Naples's waterfront is preparing for a makeover. Redevelopment work between Piazza Vittoria and the intersection with Via Cesario Console is progressing, with three construction sites open and Via Nazario Sauro now almost completely free of fences. The administration's goal is to complete the redesign by the end of the year, giving the city a larger, more orderly, and more modern pedestrian area, especially in preparation for major international events like the America's Cup.
The redevelopment project, overseen by Edoardo Cosenza, Councilor for Infrastructure and Mobility, involves not only paving and urban spaces but also the organization of commercial activities facing the sea. In parallel with the work, discussions are underway between the Municipality, trade associations, and business owners to develop a unified plan that will regulate the presence of outdoor seating for bars and restaurants.
Municipal Director General Pasquale Granata is coordinating the development plan, which aims to standardize the layout of the outdoor spaces of the venues. The idea is to establish unambiguous criteria for both the size of the occupied areas and the furnishings used, thus creating a more orderly and coherent image of the entire waterfront.
Meanwhile, infrastructure projects are already redesigning the area. The sidewalks along the building sides have been widened by up to twelve meters, with the aim of providing more space for pedestrians and improving the usability of the busiest stretch of the city. Discussions with commercial operators remain ongoing, including those regarding the investments needed to adapt to the new project.
"There will be investments to be made for the new outdoor seating. We need to know what and how much furniture to purchase, and how much space we'll have available," explains one of the owners of the restaurants on Via Nazario Sauro. After difficult months, marked by construction and a decline in revenue during the summer, the restaurants are gradually returning to normality with the recovery of sea views and outdoor seating, two highly sought-after features.
For trade associations, the sacrifices of recent months could turn into an opportunity. "Given the sacrifices made by businesses, we will have a waterfront with a new look and a new approach, for an ever-improving, high-quality, and more enjoyable experience for residents and tourists," emphasizes Antonino Della Notte, president of Aicast and one of the owners of the Antonio e Antonio chain.
The stretch between the former Faculty of Economics and the intersection with Via Foscolo is currently the only one completely free of construction work, but it will be affected by the final phase of the redevelopment. Starting this fall, the sidewalk, bike path, and roadway will be resurfaced in Etna stone, completing a €13,5 million project that began in February 2024 with the renovation of the sewers and rainwater collection system. This project is being implemented in phases to minimize disruption to residents, tourists, and businesses.
It seems like a useful intervention, but there are many concerns. Work is proceeding slowly. It seems that merchants will have to pay a lot of costs, and it's unclear who will pay. The waterfront will change, but how will the outdoor space be used? We hope the City Council provides clear answers and quick solutions without further delays.