Naples new rules for catering on public land

Naples.

The aim is to bring order to a complex matter which has already been the subject of interventions, such as the regulations approved last June for the installation of outdoor seating in Old Town Unesco and in the Buffer Zone.

Councilor for Productive Activities Teresa Armato illustrated the work carried out in collaboration with a technical table composed of the Department of Architecture of Federico II, the Superintendency and the Chamber of Commerce.

The aim was to develop rules that combine the needs of commercial activities with respect for architectural features, decorum and liveability of the city.

Simplification and responsibility

The proposed changes mainly concern the way in which applications are submitted. The procedure has been simplified and applicants will have to be more responsible, providing detailed information on surrounding obstructions, such as street furniture and benches.

New opportunities and attention to disability

The possibility of occupying the blue lines is introduced, subject to evaluation by the Municipality and the local Police. Another novelty is the provision of integrated area projects and the definition of a relationship between the occupied surface and the available toilet facilities.

Gennaro Esposito (Mixed Group) stressed the importance of taking into account the current state of the city and the high number of occupations of public land existing in the historic center, which can create problems of livability and safety.

Massimo Cilenti (Napoli libera) recalled the work of the Social Policies commission to draft a plan to remove architectural barriers, which Deputy Mayor Laura Lieto is working on. A preliminary discussion is therefore necessary to make the new rules compatible with the needs of disabled citizens and tourists.

Towards a more liveable historic center and new opportunities in the suburbs

President Esposito said he was in favor of introducing new rules, in particular the one that allows the occupation of parking spaces, as already happens in other Italian and European cities.

A way to free up sidewalks and spaces often occupied by abandoned cars. The more stringent rules for the historic center, moreover, can become an opportunity for the opening of new businesses in the suburbs.

The director of the Suap Antonietta Rubino has specified that the regulation provides certain criteria to avoid disputes. The presentation of requests accompanied by detailed plans, also with respect to the surrounding encumbrances, facilitates the work of the offices which, in any case, issue the concession only after a favorable opinion from all the competent services.

Next steps

The discussion in the commission will continue in the next few days, with the aim of collecting the observations and suggestions of all participants.

The approval of resolution 198 would represent an important step towards a more liveable and orderly historic center, with new development opportunities for commercial activities even in the outskirts of the city.