LUCCA
HUM-ANIMAL BONDS HUB
On this page you will learn about the Visionary and Integrated Solutions (VIS) implemented in the pilot city of Lucca during the course of the IN-HABIT project.
About the city
A small city in Tuscany, central Italy, Lucca has a population of about 88,000 inhabitants. It is a relatively wealthy city where tourism and creativity are cornerstones of the local economy, with festivals such as Lucca Comics & Games and Lucca Summer Festival. The city in turn presents important ageing problems.
Thematic focus: Domestic animals
Geographical focus: Whole city
OBJECTIVE
The project aimed to create the first Human-animal (Hum-animal) smart city in Europe.
VIS SUMMARY
“Animal Lines” accessible for humans and their pets were built in order to reconnect the historic centre, the ancient walls and the surrounding green areas. Public spaces (such as recreational areas for dogs) were also set up and used to promote activities that bring animals and humans together. Along with infrastructure, the project implemented several activities aimed at improving human wellbeing, such as cultural activities, new enterprises and tourism, all related to the hum-animal bond. These actions were accompanied by the creation of policies for a hum-animal smart city.
DISCOVER LUCCA’S VISIONARY AND INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS
1. Urban Hum-Animal City Planning
2. Animal Lines and Hum-Animal Relational Areas
3. Animal-Assisted Interventions
4. Pet-Care Service
5. Educational Activities in Schools and Board Game
6. Economic Innovative Initiatives
7. Hum-Animal Chart of Services
8. City Engagement on Hum-Animal Events
9. Hum-Animal Game Board
1. Urban Hum-Animal City Planning
Type: Social and Nature-Based innovation
IN-HABIT in Lucca introduced the concept of a hum-animal integrated urban policy. The concept views the human-animal bond within the perspective of the promotion of innovative public goods based on Animal Nature-Based Solutions. An integrated hum-animal urban policy links diverse sectors – such as environment, public building, education, social and health, economic, tourism policies – into an integrated whole that values human-animal bonds as a way of enhancing inclusive health and well-being, with specific attention to the most vulnerable citizens. A hum-animal city gives value to Animal Nature-Based Solutions for elders and people with disabilities, by introducing Animal-Assisted Interventions, therapies, and activities for fragile people within public health institutions. It takes into consideration the potential of animals in educational activities, in engaging citizens with specific events and activities, in reorganising public spaces within the hum-animal perspective, enhancing inclusive health and well-being for citizens (by changing daily routines linked to pet management, increasing their mobility and possibilities for play, enhancing societal dialogue among diverse social strata via their pet’s engagement), and introducing innovative social services able to link hum-animal needs (e.g. for fragile isolated people handling pets, to reengage homeless people running pets).
2. Animal Lines and Hum-Animal Relational Areas
Type: Hard VIS / Nature-Based Innovation
These spaces are designed to strengthen human-animal bonds, promote social interaction among people, enhance daily routines, and increase opportunities for physical activity, play, and personal time. They can be organised through the “Animal Lines” – paths linking the city centre with suburban and peri-urban areas, including existing routes and under-utilised surrounding green spaces – and “Relational Areas” – large spaces accessible to people and their pets, connected to the Animal Lines. Relational areas are open to all and specifically designed to accommodate pets, ensuring their safe and unrestricted mobility. Both types of spaces aim to foster human–animal relationships, thereby promoting social cohesion, inclusion, and well-being for citizens, including vulnerable groups.
3. Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI)
Type: Soft VIS / Social and Nature-Based innovation
Animal Assisted Interventions involve the use of animals to promote human health and well-being. In many countries, including Italy, such interventions are regulated by national guidelines and are delivered by skilled professionals working with trained animals. AAI can take place in a variety of settings and provide innovative animal-based services tailored to diverse populations, particularly vulnerable individuals. They are typically classified into animal assisted activities, education and therapies, depending on the type and intensity of the intervention. AAIs may involve different species, including dogs, cats, donkeys, horses, and rabbits. In Italy, there is a public registry of professionals authorized to provide these interventions.
