«On Tuesday 24 September, Europa Verde of Piacenza learned with great satisfaction that the judge of the Ordinary Court of Piacenza Antonino Fazio, in relation to the appeal presented by Legambiente and ten residents, issued an order prohibiting the felling of the trees in Piazza Cittadella. The objections to the project are thus recognised as substantial with regard to the worsening modification of the microclimate that such an intervention would bring to the square, both in terms of the lack of absorption of CO2 and the healthiness of the air, both due to the heat island effect (losing the function of thermal regulation performed by the plants), and with regard to the monumental value of the trees themselves as they fall within the dimensions to be considered as such and because they are inserted in an undeniable historical architectural complex (art. 7 L.10/2013). The judge, in the 60 pages produced, makes an important reference to the presence of schools of all levels in the area (in particular, the Mazzini nursery and primary school overlooks the square) with respect to which the project completely lacks an assessment of the impact of the construction site on school activities and on the effects of the increase in temperatures and pollution. We can only reiterate our total and active solidarity with the associations and citizens who are carrying on this battle, committing themselves and sacrificing personal time for the common goal of saving Piazza Cittadella from the construction of an outdated and anachronistic project that would irreversibly transform this space of our history into a non-place. We regret having to note that this morning the garrison was removed from the construction site area as the company is currently preparing the final fence. We are especially sorry to have to read statements from Mayor Tarasconi who does not back down a single millimeter from her incomprehensible position, asserting that this is a ‘redevelopment of the square that has been awaited for years’ and that ‘we hope that justice takes its course and that the process finds a different outcome’. We think that at least on the word ‘redevelopment’ our administrators should clarify their ideas because ‘contemporary thinking’, as expressed by qualified speakers invited to the Festival of the same name, is decidedly distant from what is being implemented in Piacenza, not only in Piazza Cittadella».
The spokespersons of Europa Verde-Piacenza Riccardo Bassi and Vanda Campregher