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BAM: a new civic and cultural voice for Italy
Biblioteca degli Alberi, “The Library of Trees”, today unveils a new identity under an agreement signed by the City of Milan, COIMA Sgr, and the Riccardo Catella Foundation. From this moment, the third largest public park in Milan takes the new name of BAM, Biblioteca degli Alberi Milano: Milan’s Library of Trees (BAM). The agreement also defines the responsibilities of the Riccardo Catella Foundation for the park’s technical and cultural management.
BAM is Milan’s third largest green space and the only park not closed by fences, connecting it seamlessly with the urban fabric. BAM purpose is to provide a space designed for the city: leading a pilot project aimed at creating a place of excellence, the nerve centre of a network open to collaborations with organisations and companies, and promoting heightened civic and cultural awareness among all citizens.
The objective was to implement an Italian project at par with worldwide standards of excellence in the management of public spaces, serving as a cultural engine of urban regeneration, and involving the community on issues of global relevance, including matters of climate change, public education, social diversity and inclusion.
The programme, inspired by the United Nations 17 objectives of sustainable development, is divided into four pillars: #openairculture (music, site-specific performances, literary readings, “theatre in landscape”), #nature (discovery walks, the park’s botanical and wildlife variety, respect for nature, nature workshops and readings), #wellness (outdoor well-being, physical activities) and #education (public lectures on innovation and sustainability themes, urban gardening, educational and creative workshops – for children, adults, families). Recognising the highly innovative model, BAM has been joined by a series of major companies in specified partnerships. Among these are Nike, BNP Paribas, UniCredit and Volvo, with the latter being reconfirmed under the new agreement in the role of Park Ambassador, in a strengthened relationship with COIMA, the Riccardo Catella Foundation and the City of Milan.