«This uncontrolled growth of weeds determines a sense of neglect and abandonment of the city areas which the inhabitants of the suburbs perceive as superficiality on the part of the institutions in guaranteeing a healthy and clean environment. But, despite the impressions, there is a substantial problem, namely that this causes the deterioration of the numerous essences planted in the various flowerbeds due to the removal of sunlight, nourishment and water which occurs at the expense of the weeds. Furthermore, uncontrolled growth of these plant species leads to a proliferation of insects and other organisms which can compromise the health of urban green areas and create considerable inconvenience for citizens. From the mayor’s social networks we learn that, through a post published on May 16, 2024, he himself asked Bar.SA to “mow the weeds present in several parts of the city” and even then addressed the citizens asking them to report the degraded areas and therefore to be mowed.
It is absurd that in a city of around 100,000 inhabitants like Barletta the first citizen should be the one to authorize the cleaning of green areas and there is no preliminary planning of the interventions to be carried out in order to avoid situations of neglect. It is also absurd to ask citizens to report areas to be maintained or cleaned as the municipality, which manages the city’s green areas through BAR.SA, should be aware of all the areas that require maintenance and care. What if a citizen doesn’t report it or the mayor forgets about some area to clean up? An expanding city, like Barletta, in addition to boasting an ever-increasing number of buildings, should also have among its objectives that of enhancing and protecting green areas.
Furthermore, increasing the urban green heritage does not mean planting trees, shrubs or various plants without anyone being able to take care of their care and maintenance. One of the many examples of trees planted in unsuitable conditions can be found in the area that runs along the Patalini exit of the SS 16 bis. That area, following a proposal of ours endorsed by councilor Carmine Doronzo, regional vice president of Anci at the time – the body that financed and promoted the initiative – was used to host tree species dedicated to students who during the lockdown they obtained their degree electronically and were rewarded through the Smart Graduation Day at the Sports Hall.
It is painful to note how, despite the great opportunity for the Municipality to receive these arboreal plants for free, the mayor and the administration have wasted it by planting them in compact soil not predisposed to their correct growth, resulting in stunted growth and in some cases the death of the plant. Other examples of untreated trees with numerous compromised plants can be found in viale Giulini and in viale Falcone e Borsellino. For the future we ask that for the planting of new tree species the soil that must host them be prepared in a suitable way, with processes that make the soil optimal for the regular growth of the roots. That irrigation systems are installed that allow constant and optimal growth of the various plant species.
Finally, control of spontaneous and weedy species should be guaranteed with soil mulching systems or other systems suitable for this purpose. We ask the municipal administration to intervene as soon as possible with a planning of maintenance interventions on the various green areas of the city and to immediately have systems in place that protect and enhance the arboreal and vegetal heritage of our city”.
