Abstract

The Taranto area has recently been included among the sacrifice zones in the world. The sacrifice is that of the inhabitants of the neighborhoods located close to the vast industrial area who for decades have been suffering from a condition of discomfort that seriously compromises their health due to heavy pollution. In the first part of this article, after an in-depth study of the notion of sacrifice zone, the inclusion of the Ionian territory in the list of these hardly compromised areas is explained, in which the perception of the risk experienced by the population deserves to be taken into consideration seriously by the institutions. The second part proposes what comes up from listening to a large sample of young residents in the Tamburi district, the one most affected by the wounds inflicted by pollution. The outcome of the six focus groups conducted highlights the belief that the future of the Ionian city cannot depend only on large-scale industry but that we must enhance the beauty that enriches a land in which history, art, culture could offer a less problematic future as well as agriculture, mariculture and fishing.