Piazza Ragusa Pedestrianization Project Divides Rome Residents
Rome, May 26 – A proposal to semi-pedestrianize Piazza Ragusa, located in the Appio-Tuscolano quadrant of Rome, has sparked a heated debate among local residents and merchants. The project, championed by a group of associations led by the Villa Fiorelli neighborhood committee, aims to revitalize the area, which they describe as plagued by degradation and petty crime. However, opponents express concerns about potential traffic collapse, loss of parking spaces, and worsening safety issues.
The ‘Ragusa Open Square’ Project
The ‘Ragusa Open Square’ project, developed by a team of architects with experience in similar interventions in Berlin and Barcelona, envisions transforming the stretch in front of the porticoes between Via Enna, Via Mirandola, and Via della Stazione Tuscolana into a pedestrian-friendly zone. The asphalt will be painted with a multi-colored geometric design to highlight the reconfiguration. The plan also includes the installation of street furniture, such as parallelepipeds of varying heights that can be aggregated for different functions, and modules usable as seating. These will be topped with leaf-shaped shading structures, creating visual continuity with the adjacent garden’s vegetation.
Proposed Changes and Their Impact
The reordering of the piazza would necessitate relocating bus stops for lines 16, 85, 665, and 412 to the opposite side, in front of the former Atac depot. This depot, initially considered for conversion into an electric mobility hub, is now being advocated by citizens for transformation into a multi-functional center offering community health services. The road in that section, currently one-way, would become two-way. To compensate for the loss of 16 car parking spaces and 9 motorcycle parking spaces, the project proposes dedicating half of the underutilized parking area at Tuscolana station for free public parking.
Support for the Project
Supporters of the initiative, including 23 local merchants, the parish of Piazza Asti, schools, and academies, believe the project is a vital step towards combating degradation and improving the quality of life in the area. Rosy Tomassi, president of the Tuscolano-Villa Fiorelli committee, emphasized, “We hope that Piazza Ragusa will become a usable and livable space. Presiding over what is currently reduced to a roundabout with benches, outdoor seating, and children playing seems like a good idea to reclaim it from degradation and drug dealing.”
Francesco Laddaga, president of the VII Municipality, also expressed his support, stating, “The roadway is wide, and the partial pedestrianization would not impact traffic. Furthermore, it would be a light and reversible intervention: an experiment that, if it doesn’t work, could always be revised.”
Concerns of Opponents
Opponents, who continue to gather signatures from residents and merchants, are calling for the project’s definitive abandonment. They cite several critical issues, including:
- Increased vehicular traffic congestion.
- A rise in smog levels.
- A greater risk of accidents and collisions due to the introduction of two-way traffic on some sides of the piazza.
- The loss of parking spaces.
As counter-proposals, they suggest installing anti-bivouac benches, protecting the site with a fence and gate, and closing the dog area and the popular aggregation area at night. They also propose entrusting the management of these areas to citizens, similar to the model used in Villa Fiorelli.
Looking Ahead
The project was submitted as part of the Municipality’s ‘Spazi a colori’ call for proposals, launched to gather tactical urban planning ideas across Rome. The response exceeded expectations, with 196 applications received. These projects will be financed partly with public funds and partly through private sponsors and crowdfunding initiatives. The debate surrounding Piazza Ragusa highlights the complex balance between urban renewal and the daily needs of residents in a bustling city like Rome.
