Bari's urban transformation: between gentrification and cultural ferment

Bari is undergoing rapid urban transformation, driven by short-term speculation, construction, and a tendency to imitate larger cities. The city's physical and cultural landscape is changing, with new buildings, bars, B&Bs, and cultural events emerging. Gentrification is visible in neighborhoods like Madonnella and Bari Vecchia, while Libertà, a working-class district, is attracting cultural and urban regeneration projects, including the new CNR headquarters in the former Manifattura Tabacchi. Major architectural interventions include the Nodo Verde by Fuksas and a Bosco Verticale by Stefano Boeri. The art scene is also active, with events like the Bari International Gender Festival, the VOGA contemporary art project, initiatives at Spazio Murat, the Bari Non Ha Il Mare project by Imago Plus, and the public art experiment Il mattino ha Lory in bocca on Madonnella's balconies. The author, Maria Teresa Salvati, reflects on the city's adolescent energy and identity, hoping for a balanced future that preserves its southern character while embracing innovation and sustainability.