On Thursday, October 8th, residents of the Barriol neighborhood, alongside associations and institutional partners, gathered for the second 'Barriol clean together' operation. This initiative aims to sustainably improve the living environment through collective commitment to cleanliness and respect for daily surroundings.
Led by the association Regards and the Barriol Citizen Council, with support from the Arles Crau Camargue Montagnette Agglomeration Community (ACCM) under the City Contract, the action follows up on the first mobilization in June. The goal is to foster collective dynamics and encourage everyone to actively preserve their environment.
Timed with European Sustainable Development Week, this edition highlighted environmental issues. Awareness workshops were offered, facilitated by various local structures including the Christian Cheze Social Center, ADDAP 13, the Ressourcerie d’Arles, and the association MILVI, which specializes in plastic recycling.
The operation echoed a major cleanup held that morning by the City of Arles. Ilam Bouaroua, an ACCM community councilor and deputy for the Barriol district, emphasized the importance of coordinating neighborhood initiatives to encourage residents' ownership of public spaces and strengthen community cohesion.
A highlight of the afternoon was a participatory art creation by the association MILVI. Using recycled plastic waste, children and adults crafted a large-scale representation of an iconic Barriol tower slated for demolition as part of urban renewal. This symbolic project, initiated during the local bullfighting festival, showcases residents' ability to transform discarded materials into a collective artwork embodying memory and future.
The 'Barriol clean together' initiative aligns fully with the objectives of the 2026 City Contract, strengthening ties among neighborhood stakeholders and contributing step-by-step to building a more pleasant and respected living environment for all.
