Stefano Boeri's Rome redesign plan sparks controversy over direct appointment

Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri has appointed architect Stefano Boeri, President of Triennale Milano, to lead a radical urban renewal plan called Laboratorio Roma50, focusing on suburbs, public transport, green corridors, and a "15-minute city" concept. The direct consultancy contract, to be approved on July 29, 2022, bypasses public tenders, sparking backlash from local architecture firms and the Ordine degli Architetti di Roma (OAR). Labics studio (Maria Claudia Clemente and Francesco Isidori) sent a letter to Gualtieri denouncing the lack of a competition and exclusion of plural voices. OAR issued a statement criticizing the external appointment, the absence of public debate, and the need for transparent procedures. Critics argue the method undermines local expertise and risks centralizing power, while supporters note mayors are elected to make decisions. The controversy highlights tensions between expediency and democratic process in urban planning.