Rome: Mayor Gualtieri on housing scarcity and overtourism | EUROtoday

Herr Bürgermeister, Roma si transforma – in welche Richtung wollen Sie Ihre Stadt transformieren?

Rome doesn’t have the construction of a medieval, compact metropolis like most European cities, however has an imperial, star-like form. It is the primary metropolis on this planet to have one million inhabitants. It shrank in measurement within the first centuries after the delivery of Christ 25,000 after which grew slowly once more. This has resulted in Rome having a number of greenery inside. Rome is twelve occasions bigger than Paris, and two thirds of the world is inexperienced. This inexperienced dimension is essential, however requires a number of care and funding. That’s why we wish a metropolis whose providers are nearer to the residents. That’s why we determined to decentralize a number of issues So we’re constructing a extra decentralized community of providers and overcoming the concept that there are purely residential and purely industrial districts. Finally, we need to strengthen the cultural dimension of the town and use it as a lever. This is mirrored not solely in the truth that we’re at the moment making huge investments within the restoration of our heritage – the so-called “Caput Mundi” program contains half a billion in investments in our fountains, monuments and archaeological websites – but additionally in enhancing the accessibility of this heritage and making it extra related to on a regular basis life connecting the lives of residents.

On the way in which to you I handed an indication whose individuals have been combating for reasonably priced housing. Isn’t the social discipline the larger downside in your metropolis?

A scarcity of reasonably priced housing creates many issues – not solely in high quality of life, but additionally in competitiveness and development as labor mobility decreases. In Rome we’ve a scarcity of social housing, which is why we’ve determined to cease the pattern of promoting our actual property holdings and as a substitute purchase new ones. In addition, we’re engaged on the “intermediate class” – social housing for the center class, i.e. for people who find themselves not poor sufficient for conventional social housing however nonetheless can’t afford the free market. This is an important new class that’s continuously rising. We additionally want to enhance the world of ​​the free market. That’s why we created a housing company that helps individuals with ensures and monetary assist to facilitate market entry. The EU’s subsequent multiannual monetary framework might be essential in offering recent cash to cities below stress to create extra reasonably priced housing. Public housing specifically requires subsidies and public cash. If you need to make these flats accessible for very low rents, they should be backed. This can’t be financed from our metropolis funds alone. We urgently want recent sources from the nationwide authorities and from the brand new EU funds, as a result of the housing scenario in Rome is really a serious precedence, even an emergency.

Isn’t Airbnb additionally an enormous downside – are you contemplating a ban for Rome?

In reality, we have to higher regulate short-term leases. Some international locations have already got guidelines for this, however not in Italy. As mayor of Rome, I at the moment don’t have any authorized authority to restrict this type of rental, which I discover unimaginable. What I do not need, nonetheless, is a whole ban. I wish to restrict leases within the heart. The downside right here isn’t solely the decreased availability of housing for locals, however – what’s worse – the hollowing out of the middle, which is being disadvantaged of its residents. This isn’t solely a social downside, but additionally a cultural one, because the character of the town is altering. We need regular residents to stay right here and there to be regular retailers, not simply retailers for vacationers. This would finally additionally enhance the standard of the vacationer provide. I say this with a slight wink, however vacationers are fairly clever. You need to expertise actual Italian life. If they’re simply amongst themselves, it is much less enjoyable for them.

You have already taken a daring method to the sights. Visiting the Trevi Fountain now prices two euros. Is this a measure to discourage vacationers?

I do not need to scare anybody away. The new information reveals that round 65 % of the unique guests are nonetheless coming. But these individuals have the appropriate to get pleasure from the fantastic thing about the fountain with out being crowded by hundreds. We additionally achieve extra funds for restoration and upkeep, and with this cash we have been capable of make entry to all museums free for the residents of Rome. So it is a type of high quality enchancment, and a option to appeal to sources for our heritage with out the intention of driving individuals away. And let’s be sincere: Anyone can afford two euros to benefit from the Trevi Fountain. By the way in which: Access is free after 10 p.m. and for Romans. We need the Romans to be the primary to get pleasure from and stroll round our historic heritage. What we don’t like is the entire “touristification” of our sights, the place all the things loses its authenticity. I’ve nothing towards Rome attracting foreigners – it is a part of its id. It at all times has been and at all times might be. I like listening to different languages ​​within the streets, it would not trouble me. What I do not like is that this consumer-oriented, low-quality mass tourism that exploits all the things.

Speaking briefly of the nationwide scenario, as a member of the Partito Democratico, would you additionally agree that Giorgia Meloni has improved Italy’s picture on this planet?

I’ve no downside saying that Meloni has finished some issues proper by persevering with lots of the insurance policies of earlier governments. In many respects the federal government has not modified something, however has continued what was already finished. So I acknowledge the great: they did not trigger any disasters. They haven’t taken any measures that would destroy parts of our welfare state. But the issue is: They don’t have any technique for qualitative development. The danger for Italy now – additionally in view of a extra demanding worldwide scenario – is that we’ve not made any progress with the power transition. We are closely depending on fossil fuels, which is why our power prices are increased than different international locations. We at the moment are paying the value for not taking important new financial coverage measures. What was “not bad” within the first section is now not sufficient. Since I’m a patriot, I’m completely happy when the nation’s scenario is nice, however I worry that this authorities’s honeymoon is now coming to an finish.

What are the implications of the just lately failed judicial reform?

The first consequence is the belief that any try to alter the structure with a mere parliamentary majority is doomed to failure. This is essential for the German public to know: In Italy we should not have pure proportional illustration, however slightly a majority system. The authorities could have an absolute majority within the chamber, but it surely doesn’t have an absolute majority within the nation. The referendum subsequently reveals the true steadiness of energy. It made it clear: This authorities doesn’t symbolize the vast majority of the inhabitants. The “no” vote within the referendum was a transparent message that this authorities can’t rebuild the structure with its majority alone. I feel the referendum represents a optimistic return to actuality. It has given the center-left camp a powerful enhance. But now the center-left opposition should make the transition: from a mere “no” to a nasty reform to a typical “yes” to a concrete draft of its personal. The referendum makes this alteration extra possible.

In Germany the SPD is at the moment in peril of going below. What provides you hope that your PD has a greater destiny?

First: My occasion is extraordinarily resilient and secure in its assist base. We by no means fall beneath 20 %, it’s a sturdy and stable center-left occasion with a broad base able to defending the rights of working individuals and probably the most susceptible. At the identical time, it’s open to the extra productive elements of society and is eager to forge alliances between the totally different social lessons within the pursuits of nationwide and European pursuits. This occasion now has the chance and the accountability to arrange itself as an actual different. I’m assured that the nationwide management could have the sources and power to construct a coalition that’s aggressive and may win the subsequent election.

Who requested questions Simon Strauss.