Sassi di Matera: Bennardi calls for public consultation on sub‑concession renewals

Councillor Domenico Bennardi has urged the launch of a public consultation prior to renewing sub‑concessions within the Sassi di Matera. The intent is to make an administrative decision into a shared process that considers the UNESCO site's conservation, neighbourhood livability and sustainable tourism management.

Key points of the proposal

• Renewal length: renewals may be extended for decades, which requires strategic assessment.
• Resident protection: policies should prioritize the everyday life of inhabitants and respect special protections for the area.
• Tourism balance: avoid tourism monoculture by supporting crafts, cultural activities and local training.
• Transparency and merit: renewals should not be automatic but based on clear criteria of fairness, competence and results.

Operational proposals

• Organise public consultations with residents, associations, universities and research centres to agree on shared criteria.
• Carry out an updated census of sub‑concessions to assess legal and economic conditions of properties.
• Introduce public tender procedures for premises subject to change of use or verified arrears.
• Promote repopulation policies and incentives for young people and sustainable local businesses.

Why this matters

The Sassi di Matera, the first UNESCO site designated in Southern Italy, need governance that reconciles heritage protection with residents' quality of life. Participatory and transparent decisions support conservation, social cohesion and long‑term sustainable development.

Location

Location: Sassi di Matera, 75100 Matera (MT), Italy. Coordinates: 40.6648626, 16.6107106.