In order to study the project "Houses at 1 euro" of the Commune of Chiaromonte, in the province of Potenza, professors from Algoma University in Canada have arrived in Italy. Objective? To replicate the project overseas. Moreover, in Basilicata, where sprawl is an obvious problem, work is being done to promote the recovery of property.
We talked about it with the mayor of the Lucanian town, Valentina Viola.
Why has a Canadian university focused on the Houses a 1 euro model in Chiaromonte?
Because even here, in some areas, they are dealing with the problem of depopulation.
They selected Italy to analyse the urban upgrading model, the circular economy and the sociological impact that the "Houses a 1 euro" project can give.
The idea, of course, is to find out whether there are analogies with our territories and whether it is possible to replicate this project even in Canada. Professor Laura Wyper was here in May.
What does depopulation mean, in numbers?
Put it like this: I have been mayor for nine years and, when I arrived, there were 1978 inhabitants. Over these nine years it has dropped to 1708.
As you can see, it is a real problem, which concerns all the small municipalities of the inland areas here. This situation also has an impact on public safety, so our aim is to recover the portion of property that has been abandoned. The idea of the houses at 1 euro also allows professionals and local businesses to be involved at an economic level.
What have you learnt in particular from Canada?
The common thing is depopulation. That it is not just a problem for Chiaromonte, but for the whole area. In particular, the areas to the south of Basilicata and particularly inland, because the areas close to the coast - for example to Policoro and Metaponto - are repopulating. Chiaromonte from this point of view has become a case study: they are analysing the model of Houses a 1 euro as a new way of making a circular economy to repopulate the inland villages. They wanted to understand what prompted us to do something like this and see the places to measure the similarities with theirs.
In short, you have exported the Project. You officially resigned in August 2022. How many houses have been sold?
So far two.
In the meantime, we have also created a website called "Chiaromonte casa" where there is a large section on Houses at 1 euro.
However, this is also a guarantee for the sale at market prices, for those who wish to use this option offered by the Commune for the sale of the property at normal prices. We want to make it possible to revitalise the territory. And you know... we received many calls, especially from abroad.
From abroad? If I put myself on the list for a house in Chiaromonte, who would be my competitors?
We have many expressions of interest. From Romania to France, from Germany to Scotland, they even called us from South America. I must say that there was probably also the driving effect of "Matera 2019", which relaunched the area internationally.
In restructuring, can everyone do what they like or have you set limits? I ask because, after the recovery, the risk is that the historic centres will be somewhat distorted.
Our municipality is part of the Pollino National Park, including the inhabited centre: so there are already limits to be followed. We only make one requirement to those that buy a house at 1 euro: to complete the work within three years.
Do you act as an intermediary between the buyer and the seller or, like other Municipalities, do you acquire the property and start with an auction base of one euro?
We do it in advance. On the Chiaromontecasa.it website
those who want to buy a house at a symbolic price can already find the necessary forms to apply,
and also who intends to sell it. We will do everything to favour the meeting of supply and demand.
