Since we are quite on the subject of generally speaking, some predict a real apocalypse for those who stoically hold on to their positions, that is, who have not yet decided to support the resurgent tendency to escape from the historic center of Lecce, duly documented by real estate agencies. And the X hour would start in June, when the moratorium decreed two years ago by the Strategic Trade Plan regarding new licenses for catering in the historic center; when, in theory, the race should restart Old Town Of Lecce to become a multifaceted and indistinct Eldorado for tourists and nightlife lovers.
Residents and traders
A suburb from which the residents – but also the shops of “other” product categories – are once again thinking of escaping. The problem, observes Luigi Derniolo, president of Confartigianato, is not an exclusively Lecce issue, but of all the centers that choose to close themselves to cars. «Places where you no longer go to buy because you no longer pass by. And if in addition to blocking traffic, a decision is also made to move administrative services and municipal offices, it really is the end. Because the premises are starting to remain vacant, and the only ones that can fill them are the businesses linked to catering and nightlife, with all the resulting problems for residents and public order. Which happens in Lecce, but also here in Galatina – insists Derniolo – and it is the price you pay for not having cars on the road.”
Unsolvable dilemma? «No, there is an alternative: for example, creating parking areas in the immediate vicinity for those who want to go shopping. But not in Settelacquare, hoping that in the meantime people will be convinced to use the bus, or bikes which are still to come: neighbors. Also because, sorry, I don’t think that the tourism that lands in Lecce will bring all this great economy, given the level. No administration that ever thinks about this: this way the business goes and the residents go too. The uninhabited and vacant houses are falling apart, the degradation is increasing, work is only done three months a year. Is it then worth it, doing a few simple calculations, to ask so many sacrifices from everyone to achieve this?”.
The strategic trade plan
The strategic trade plan, in reality, does not foresee indistinct possibilities of further licenses for catering and similar, specifies Maurizio Maglio, provincial president of Confcommercio, «in fact it was drawn up precisely to allow a rebalancing of the existing situation and the elimination of situations of product confusion, giving those who also meet the hygienic-sanitary requirements the opportunity to comply. And the Plan, in any case, establishes precise rules for the opening of new premises intended for catering, which in any case cannot be located in areas where there is already a high concentration of them”, concludes Maglio. Which, however, adds further elements for reflection: «The limits on night-time music in clubs have not solved the problems of residents, on the contrary. I would also like to point out that they are a security garrison for the historic centres: just when the venues close the streets they empty and the vandals go into action. And this too is not an exclusively Lecce problem, but of Maglie, Tricase, Galatina and many other Salento municipalities. A question of education to respect public spaces. But this is obviously another matter.”
“Spatial justice” for all: Toto Mininanni, urban planner and resident of the historic center of Lecce, calls for it.
«The situation is out of control. The residents flee, also enticed by the offers of large investors who are looking for buildings to build hotels and new hospitality formulas, and then, precisely – says Mininanni -, a lot of hit-and-run tourism, and all this space for places that sell food.. “If the intent is to create a large, cheap amusement park, we are undoubtedly on the right path,” warns the urban planner. «Florence, which in the meantime has reached the height of this situation, has begun to take measures. Here, however, we are celebrating because Airbnb is arriving…”.
Irregularities, “a lot of illegal activity, total absence of controls: and the objectives of the strategic trade plan”? The «improvement of the quality of life of living»? The «maintenance of the residential vocation of the historic center? Generic principles without implementation”, insists Mininanni. «Why is it great to build a student residence at the former Cimarrusti, but what about the rest? Where is the attention to the residents, who are the real animators of this space? Is it possible that in the end only the trade lobby always counts?
Therefore, fill the historic center again with residents, not with eating places: «With a government pact that balances rights and duties: you, a resident, have decided to live in a protected place, so your family cannot expect parking for three cars . But I, the administrator, find a way to ensure new parking spaces by demolishing everything in the ancient village that is not of historical interest.”
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