Commission invests in infrastructure and cultural heritage in Napoli, Italy

The Commission adopted five major Cohesion Policy projects, altogether worth 868 million euros, for better transport and water infrastructure and to preserve cultural heritage in the Italian city of Napoli.

This investment package will allow the finalisation of works started in the previous 2007-2013 budget period. These five projects will be completed between 2020 and 2022, for the benefit of the inhabitants of Napoli.

Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Crețu said: “Napoli is truly a European jewel and I’m glad that EU funds can help highlight its beauty, stimulate its economy and improve quality of life for its inhabitants. These five projects are as many examples of the long-lasting friendship between the EU, Italy and the Italian people.”

EU-funded works will contribute to the cultural and social rebirth of this UNESCO heritage site, benefitting the 85,000 people living in the city centre.

Following a comprehensive urban development plan, EU funding will be used to improve public spaces, sidewalks as well as roads and pedestrian and bicycle paths. Around the Duomo di Napoli church, wifi zones will be established, as well as bicycle paths and modern video surveillance systems.

The project also aims to protect and boost local small businesses specialised in traditional crafts such as music instruments manufacturing or papermaking and to allow new businesses to settle in line with UNESCO guidelines.

A key economic pole for the region of Campania, and for Italy as a whole, the port of Napoli will benefit from 111 million euros of Cohesion Policy funds to extend its sewage network, upgrade its existing rail and road access, have its seabed cleaned, extend its dam and install brand new solar panels.

By improving access to and from the port, EU-funded works will allow more goods to be transported to and from ships by rail, which will reduce air pollution in the area. The works will also help protect the environment in this major activity hub and improve the port’s energy efficiency.

The funding will be used to buy 10 new vehicles for this metro line. Already 430 million euros of Cohesion Policy funds was invested in the previous budget periods for the completion of a stretch of this metro line, which will form a ring linking the city’s strategic areas, such as Town Hall Square and Piazza Garibaldi central station, and reaching all the way to the Capodichino airport.

Over 134 million euros of EU funds will help refurbish five existing wastewater treatment plans in Napoli’s metropolitan areas, in the communes of Acerra, Marcianise, Napoli North, Foce Regi Lagni and Cuma. The project will increase the quality of the water basin of the Regi Lagni canal system, of the Phlegrean coastal waters as well as in the islands of Procida and Ischia. Over 2.3 million people are set to benefit from better water service and from a cleaner environment as a result of this project.

Then, over 53 million euros will extend and upgrade sewage and wastewater networks in seven towns in the province of Caserta, 40 km north from Napoli. Water quality will be continuously assessed thanks to a new monitoring system. EU-funded works will prevent the release of wastewater into the sea on the Domitio coastline, thereby restoring its former beauty and tourism potential.

Original source: European Commission
Published on 6 November 2018