“I have not signed the Prg, neglect safety”
«Failure to sign the master plan? I was asked to neglect the safety of the citizens. An unacceptable proposal to say the least ». The silence is broken by Stefano Boeri, the famous internationally renowned architect of the “Stefano Boeri Architetti” studio who, during the 83rd session of the Unece Committee, Economic Commission for the United Nationsrecently held on the Titan, it did not want to sign the Prg for which it had drawn the guidelines, refusing the request to review it “with variations in contradiction with the principles with which it was created”.
Architect Boeri, why didn’t you sign the master plan: last May you said you were “confident and positive”? Was the project already adopted?
«One pillar of our plans, together with the reduction of land consumption, the regeneration of the territory and the large investment in green and renewable energies, was that of securing a fragile person. For the first time in San Marino with our plan, a map of the hydrogeological risk was drawn up thanks to the careful analysis conducted by the geologist appointed by the government to support urban planning choices. After a work started in 2015, we delivered the Master Plan in October 2019 ready to be approved by the Great Council and but the document in these three general years has never been adopted, much less under discussion and this is already inexplicable and motivated. We have recently been asked to remove the non-building net from some of the areas at greatest hydrogeological risk. The reason? Protecting building rights that date back to the 1992 Plan and which have never been used, evidently because the owners were aware of the great risk. But making them buildable again would mean overshadowing the health and safety of citizens. Honestly, I am stunned: what happened in the Marche with the flood should be a warning.
Regarding building rights on quarantine of high-risk areas, they can be moved to other areas already provided for in our plan: we do not intend to cancel them. But what has been asked of us is totally in contradiction with the first pillar of our work as technicians and planners, namely the health and well-being of the citizens of the Republic. I have great respect and admiration for the extraordinary history of San Marino and its ancient and noble republican institutions and for this reason I feel I can say that a plan that does not take into account the safety of citizens is just a joke, to say the least. “
Can you describe San Marino from a geological point of view?
«As is well known, the territory is characterized by gullies and areas at risk of hydrogeological instability, the results of erosion that are produced by the effect of the washout of the water on degraded clayey rocks and with scarce vegetation cover. One must not build on the gullies, because if you remove landslides, landslides or excess rain, as now happens more and more often behind, the drama is the corner ».
The Secretary of the Territory Stefano Canti said that San Marino “will work in a UN key”: was your piano not part of this perspective?
«I answer by saying that, after three years of waiting, I would like the plan to be made public after its approval in the Council so that it can be observed by the citizens as required by San Marino law. I also remember that the San Marino, or a declaration of principles for urban design and sustainable and inclusive architecture, signed together with Norman Foster, was born precisely from the experience of the Master Plan ».
Always Secretary, Canti declared that “he felt betrayed” as she did not sign “for personal ideology”. What do you reply?
«I don’t want to argue with Canti, who was our first institutional interlocutor in San Marino, but this is not about ideology, but rather about common sense and civic responsibility. It is an ethical question. I would invite Dr. Canti, and all those who support his unacceptable requests from him, to come with me on the road to Monte Olivo that leads to the Torraccia airport, to see what happens when he is built on the gullies. Of course, if he considers “ideology” while avoiding catastrophes, well, I’m a great ideologist ».
Are you willing to explain the PRG to citizens?
“During the design we carried out an important participatory work and organized walks in all areas of San Marino accompanied by the Captains of the Castle, listening and studying the territory and then proceeding to public communication. Recently I was also invited to illustrate it before the Government. Yet, I repeat, once delivered, the Plan was never presented. Because? I renew our willingness to talk about it, once it is adopted by the Council without the absurd changes requested ».
Did you identify the strength of San Marino in biodiversity, why?
«San Marino has a very particular and interesting orography that ranges from the plain to the rock of the Rocca and the badlands are part of this heritage. This permit to host real niches with high plant and fauna biodiversity. An extraordinary resource to be respected. Our plan also safeguards the river corridors, agricultural areas and environmental parks that the 1992 plan did not plan ».
In what way did your Prg provide for margins of flexibility?
“After approval by the Council at first reading, the San Marino Citizens’ Law provides for a phase of observations and counter-arguments in which institutions and operators can adopt proposals or request changes. Subsequently, the plan can be modified in line with the principles it has established. A few examples? A rule to be extended or an area to change function but in no case can the safety of the citizens of San Marino be asked to be put at risk. I hope I was clear”.