Reggio Emilia citizens protest to save Bosco Ospizio green space

Citizens in Reggio Emilia have entered their 15th day of a permanent sit-in to protect Bosco Ospizio, a 45,000-square-meter green space located near the city center. The protest aims to prevent the construction of a new Conad supermarket and associated parking facilities.

While protesters successfully delayed the arrival of construction machinery last week, the legal and political battle continues. Activists have filed a formal complaint with the prosecutor's office to halt the works. The movement has gained significant attention, drawing supporters from neighboring cities like Bologna.

The conflict highlights long-standing tensions regarding urban planning in the region. Over the last decade, successive municipal administrations have implemented various policies that significantly reduced urbanizable land, including the cancellation of millions of square meters of potential development area. This shift in land-use policy has led to a substantial decrease in new construction compared to twenty years ago, creating a complex backdrop for the current dispute over the Ospizio site.