Transport minister presents national urban planning bill

'We aim for urban renewal, improving quality of life' says Lupi

(ANSA) - Rome, July 24 - Transport and Infrastructure Minister Maurizio Lupi on Thursday presented an urban planning bill that would replace the current one, which dates back to 1942. "Our objective is urban renewal and improving the quality of life in our cities," the minister explained. The bill contains a new set of building regulations that municipalities can adapt according to their needs. "Italy has 8,000 different municipal building regulations," Lupi pointed out. "It's difficult to imagine running an administration under these conditions".

Lupi's bill would eliminate taxes on historic homes and on those "subject to public-interest restrictions of any kind". It would also reduce real estate taxes in high-density urban areas, make housing tax deductible from IRAP regional business taxes and IRES corporate taxes, and exempt real estate that is on sale by real estate agencies.

Under the bill, the State would stimulate council housing construction through subsidizing rents, involving public and private entities, and providing tax incentives, including exemptions. As well, the State will seek to promote the environmental clean-up and renovation of suburban areas, of disused industrial sites, and of generally neglected urban and suburban areas. Municipalities will be expected to indicate priority areas for such clean-up and renovation in their urban planning programs, the minister said.