Naples – Demolition work has begun on the Vela Gialla in the Naples neighbourhood Scampia, marking a new chapter in the transformation of one of the most complex areas of the city. After the demolition of the Green Sail in 2020, it is now the turn of the Yellow Sail, while the Red Sail will be the next to be razed.
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The Vela Celeste, on the other hand, will be the subject of redevelopment after the tragic collapse of a balcony last July 22, which caused the death of three people and injured 12 others.
Mayor Gaetano Manfredi called this day “important for Naples,” stressing that the city is keeping its commitments. “Today we begin demolishing the first of the two remaining Vele and, at the same time, construction sites for the construction of new buildings have already begun,” the mayor declared.
“A city that makes commitments and respects them in a timely manner demonstrates its desire to respond to people’s needs. We are working to solve a problem that has persisted for decades.”
Manfredi recalled the conditions in which Scampia found itself upon his arrival: “I found housing situations unworthy of a civilized country. Democracy is defended by guaranteeing equal dignity to all, and this is what we are doing”.
Referring to the tragedy in July, the mayor added: "That pain is not forgotten. Our commitment was to honor the victims with a concrete response, because for too many years promises were made that were never kept. My thoughts go out to them, but today we are demonstrating that Naples knows how to keep its word."
Scampia, a neighborhood in transformation
The city administration is working to transform Scampia into a “nerve” neighborhood for the city. Manfredi, who as rector contributed to the opening of a university in the neighborhood, emphasized how this choice represented a strong signal: “Scampia is a normal neighborhood, where people live who want a fair life and their rights. It is an important piece of Naples, which represents not only a challenge but also an opportunity”.
The mayor then highlighted the importance of accompanying the demolition of the Vele with the construction of new homes: "It's not enough to demolish, we also need to rebuild. Our project involves doing both things together, because if demolishing is complex, rebuilding is even more so. This is a clear signal: Naples will not stop."
Naples, a city that looks to the future
Manfredi concluded with a message of hope: “I would like it to be said that Scampia is a reality that looks to the future, that has had the courage to change. It has had a difficult history, like many Italian suburbs, but it has not stopped. Naples is a great city, made of extraordinary energies, both in its centers and in the suburbs, and it is demonstrating this with facts”.
With the demolition of the Vela Gialla, Naples takes a further step towards the redevelopment of Scampia, a neighborhood that wants to leave stereotypes behind and look to the future with confidence.
Article published on March 10, 2025 - 14pm
