Florence bans outdoor dining on ‘obstacle course’ streets in city centre amid tourism surge





 

Florence will ban outdoor dining in 50 streets amid a surge of tourists in the famous Italian city.

Many of the city’s grand piazzas and famous Renaissance statues will no longer be viewable from a dining table as the city council appears set on imposing restrictions following complaints from residents about congestion and creeping visual clutter.

The rules set to come in place next year will ban outdoor seating along 50 streets within the UNESCO-protected center and see stricter regulations imposed on more than 70 additional locations, The Times reports.

The move has sparked outrage from both sides. Locals argue the bans do not go far enough but restaurants say it reduces business.

Daniela, the owner of Ristorante Pizzeria Il David, told The Times her restaurant in Piazza della Signoria could be affected.

“Our outdoor seating is fundamental,” she said.

The Palazzo Vecchio was built in the 14th century and later modified by the last duke of Tuscany Cosimo I de’ Medici.

Other landmarks that will have outdoor seating banned include the Ponte Vecchio, Piazzale degli Uffizi and the Uffizi Gallery.

Seventy-three other locations will receive strict guidance on whether outdoor seating can include umbrellas or plexiglass barriers.

Regulations will be decided by councilors over the next 30 days on whether plastic weather covering should be eliminated for grand squares including piazzas Signoria, Santa Maria Novella, Pitti and Repubblica.

Meanwhile, restaurants will be encouraged to use grass-like green carpet to show permitted outdoor areas.

A heritage expert at Bologna University, Ilaria Agostini, wrote in the left-wing online magazine La Citta Manifesta that the measure did not go far enough.

However others argue the restrictions will cause a decline in sales for restaurants, particularly those specializing in traditional Florentine dishes such as bistecca alla fiorentina, ribollita and pappa al pomodoro and instead will be replaced by tourist-oriented restaurants serving generic Italian food.

Source : https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/florence-restaurants-outdoor-dining-ban-tourism-b2866662.html

Comprehension

What is Florence planning to ban on 50 streets?
Why is the city introducing these new restrictions?
When are the rules expected to begin?
How many additional locations will have stricter guidelines?
Why are some restaurant owners upset about the new rules?
Which famous landmarks will no longer allow outdoor seating?
What type of outdoor items will be reviewed by councilors in the next 30 days?
Why do some people believe the restrictions do not go far enough?

Discussion

Do you think banning outdoor dining is a good way to reduce congestion? Why or why not?
How can cities balance tourism and local residents’ quality of life?
Should historic areas have stricter rules to protect their appearance?
How might these outdoor dining bans affect local businesses?
What do you think tourists expect when they visit famous landmarks?
Is it possible to protect cultural heritage while still supporting tourism?
Would you enjoy dining outdoors near famous landmarks, or would the crowds bother you?
How can restaurants adapt to these new restrictions?
Are similar problems happening in other popular tourist cities?
If you were a city leader, what rules would you create to manage tourism responsibly?

Vocabulary

Surge – A sudden and large increase.
Congestion – Too many people or things in one area, causing crowding.
Visual clutter – Too many objects in one place, making it look messy.
Restrictions – Rules that limit what people can do.
Landmark – A famous or important building or place.
Eliminate – To remove or get rid of something.
Heritage – Cultural traditions, buildings, or history passed down over time.
Decline – A decrease or reduction.