Investments for urban spaces and improvement of living conditions for millions of people. If Renzo Piano had launched the idea of "mending" the suburbs with the centre-left governments, the mayors are now putting a project to relaunch spending in the cities on the table with the Conte government. Plan a year ago had estimated 2 billion and 100 million euros for the compromised areas, the Association of Municipalities does not quantify the business, but looks far ahead. MaRio Occhiuto, Anci delegate for Urban Planning and Works public, as well as mayor of Cosenza, punta right to urban redevelopment far and wide. Compared to a year ago, what is new is that alongside the Municipalities there are the builders gathered in the ANCE. Interests? Speculations? We don't run. On the contrary. In the aftermath of the Svimez report on the South which certifies that the greatest imbalances are consumed in the suburbs, the strong idea is to get back to work immediately.
Where to start? In October there will be the annual meeting of mayors and it will be necessary to decide what to do seriously. In the meantime – explains Occhiuto – let's start with the procedures. "To relaunch the country system, it is necessary to simplify the existing rules and use all available resources in valid and sustainable projects". At the same time focus on the quality of urban spaces through their redevelopment and regeneration. The mayors they ask that theirs proposals find space in the measures being examined by Parliament. The money – from European money to private sums – is there, but a fundamental issue to be resolved concerns the simplification and speeding up of procedures.
“In this historical moment, Municipalities and companies share themes and interests such as the regeneration and sustainability of urban development”, adds Occhiuto. Among us there is absolute unity of intent on the fact that investments can go in a useful direction for the Municipalities and for businesses. We must direct them towards public works that will be able to improve the face of cities and therefore the quality of life of people. Occhiuto, a few months ago in the Calabrian city inaugurated the highest bridge in Europe designed by the Catalan starchitect Santiago Calatrava. The theme of city redevelopment è however suggestive and, as already for the suburbs studied by Renzo Piano, in the end it will have to be accompanied by a cultural and environmental sentiment. It would be naïve to deny that the development of some territories is conditioned by exogenous factors. But local authorities don't joke about paperwork and authorizations that depress spending. This is also a test case for the government.
"It is not enough to simplify the rules as much as possible, it is also necessary - continues Occhiuto - to counter bad practices nestled in procedural lengths that do not benefit transparency". The Anci proposes to raise the threshold for custody dei projects, bring it to the services quota, with roof dei 200 thousand euros. And again, "a level of project definition in the hands of the first citizens with all the necessary authorizations, to avoid wasting time for the executive project". In the stratification of local realities, there are also small Municipalities. Those entities that suffer from the lack of specific skills useful for complex projects. Una final critique è per the new Code of Procurement that after two years has not yet been fully implemented. As proof, Ance declares that the Municipalities were among the most affected contracting entities, if in 2016 they had a 37% drop in the amount of the works put out to tender. At the Bari Assembly in October it will be understood whether the Mayors will be treated as entrepreneurs of civilization.
