Two months of open dialogue with local public administrations, port operators, industry associations and citizen groups have come to a close. The new website, www.portiinascolto.it, is now online: the planning process becomes more accessible and easier to understand for everyone.
The Masterplan is the strategic planning tool that will define the future layout and multi-functions of the Ports of Genoa, Savona and Vado Ligure, and it will, therefore, play a pivotal role in shaping the development of Italy’s leading port over the coming decades.
The first phase of the consultation and engagement process, promoted by the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority as part of the overall elaboration of the New Port Masterplan, commenced on 4 September and concluded on 3 November. Over the two-month period, 65 meetings were held with stakeholders, including seven meetings with local citizen groups, for a total of over 120 participants. The consultation brought together a broad range of public institutions, business associations, economic operators, trade unions and local community representatives. The Port Authority decided to extend the dialogue to include stakeholders beyond those expressly required under the national legislation in force, reflecting a firm conviction that port planning must take account of the needs and perspectives of the wider local community. The objective of the programme of meetings has been to present the proposals currently under development, provide a clear overview of the strategic directions and options under examination, and gather contributions that may inform the subsequent stages of the approval process.
To mark the conclusion of the initial phase, the official dedicated website of the New Port Masterplan process, www.portiinascolto.it, has gone live today. The platform provides information on the origins and objectives of port planning, outlines the development scenarios for the Ports of Genoa and Savona-Vado Ligure, and explains the various stages of the planning process and the consultation activities undertaken. It also features dedicated information sections and answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs). The aim is to provide citizens and stakeholders alike with an accessible information and reference tool, enabling even those unfamiliar with the port industry to understand the purpose and objectives of port planning, in addition to the prospects for the development of the port range. The initiative aims to promote wider and more informed public understanding of the issues at stake.
“We chose to present the development scenarios envisaged in the New Port Masterplan whilst the options were still taking shape, giving public and private stakeholders, together with local citizen groups. The opportunity to engage directly with the different proposals. The 65 meetings have provided this consultation process with an unprecedented scope for our port range. The launch of the dedicated website will offer everyone the possibility to understand the purpose of a Port Masterplan and to explore the range of options still under examination. The New Masterplan must establish the conditions for the different port-related sectors to grow in line with clear and sustainable objectives. Planning the future of our ports means taking into account the needs of those who work in them and of the communities that host them. It is the Port Authority's responsibility to assess the contributions received and take responsibility for the final decisions,” declared Matteo Paroli, President of the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority.
The conclusion of the initial consultation phase marks a key milestone in the roadmap towards the approval of the New Ports of Genoa and Savona-Vado Ligure’s Masterplan. The observations and contributions gathered will provide valuable input for further assessment and refinement of the planning scenarios, which may be developed further in line with the Port Authority's remit and the strategic objectives for the port range. With the new official dedicated website, the process now benefits from an additional certified source of information, serving the wider community and concurring to ensure greater transparency and accessibility throughout the forthcoming stages of the planning process.
