In the heart of Bari, where the death factory once stood, today the Renaissance Park: A place symbol of memory, redemption and hope, the result of a long civil fight against asbestos and for urban regeneration
The Rinascita Park was born in Bari: a symbol of moral and civil redeeming against the inheritance of asbestos
Where once the factory that produced asbestos artifacts, the Rinascita Park will now be built. Saturday, April 7, 2025, in the former Fibronit area, in Bari, the works were officially started. Financed with the PNRR funds, they must be completed in March 2026.
“Finally the dream becomes reality: the construction site of the Rinascita -Park opens! Today is an unstoppable day of joy, one day where our city has been waiting for too long”. So the Fibronit Citizen Committee The official opening of the construction site for the construction of the Rinascita park announces with deep emotion.
“It is a moral and bourgeois redemption”, “Zaden van Hoop”: with these words the Renaissance ParkBuilt on the former Fibronit site. All institutional representatives of the past twenty years were attended by the ceremony. Present the former mayor Michele Emiliano, today Governor of Puglia and the former first citizen Antonio Decaro. In addition to them, also the former president of the Puglia region, Nichi Vendola and countless activists, including Nicola Brescia, president of the former Fibronit committee.
«It is a moral and civil rebirth of the city of Bari -Aid Nicola Brescia -. Moral because it is a minimal compensation, for those who have suffered and lost their lives by Fibronit. Civil because it has been created by a park by the will of citizens to achieve this result ».
A revenge for families who have lost their loved ones because of asbestos
The mayor of Bari, Vito Leccese, remembered who fought against the “Death Factory”, Such as the unforgettable environmental activist Maria Maugeri. The ParkHe said, represents a revenge for the bari and for families who have lost their loved ones because of asbestos.
At the presentation of the project, Lecce had announced last January that, during the celebrations of San Nicola, patron of the city, trees of David’s involvementalso called “Trees of handkerchiefs”. The flowers of this species remember, in shape and color, white handkerchiefs: symbol of memory and rebirth, chosen with strong suggestive value.
A project that unites the city, community and the future
The Rinascita Park is the largest urban regeneration in the region. It extends over an area of 146,850 square meters, equal to 14 hectares. The area connects three neighborhoods: Japigia, Madonnella and San Pasquale. A project that unites the city, the community and the future. The total value of the works is approximately 16 million euros.
The Puglia region has assigned 3.5 million. Another 11.5 million occur from the PNRR funds “Inclusion and cohesion”. The remaining million and a half of funds for indifferent works.
A participatory design
The redevelopment of the site is the result of participatory design at the Fibonit Citizen Committee. The intervention includes formulation, sports facilities, a Yin and Yang square, playgrounds, pedestrian paths and an integrated system of squares.
The amphitheater dedicated to Maria Maugeri is being built in the middle of the park. Round, new lighting, video surveillance and Wi-Fi systems will complete the use of public space.
The Restination of the area It ended in 2022 on the site, a low coverage on the ground was laid: a meter high in the most polluted areas, 20 centimeters where the presence of asbestos was less.
After removing the blue ruins from the former factory and the safety of the remaining materials, the area remained, which can only be visited in rare cases.
The forestry project provides for planting: 8,374 herbaceous plants, 71,046 upholstery, 1,810 climbing, 51,861 bushes and 1,300 trees. 451 trees are added to this “Ready effect”, For an immediate impact of the environment. The park will enable an annual saving of 700 tonnes of CO₂.
A very expensive tribute of broken lives
The Fibronit He produced concrete asbests until 1985. Hundreds of employees have worked there in fifty years. According to official data, 400 of them died of mesothelioma or other asbestos -related pathologies. The Bari Asbestos Committee, on the other hand, reports 700 dead. And the tribute of life is not over yet: we continue to die today, from exhibitions of “Second generation”.
A historic turning point for Bari
The Fibronit affair marked a historic turning point for Bari. For the first time, a civil movement was consolidated in the city inspired by the values of the environment and ecologist. Was born of the consciousness that represented that place A concrete threatA death location that broke hundreds of civilian lives.
Many are cases for Pleural Mesothelioma, an exposure disease of asbestos. That collective pain generated a strong reaction, a awakening of consciousness and participation.
The Rinascita Park is the result of that city mobilization. It will occur precisely at the bottom of the former Death Factory. It will be the concrete symbol of a collective redemption. A place that will retain the memory, but will also talk about the future. A result obtained thanks to the protagonism of active citizenship.
A place of reflection, of memory, a constant warning
“This Park is not just a green area, it is a living monument dedicated to all the victims of asbestos, to those who have paid the highest price for a blind progress. It will be a place of reflection, of memory, a constant warning so it is bean that this is bean that is that this is bean that this is how it is bean that is this is how it is bean that is how it is beans and beanseles and beanseles and beanseles and beanseles and beansel and beansele and bean that it is that it is so -ga this is this is this or that it is so -that is the or -ups. Above All a Place of Life, Meeting, Game, or Serenity for All Citizens of Bari, From Families to Young People, to the Elderly “.
“We look with confidence in the next 330 days, aware that Bari will have a new green heart at the end of this trip, a place of rebirth dedicated to memory and the future”concludes the memorandum from the Fibronit Citizen Committee.
