Altamura rediscovers the value of the natural sound landscape, choosing to protect it through a symbolic and concrete recognition: the creation of a silent area in the open countryside, in the heart of the upper Murgia
What is a silent area in the open countryside
A Silent area in the open countryside It is located far from the inhabited centers and is characterized by a low level of environmental noise.
In these spaces natural sounds such as wind, water and animals prevail. The noises caused by human activities are absent or not very relevant.
These areas are found in public spaces or in any case accessible to everyone. They are often intended for relaxation, to conservation of nature and listening to the sound environment.
The importance of protecting the sound landscape
Silent areas are obtained by delimiting specific areas in which natural sounds can emerge without artificial interference.
The goal is to offer citizens places to listen to nature in peace, far from the noise of infrastructure and industrial activities.
The sound landscape changes over time. In winter, for example, chirping, the frinire of insects and the flow of streams are reduced.
In the tourist areas, however, there can be an increase in noise due to the recreational activities carried out in the most crowded months.
Not only sounds: view also wants its part
These places not only offer silence, but also visual beauty. The landscape, in fact, contributes to the overall perception of well -being.
Visual perception and individual expectation play a key role in sensory experience. Silence and beauty strengthen each other.
For this reason, it is essential to protect these environments also from an aesthetic and cultural point of view, not only acoustic.
Altamura chooses silence to enhance the Pulo
The municipality of Altamura, in the province of Bari, has chosen to enhance silence. He identified the Pulo di Altamura as a silent area.
It is an area of great geological and natural value, located in the heart of the upper Murgia. A place where nature and history coexist.
The decision represents an important step for environmental protection and strengthens the link between the population and its territory.
A significant step
«It is a significant step for the environmental protection and the enhancement of the natural heritage – he said Antonello Fiorenational president of Italian Society of Environmental Geology (Siga) -. The Pulo di Altamura, with its geophony and biofonia, is configured as a refuge for those looking for the beauty of natural sounds, contributing to the psycho-physical well-being of citizens and traveling and the conservation of ecosystems.
In a world increasingly dominated by technological sounds and anthropic pressures, these areas take on a vital importance, allowing everyone to reconnect with nature and to rediscover the ancient value of an “authentic sound landscape” “.
A step towards UNESCO recognition
This choice is part of the wider path for the recognition of theHigh Murgia come Geoparco UNESCO.
Protecting the sound landscape and places rich in biodiversity and geological memory means promoting a culture of sustainability.
With the Pulo di Altamura, Altamura becomes a symbol of a careful and forward -looking approach in the management of its natural heritage.
«It is a gesture of protection and enhancement that refers to an unfair past in which the Pulo was unfortunately considered an open -air landfill, far from the dignity it deserves. Thanks to the constant commitment of local administrations and civil society activists, today we can proudly affirm that we are returning to the Pulo di Altamura its right value, transforming it into a symbol of rebirth, protection of the environment and common well -being “concludes Fiore.