by Valentina Salcedo
interview by Elena Doz
The community says “the pine forest is the medicine we need” as they explain their reasons to stop the construction and preserve the hospital that has served the city for decades.
The spontaneous Committee for the Pinewood of Cattinara is making their point very clear – they are fighting to save the forest, but also the history, with the protection of one of the most important and historical places of the city. ASUGI, the public healthcare system, is planning on building the Burlo Garofolo maternal and child hospital in Cattinara as ‘the Municipality wants to have mothers and newborns or children, close to each other’.
With the new construction the new Burlo would eliminate a bunch of trees in the parking lot and part of the forest. Also, to build two new roads for the hospital more trees will be sacrificed and others, replaced by saplings.
“We are trying to save a hill, while they are trying to build a new pediatric hospital, five floors, that would mean destruction of nearly 400 trees. We say this pediatric hospital can stay here, as it has since 1938, why move it ?” Paolo Radivo told us.
A good thing about having pines is the weather regulation, especially during summer and winter, when it helps dampening the wind and easing the cold, ensuring the coolness. The trees would be replaced with concrete and asphalt. The question is what’s the priority now and, keeping the public wellness in mind, what would be the best choice for everyone. The Committee will be discussing these topics and more questions on Wednesday August 9 at the entry of the Hospital Cattinara, and next Friday August 11 in Via delle Torri.
