With Pedestrianization Plan, the Eternal City Looks to Ban a Modern Scourge

Elisabetta Povoledo reports not only on the landmark project, but on the man behind it who appears to have a broader agenda as a former transplant surgeon who spent 20 years practicing in the U.S. Upon returning to Rome in 2006, "he plunged into politics and was elected to the Senate with the center-left Democratic Party". He chose not to run for re-election and easily beat the center-right incumbent mayor in June.

Perhaps it is only fitting that a leftist mayor would undo the destruction that the fascist dictator Mussolini did when he built the Via dei Fori Imperiali in the 1920s "as a marching avenue for triumphant troops", separating key historic forums as well as destroying "a densely populated area of Rome".

While the project has antagonized opponents, "especially the neighborhood's residents (concerned) with the anticipated spillover effect of closing a broad avenue used by as many as 1,600 motorists an hour", it also has attracted the support of preservationists and conservators who want to reconnect the Roman Forum to "the imperial forums of Trajan, Augustus, Caesar and Nerva" that are suffering decay caused by vehicle emissions and vibrations from traffic.

Mr. Marino cheerfully acknowledged that he would be “crucified” by citizens in the short term, but said it was worth fighting for his “vision of what I want this city to be in 30 years.” He added, “No one will remember who the mayor was in 2013, but everyone will appreciate the pedestrian area.”

Via dei Fori Imperiali is already pedestrianized on Sundays according to a description found in the Guide to Rome and Small Town Lazio.

It would appear that the mayor may have a wider urban planning agenda influenced by his medical background, and the street closure may not be his last project in his quest to "modify Romans' driving habits by encouraging more people to leave their vehicles at home. He said about 60 percent of Romans travel less than five kilometers a day — roughly three miles — to get to work."

“As a scientist, I find that numbers give a more clear and precise picture,” he said, and gave a few facts: 970 of 1,000 adult Romans have cars, compared with 340 in London, and the average speed of public transportation in Rome is less than 9 miles per hour. “One of the slowest in the Western world,” he said. “You could run faster.”

Contributor's addition: According to CIVITAS, Rome initiated a cordon (congestion) pricing scheme to a 4.8 sq. km area in 2001 and enlarged it in 2007. It has reduced traffic and increased public transit patronage.