Rome residents protest urban redevelopment and landscape changes

Residents and environmental associations in Rome are protesting various urban development and landscape management decisions by the municipal administration.

In the Montagnola district, the Ama Montagnola Committee is opposing a decision by Roma Capitale to transfer two hectares of public land, currently used by the waste management company AMA as a vehicle depot, to the Dea Capital real estate fund. Under urban regeneration laws, the project involves demolishing existing structures to allow for new construction with increased volume. Local residents argue the development will exacerbate existing issues with traffic, water scarcity, and lack of services in an already densely populated area.

Simultaneously, the associations CURAA and SOS Roma are challenging the city's management of Rome's iconic stone pine trees (Pinus pinea). They are protesting a shift in the city's green plan that favors different species over traditional pine rows, a move described by activists as a “cancel culture of the Roman landscape.” Concerns have also been raised regarding the removal of trees in the Imperial Fora area, with activists claiming that some felled trees had previously been rated as being in “good” or “excellent” condition during stability assessments.