This Italian region now has Europe’s highest Tibetan bridge
It’s not for the faint-hearted
Renting out a short-term room or flat in the Renaissance quarter of Florence will become a rare luxury, Source: Depositphotos
In fact, in the UNESCO-protected old town priority will be given to long-term tenants
The Italian city of Florence has become the latest in a string of European cities to put the brakes on the proliferation of short-term holiday rental services, such as Airbnb. Last week, Mayor Dario Nardella announced that no permits for new Airbnbs and other holiday rentals will be issued. However, the policy is not retroactive meaning that such short-term rentals that had been operating will remain on the market there.
In the context of growing tourist numbers and post-Covid recovery, it means that the influx of visitors seeking to experience a day or two in the Renaissance town will have to look further afield for accommodation.
The new policy defines a ‘short-term’ rental as covering anything under stays of 30 days.
The idea behind the new measure is to help address Florence’s chronic shortage of affordable housing for locals. Over the past couple of decades, thousands of buildings in the city’s city centre have been taken over by short-term rentals, such as Airbnbs, raising the prices and squeezing local residents out of the market.
The decision was also applauded by Federalberghi, the Italian trade association of hospitality businesses. Its Florence branch president, Francesco Bechi, stated that this would help restore the local community life in the city centre, which is also seen as an inseparable part of the local heritage.
Even more, Mr Bechi, quoted by La Nazione, hoped that this would serve as an “important signal that we hope will also be taken up by the national government, given that the measure hypothesized by the minister on the minimum two-night stay (rule) appears destined not to have great results”.
Other European cities that have decided to restrict short-term holiday rentals in favour of providing more housing for the local residents are Lisbon, Paris and Barcelona.
What are the reasons for that and are there any possible solutions for that problem?
Possibly making it the only legislature in the world with a religious temple on-site
It’s not for the faint-hearted
Presenting the next chapter in the Dutch capital’s ‘Stay Away’ campaign aimed at rowdy tourists
The City says this has become a necessity due to the increasing number of incidents involving these vehicles
That way you can notify a canal lock keeper to open the gates so the animals can swim through
The organizers had been considering different Parisian spots, but always with the idea of the flame being visible to the people
Electricity production in that Eastern European country will not release direct CO2 emissions anymore
Possibly making it the only legislature in the world with a religious temple on-site
This initiative is not just about making books more accessible – it has larger ambitions in its sights
We owe the unusual cultural icon to this country in Europe
The country’s capital has been a pioneer in crafting policy and initiatives to improve coexistence between people and pets
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
Catch up with some recommendations for the 2024 European Capital of Culture programme from the mayor of Tartu
An interview with the ICLEI regional director for Europe аfter the close of COP28
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team