Gibellina initiates ecological regeneration of artificial lake

The city of Gibellina in Sicily has begun a civic regeneration project to transform an artificial lake into a natural ecosystem. As part of an artistic residency by the Stalker Group, the project involves the removal of concrete from the lake's banks to make room for greenery.

Local residents and students have planted 120 aromatic shrubs, including rosemary, thyme, and heather, along the shoreline. The initiative also includes the installation of two new access ramps to ensure the area is accessible to individuals with disabilities. This effort marks the first 'de-cementification' of a public site in Sicily.

The project aims to reconnect the community with a landscape originally designed by architect Oswald Mathias Ungers, which had previously felt disconnected from the local population. A second phase is planned for late October, focusing on the hill between the lake and the Church of San Giuseppe, where a small oak forest and pedestrian path will be established to support migratory and resident bird species.