Rome has instituted a new tax on tourists aimed at building a fund to restore its crumbling infrastructure. But some worry it will drive tourists away.
Small business owners are worried that the new tax -- on top of the city's notoriously high costs -- will prevent tourists from coming to town.
"A new bed tax for visitors stipulates that every tourist has to pay an additional €2 per night -- €3 per night in a luxury hotel. State-run museums and boats that ply the Tiber River, like the buses, will also hike their prices. There were months of intense wrangling after Mayor Gianni Alemanno proposed this tax, but it was ushered in quietly just two days before Christmas. The idea is to secure an extra €80 million ($107 million) for the city coffers, which should contribute to slashing Rome's massive debts of more than €9.6 billion ($12.8 billion). Florence is now proposing a similar tax, and Milan may be next."
FULL STORY: A New Tax on Tourists in the Eternal City
Denied: No Sitting on Rome's Spanish Steps
Rome's Spanish Steps are no longer a place for sitting.
German Cities to Breathe Easier After Court Ruling on Diesel Car Bans
Unlike banning sales of new internal combustion vehicles at a future date, the German court ruling applies to the operation of older, diesel-powered cars in the country's most polluted cities. It's up to the cities, though, to enact the bans.
Rome's Urban Planning Chief Quits in Stadium Dispute
Paolo Berdini, Rome's councilor for urban planning, has resigned from his position after clashing with the city's mayor over a new soccer stadium for AS Roma.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
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Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Oregon Approves Ambitious Framework for ’Microgrids’
Local energy “islands” within the larger power system ensure key facilities can remain online during emergencies and power outages.
A Historic Investment in LA County’s Parks and Open Spaces
Los Angeles County has launched its largest-ever competitive grant program, investing $58 million to expand park access, enhance climate resilience, and support community-driven projects in the areas that need them most.
San Diego Wins $14M for Affordable Housing
The funding comes via the state’s Regional Early Action Planning program and will help create close to 1,000 new housing units.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Portland
City of Laramie