Florence, cars return and Piazza Strozzi becomes a parking lot. Away with the ztl from 4 p.m. to 7 a.m.

For as many as fifteen hours a day, cars will be allowed to circulate in the historic center of Florence, in areas normally closed to vehicular traffic and in which one can only move on foot: there will in fact be a partial abolition of the ztl, with vehicles being allowed to circulate freely from 4 p.m. until 8 a.m. The decision was made yesterday by the city administration of Florence, which, with this move, intends to facilitate the recovery of economic activities in the center, which have been tried by the crisis that is accompanying the health emergency.

The plan to open the ztl extraordinarily will be in effect until the end of September and also provides two entry routes to reach two extraordinary parking areas: these are Piazza Ognissanti (with access from the door of Lungarno Vespucci) and Piazza Strozzi (with access from the door of Via della scala), which are therefore effectively transformed into two parking lots. These are two squares that until now were cleared of cars and will now host a total of ninety spaces for each of the two shifts of paid parking planned to ensure rotation and use by different customers: in the afternoon until 8-8:30 p.m. and in the evening until midnight. Also under study is the possibility of creating additional parking areas for the evening band (from 8:30 p.m.), including the streets around the San Lorenzo Market. Then there is another square that will become a parking lot: it is Carmine Square, which, however, will be partially opened only for residents’ parking.

As far as structure parking and private garages are concerned, the Florence administration considers it essential to involve them, thinking about promotions for the customers of downtown businesses. The plan will have to be formalized, but it will probably go into effect as early as August and end in late September, with the possibility of extension until the end of October.

Satisfied are the merchants’ associations. “We are aware,” says Alessandro Sorani, president of Confartigianato Firenze, “that this cannot be the only solution, but we are satisfied with the Municipality’s choice because today it is necessary to make every attempt to try to bring Florentines back to the center.” “A sign that Florence is alive and vital and wants to bring Florentines back to the center, as we have been asking for a long time,” says Fabrizio Cecconi, director general of CNA Firenze Metropolitana, who adds, “what is needed and, I repeat, the opening of the ZTL goes in this direction, is to make Florence fit for Florentines and those who live in its surroundings, for businesses and tourists, Italians and foreigners.”

Positive views from some political parties as well. “Aiming at Italian tourism and Florentines at the moment is a compulsory choice and therefore we welcome the decision to soften the ZTL,” say Jacopo Cellai and Giampaolo Giannelli, respectively group leader in the city council and deputy provincial coordinator of Forza Italia. “For months,” echoes League city council group leader Federico Bussolin, “we had been asking for the ztl to be opened, because in times of emergency drastic measures are needed to support local commerce, and bike lanes with scooters are not enough. This request was half-heartedly accepted because the proposed window will serve to anticipate aperitifs at most, while our merchants need an opening from 11:00 a.m., thus leaving breathing room for loading and unloading goods.”

Heavy criticism, however, comes from the left. “Our proposal to extend the ZTL over the whole week, all day long,” say Dimitrij Palagi and Antonella Bundu, city councilors of Left Common Project, “has been postponed until who knows when. In the meantime, it seemed that the right-wing demands had been rejected. Nothing to be done. The breakthrough for sustainable mobility was also beached. Local public transport? Waiting to see who will run it. A lungarno we pedestrianize, while Piazza del Cestello we reopen to parking, to allow businesses to save themselves with a few more private car entrances... no planning, no image of a city to rethink. Only occasional concessions, made with almost a sense of desperation.” “While the mayor talks about an ecological turn,” points out Pietro Poggi, coordinator of Sinistra Italiana, “he opens the doors of the center wide to cars. We read with concern the news of the administration’s decision to open evening gates in the ZTL by opening some squares to parking for residents and non-residents. Pandemic has shown us that we need a new paradigm and a different economic and social vision to revive our historic center, but apparently the PD-led junta has opted for a 1980s revival with cars parked in downtown squares.”

Florence, cars return and Piazza Strozzi becomes a parking lot. Away with the ztl from 4 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.