Trieste’s Porto Vecchio Redevelopment Sparks Debate on City’s Future

by EH

Trieste’s historic Porto Vecchio, once a thriving hub of maritime activity, is now the focus of a significant redevelopment effort that has sparked debate across the city. Confcommercio Trieste, the city’s largest business association, has launched a survey to gather input from over 1,000 local business owners and stakeholders on the potential future of the 60-hectare site.

The survey, distributed via Google Forms, allows participants to vote on a range of ideas for the area’s redevelopment. Proposals include establishing legal and notary offices, communication agencies, I-Tech firms, as well as fashion boutiques, organic food stores, cafés, bistros, vacation rentals, wellness centers, and even an escape room. A dedicated dog park has also been suggested as part of the new vision for Porto Vecchio.

While Confcommercio is still gathering responses, the City Council is reviewing a €620 million redevelopment proposal from Bergamo-based developer Costim. The project, which aims to turn Porto Vecchio into a mixed-use area featuring commercial, residential, and leisure spaces, has sparked extensive discussions among city officials and local residents.

Stefano Bernobich, the leader of the right-wing Lega party in Trieste, described the proposal as a positive step toward integrating Porto Vecchio into the city. “This resolution marks the start of a process that will take years to fully open Porto Vecchio to the public,” Bernobich said during a recent council meeting. “There will be a service conference and a competitive tender process to determine the project’s execution.”

However, some local figures are raising concerns about the direction of the redevelopment. Francesco Russo, a former city official with the center-left Democratic Party (PD), who played a key role in securing the demilitarization of the Porto Vecchio area in 2014, expressed reservations. Russo originally envisioned the site as a space for innovative industries that would create jobs for Trieste’s younger generation.

“Ten years ago, we saw Porto Vecchio as an opportunity to foster businesses and employment that could reshape Trieste,” Russo said. “Now, there’s concern that the focus is shifting toward high-end real estate aimed at short-term tourism, which may not align with the original goals.”

Porto Vecchio’s redevelopment is viewed by many as a pivotal project for Trieste, a city with deep historical ties to both commerce and culture. The plan, still under evaluation, raises questions about how the area will balance local needs with broader economic and tourism interests.

For now, the results of the Confcommercio survey remain undisclosed, while discussions among city officials continue. As the redevelopment moves forward, Porto Vecchio’s future remains an open question, with the potential to significantly influence the economic and cultural landscape of Trieste in the years to come.