4. Pet-Care Service
Type: Soft VIS / Social and Nature-Based innovation
The Pet Care service is an innovative initiative provided by the municipality in formal agreement with NGOs, aimed at supporting vulnerable individuals who experience (sometimes temporary) difficulties in managing their pets. The service seeks to assist both people and their animals, strengthening social networks and promoting societal dialogue beyond formal health institutions. Operated 24/7 via telephone by local NGOs, the service offers three types of support: Domestic services (caring for the pet at home, purchasing basic necessities); Outdoor services with the owner (accompanying the owner to the vet or walking the dog together); Outdoor services without the owner (transporting the pet to the vet or walking the dog independently).
5. Educational Activities in Schools and Board Game
Type: Soft VIS / Social and cultural innovation
Educational activities were implemented over a two-year period in schools in Lucca (primary, secondary, and high schools), as well as within degree courses at the University of Pisa. The activities were co-designed by the municipality’s educational department in collaboration with school administrations. Activities were delivered across different classes, either with or without the presence of animals, depending on the specific requests. In cases where animals were involved, the sessions were organized as Animal Assisted Activities (AAA) conducted by certified professionals and trained animals. The educational methodology was designed to be engaging and age-appropriate, adapting content to students’ cognitive levels and learning capacities. Each program consisted of four hours of activity (four one-hour sessions). In ten classes across five schools, a condensed one-hour version was implemented, primarily focused on playing a specially designed educational board game. Evaluation tests were administered to assess the educational impact of the activities.
6. Economic Innovative Initiatives
Type: Hard VIS / Nature-based innovation
At the city level, there is growing potential to support economic activities related to pets and pet management, as well as innovative services connected to the promotion of Animal Nature-Based Solutions. The economic outcomes of the pet economy may include both the enhancement of existing businesses –allowing them to better respond to emerging societal demands and increased attention to animals– and the development of entirely new business ideas. The pet economy encompasses a wide range of activities, engaging people with diverse levels of skills and expertise, from basic competencies to highly specialized knowledge. Notably, many new entrepreneurs in this sector are women, highlighting the potential of the pet economy to support inclusion and gender balance within the economic landscape. Additionally, focus groups and training activities have been organized to promote pet-friendly tourism, targeting existing businesses. (These initiatives often involve firms incubated by the project or companies supporting the IN-HABIT project through their expertise in specific economic areas.)
7. Hum-Animal Chart of Services
Type: Hard VIS / Cultural and Nature-Based Innovation
This chart presents the 15 km of Animal Lines, and the 2 relational areas organised in Lucca, along with the results of a census of existing pet-based activities and services in Lucca. This document serves as a practical reference, illustrating the key features of a hum-animal city and providing a framework that can be adapted and implemented in other contexts.
8. City Engagement on Hum-Animal Events
Type: Soft VIS / Cultural and Nature-Based Innovation
An urban restorative approach linked to the hum-animal concept can be strengthened through the organization of targeted events, enhancing the inclusiveness and play-worthiness of the city. Such events create opportunities to engage diverse groups, including children, young people, families, and pet handlers, while promoting awareness of human–animal interactions. In the Lucca case, events included a variety of initiatives, such as: Reading sessions about animals for children, Hum-animal board game activities designed for children and families, Activities in the relational areas facilitated by dog-educators, Creative workshops, Informal, accessible events for sharing results and discussing hum-animal initiatives with citizens, Demonstrations with specially trained dogs (e.g. mantrailing, guide dogs for visually impaired individuals), “Six feet walks” in nature, Installation of specific spaces for the hum-animal idea in running events and other public gatherings. These activities not only foster engagement and community building but also reinforce the visibility and practical application of the hum-animal city concept.
9.Hum-Animal Game Board
Type: Hard VIS / Cultural and Nature-Based Innovation
To promote better human–animal interactions, LuccaCrea developed a board game based on the geography of Lucca, incorporating local places and names. The game introduces players to responsible pet management, taking into account the type of pets, family composition, and available city resources. It also highlights external services that can support households in managing multiple pets, providing an engaging and educational tool for families and children.
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