In brief
With an influx of millions of visitors, residents express concern over the rapid changes in housing and community.
In an effort to accommodate the anticipated influx of 32 million tourists for the 2025 Catholic Jubilee, Rome is undergoing significant transformations. The recent opening of a major underpass along the Tiber River near the Vatican is just one facet of this evolution, aimed at alleviating traffic congestion in the city’s largest pedestrian zone. This redevelopment has sparked mixed reactions among the local population, as officials tout the potential benefits while residents worry about the consequences.Rome's Mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, views the Jubilee as a golden opportunity to revamp the city, promising a greener and more inclusive environment with numerous planned projects. Though there is excitement surrounding the upgrades, such as new public spaces and renovated monuments, the community is grappling with the disruption caused by ongoing construction, which has led to enormous detours and traffic snarls. Young residents like 23-year-old medical student Martina Battista share a more somber perspective. She recently faced eviction as her previous landlord sought to convert the apartment into a vacation rental for the expected surge of visitors. Her story reflects the struggles of many locals who feel the pressures of a changing city as it fashions itself into a tourist-friendly destination.As the Jubilee draws near, the sentiment among Romans continues to grow more complex. While the improvements promise aesthetic and functional gains, the fear of losing the city’s authentic character is palpable, as residents navigate the balance between progress and preservation.
