Italian Government Freezes €2 Billion for Suburban Renewal Plan Until 2020
The Italian government has put a hold on €2 billion allocated for the Piano Periferie (Suburbs Plan), an urban revitalization initiative launched by former Prime Ministers Matteo Renzi and Paolo Gentiloni. This suspension, enacted through amendment 13.2 of decree law no. 717 (Milleproroghe), impacts 120 projects in 96 cities until 2020. The amendment passed in the Senate with 148 votes in favor, 110 against, and 3 abstentions, awaiting a decision from the Chamber of Deputies in September. Giuseppe Cappochin criticized this move, highlighting the plan's significance. While 24 projects secured €500 million in March 2017, 96 now face delays. Mayors Antonio Decaro and Sergio Giordani have threatened legal action, whereas Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio supported the freeze.
Key facts
- Amendment 13.2 to decree law no. 717 freezes funds for the Piano Periferie until 2020.
- €2 billion allocated for 120 projects in 96 cities and metropolitan areas are blocked.
- The Senate approved the amendment with 148 yes, 110 no, and 3 abstentions.
- 24 projects funded in March 2017 with €500 million are not affected.
- Giuseppe Cappochin, President of the National Council of Architects, criticized the decision.
- Mayors Antonio Decaro (Bari) and Sergio Giordani (Padua) threatened legal action.
- Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio stated the measure facilitates fund use, not blocks it.
- The Piano Periferie was launched in May 2016 under Renzi and Gentiloni governments.
Entities
Institutions
- National Council of Architects, Planners, Landscape Architects and Conservators
- ANCI – National Association of Italian Municipalities
- Italian Senate
- Chamber of Deputies
- Presidency of the Council of Ministers
- Commissione parlamentare di inchiesta sulle periferie
Locations
- Italy
- Rome
- Milan
- Naples
- Bari
- Padua
- Avellino
- Lecce
- Vicenza
- Bergamo
- Modena
- Florence
- Turin
- Grosseto
- Mantua
- Brescia
- Andria
- Latina
- Genoa
- Oristano
- Ascoli Piceno
- Salerno
- Messina
- Prato
- Cagliari
- Bologna
- Ostia
- Adriano (Milan)
- Scampia (Naples)