Naples' Largo Maradona undergoes a makeover: pedestrianization approved.

Naples – In the alleys of the Spanish Quarter, the beating heart of Naples and a pilgrimage destination for football fans from around the world, a small urban revolution is about to begin. The mobility reorganization plan is ready, and the Foqus Foundation has requested an urgent meeting with Municipality 2. The goal: to finally launch the new traffic system, long-awaited.

After three years of study and consultation by the Diarc, the plan calls for a significant reduction in vehicular traffic and the transformation of some streets into pedestrian areas. The decisive meeting with the Municipality is expected to take place by the end of the month.

The plan: new one-way streets and shuttles

The project, curated by Foqus and the Department of Architecture at Federico II University, includes one-way streets in the alleys, pedestrian areas, and a shuttle system to connect tourists and residents.

"Some actions can begin immediately," explained Mobility Councilor Edoardo Cosenza, confirming that the plan is aiming for a gradual rollout in early 2026. The pedestrianization of Via De Deo, the street home to the famous Maradona mural, will be one of the symbolic interventions.

The controversies: scooters, bans and parking

But not everyone applauds. Lorenzo Iorio, Councilor for Productive Activities for Municipality 2, calls for stricter measures: "Yes to pedestrianization, but no more scooters. We need cameras and automatic fines for those who violate the ZTL."

For Iorio, the sore point remains the lack of parking: "Residents should have dedicated parking spaces. Consider parking on Corso Vittorio Emanuele or in the abandoned buildings in the Neighborhoods."

Currently, the lack of regulated spaces creates chaos and danger. Even ambulances struggle to pass between Via Speranzella and Montecalvario, where new pedestrian zones risk remaining mere paperwork if not accompanied by effective enforcement.

The works in the program

On the municipal side, Councilor Cosenza confirmed that planning work is progressing: "The General Urban Traffic Plan has been funded and will include a special focus on the Spanish Quarters. The Sustainable Urban Logistics Plan, which will cover transportation and freight, has also been allocated."

Two tools that, together, will change the way we travel and live in the historic center, pushing Naples toward more orderly and accessible mobility.

Time is running out. The final green light will mark a turning point for Largo Maradona and the Spanish Quarters, today a symbol of Naples' contradictions: vitality, tourism, overcrowding, and the need for regulation.
If the project is completed on schedule, 2026 could mark the beginning of a new urban era: more livable, but also more monitored.