in June 2021 and will continue through 2022 to co-design activities. The space aims for environmental and economic sustainability, with plans for a bar and coworking to generate self-sufficiency, and seeks to act politically in Florence's urban regeneration.