Urban regeneration and high rents, Laudani: the land must be governed. From former barracks to 'blocks'

«The regeneration Urban housing is a necessity. With one goal: to increase the rental housing stock of ERS, Social Housing." Councilor for Urban Planning Raffaele Laudani confirms the collaboration with private stakeholders, recalling the dialogue also with developers, as Federica Zini, vice president of Ance Emilia, emphasized in Il Carlino .

Councilor, rents in the city are rising: we're talking about an increase of €350 in five years...

"This is why we need to work on land-use planning, initiate policies to regenerate abandoned areas, with direct intervention by the administration on the ERS building sector, and put vacant housing back on the market."

The second urban planning variant also includes a crackdown on B&Bs. Will this help the rental market?

"The increase in rents isn't solely linked to this. However, regulating them is certainly important. The territory needs to be managed: in the city center, there's too much concentration of short-term tourist rentals, so they need to be scaled back; in other areas, however, they need to be incentivized. The Region, however, is also regulating the issue with a law: we will act accordingly."

How is the process of the second urban planning variant progressing?

«We will bring it to the council by the end of the year or early 2026».

Will the new urban planning variant also put a stop to other high-rise buildings like those that were the subject of a complaint by citizens' committees that triggered an investigation?

Our decision at the beginning of our mandate, with the amendment to the General Urban Plan, discussed with Ance and other trade associations, introduces a limit on building heights in homogeneous areas. In other non-homogeneous areas, however, the limit is a density index of 2.2. This will allow us to avoid high-rise buildings in areas where buildings are not very tall, while vertical construction will be possible, avoiding land consumption, in other spaces: decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Is there a risk, from the high-rise buildings to the high house prices in the city, of becoming like Milan?

"The comparison with Milan in terms of regulations, procedures, and substance is misplaced. These are completely different contexts."

Where are we at with regards to the urban regeneration of barracks and abandoned buildings?

"For the three Sani, Mazzoni, and Masini barracks, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti should soon present us with a specific plan."

Are temporary uses continuing in abandoned buildings?

"The former Scalo Ravone has become the driving force behind this initiative. We are, therefore, temporarily reviving the courtyard of the Masini barracks, the former Boldrini barracks, and the former Bastardini hospital, and we have published the call for proposals for Villa Turri..."

Any news for Prati di Caprara and the former Stamoto and Perotti barracks?

"For the Prati di Caprara area, we are in positive dialogue with Invimit and expect a proposal soon that meets the city's expectations. For Stamoto, we have agreed on a public-private partnership project with the State Property Agency, which should be finalized in a few months. Work is beginning on the former Perotti barracks to house the regional archives for the Revenue Agency."