The Price Of History

Residents of Rome's historic center are protesting exorbitant rental prices, prompting a decree from Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi postponing a slew of evictions.

1 minute read

February 14, 2006, 5:00 AM PST

By David Gest


There only remains "a group of survivors in the once-humble neighborhoods of Rome's historic center who have been threatened with eviction as landlords seek to catch up with soaring property prices by redoing apartments and hiking the rents.

Evictions have long been a sensitive issue in Rome, and with national and municipal elections looming, politicians have taken action. A decree approved by Premier Silvio Berlusconi's government and backed by two center-right candidates for Rome mayor blocks the ousting of vulnerable city tenants for six months."

"The decree is limited to elderly, young or disabled tenants in urban areas who don't have anywhere else to live and cannot afford higher rents. The burden is on the tenants to prove they fall into these categories."

Sunday, February 5, 2006 in Associated Press via Chicago Tribune

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

November 11, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A road in north eastern Nebraska with power lines on either side, and grassy fields.

Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity

Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.

November 6, 2026 - Grist

People walking and cycling on a street in Boston.

Study reveals best places in the U.S. for cycling, walking

New research from Streetlight Data examines bicycle and pedestrian miles per capita in the 100 largest U.S. cities by population.

November 8, 2026 - Smart Cities Dive

Mamdani speaks behind a podium in a navy suit.

DSA members accuse Mamdani of 'abandoning values' over housing redevelopment

New York City's mayor plans to replace about 2,000 units of public housing with private, mixed-income housing.

November 12 - Gothamist

Streetview of Colorado boulevard, a multi-lane road with trees on either side.

All sides of BRT debate unhappy with CDOT’s most recent move

The Colorado Department of Transportation is no longer considering center-running bus lanes for Colorado Boulevard.

November 12 - 9 News

Solar panels above a cranberry boy, with workers collecting berries.

Massachusetts bogs generate both power, and cranberries

Putting solar panels above farmland is one way Massachusetts is advancing toward its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

November 12 - Grist

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.