Castiglione Garage Closures Ignite Tensions Over Living Conditions and Urban Decay
The tension in the 5 Continents neighborhood of Castiglione is visibly rising, as at 8:30 this morning, Carabinieri and municipal police will close, by order of the mayor, the 100 underground garages that do not meet regulations.
Many residents protested yesterday, considering the measure secondary compared to the real needs of the area, which is populated by a large number of non-EU nationals and faces evident issues of hygiene and degradation.
The garages, built at the end of the 1960s, lack proper electrical systems according to a report from the fire brigade; they are insufficiently ventilated, and even the «structural integrity» needs to be verified.
For this reason, today two barriers will be installed to prevent access and allow for potential reopening.
Situation of tension and structural issues
The tension may increase this morning due to many residents’ announced unwillingness to move vehicles and belongings.
«But where do we put the car?» says, for example, Benamino Milani. «I don’t have another place, and most residents feel the same. This level of degradation happened because no one acted earlier, not even the administration».
The 100 underground garages serve 11 buildings where about 500 people live, while another 70 covered parking spots will remain open for now.
The long tunnel now lacks light, and some boxes have been used as temporary residences by several non-EU nationals.
Living conditions and degradation
«But the worst situation is certainly not in the garages,» adds Maurizia Prandi, also a resident.
«In many cellars of the Inghilterra condominium, open sewers pass through the hallways, and there are rats and cockroaches. Why don’t the ASL or the Municipality intervene?»
In fact, a brief walk makes it clear that there are serious problems of housing degradation.
People live four or more in apartments of 20 square meters, without heating or window glass.
It is impossible to count the residents, who often find accommodation for a few months and then pass their spot to other non-EU nationals.
«The sinks don’t work,» says, for example, Krimou Bouchaib, a Moroccan with a 5-month-old daughter.
«Even the corridor lights don’t work.» Many, like Mohammed Taldani, have sought other housing.
«But agencies won’t give us apartments because we’re from Morocco,» he says. «We pay 200 thousand lire a month to live in a dump. How can I get married and bring my wife here where we live four to a place?»
The situation outside is no better, with sewers overflowing into the street since November without anyone addressing the issue.
«The Municipality?» concludes Prandi bitterly, «remembers us only at election time».