This article discusses a corruption examination in Milan’s urban planning sector,focusing on the redevelopment of the former Scuderie de Montel into Terme De montel. here’s a breakdown of the key points:
The Core Issue:
Uncontrolled Building Expansion: Prosecutors in Milan, led by Marcello Viola, are investigating a phenomenon of “uncontrolled building expansion” that has reached “very remarkable importance dimensions.”
Dominance of Private Interests: The investigation suggests a “chronic situations of conflict of interest” where private interests have taken precedence over public ones.
“Enslaved” Offices: Municipal offices are accused of being “enslaved to the usefulness of a restricted and elitist circle of private subjects” rather than protecting the public interest.
Degeneration of Urban Management: The collected evidence is seen as further confirmation of the “degeneration of the urban management of the municipal administration of Milan.”
Key figures and Projects:
Pella of the engineering and integrated J+S company: Protagonist in the redevelopment project of the former Scuderie de Montel, which became Terme De Montel as part of the “Reinventing Cities” international call. Pella was abroad when the provision was notified, and preventive interrogations where scheduled for July 23rd.
Manfredi Catella: CEO of Coima Sgr, the company behind the “vertical forest” and the Porta Nuova neighborhood.Prosecutors requested house arrest for him on July 16th, along with councilor for urban regeneration Giancarlo Tancredi, as part of the urban planning investigations.
Political Reactions:
Fratelli d’Italia (Fdi): Calls for the resignation of Mayor Beppe Sala, citing a “compromised system” and the need for duty. They express frustration with the lack of transparent responses from the city government.
5 Star Movement (M5S): Also demands the resignation of Mayor Sala, viewing the latest developments as the “last chapter of the Sala junta.” They highlight previous resignations within the administration as further evidence of the need for the mayor to step down.
* The League: Criticizes the situation, acknowledging the seriousness of the request for arrest for a municipal councilor. They express concern about the damage to the image of the Municipality and the potential impact on urban progress and the city’s economy, but do not explicitly call for the mayor’s resignation.
in essence, the article details a meaningful corruption probe into Milan’s urban planning, alleging a systemic failure to prioritize public interest over private gain, leading to uncontrolled development. This has triggered strong political reactions, with opposition parties demanding the resignation of the mayor.
