Bianca Russo

Resiplant proposes an effective system for the conservation of terrace farming, making it more resilient over time.

Resiplant focuses on the terrace farming landscape of Cinque Terre, Italy.

This landscape is one of the most unique and endangered areas in the world. Its cultivated terraces have always been kept in place by dry walls and the farmers maintaining them. However, these maintenance methods haven’t changed in centuries, becoming ineffective as both the local community and environment changes.

Due to these difficulties, more and more farmers have started to leave this terraced land, leaving 80% of the area abandoned.

This terraced landscape, if not maintained, becomes unstable. With climate change and heavy rains, the area is at an increasing risk of devastating landslides.

The current attempts to help are mainly focused on the cultivated terraces rather than the abandoned terraces. How can we reclaim and cure the entire landscape, if this antiquated system doesn’t evolve?

The Resiplant system increases the resilience and sustainability of these terraced landscapes by introducing a plant species that creates root-based wall reinforcements for the terraces. It’s aimed at creating both ecosystemic and behavioural change, to preserve the structural integrity and cultural heritage of this landscape.

I designed a kit with my own 100% biodegradable material which is lightweight and can be planted with the plant itself, so it's easy to transport and has zero waste.