Milan Bans Late-Night Street Food Sales, Venice Prohibits Feeding Pigeons

Milan, Italy is proposing a controversial ban on the sale of takeaway food, including pizza and gelato, after midnight in certain areas of the city. The proposed law would prohibit the sale of all takeout food and beverages after 1:30 a.m. on weekends and public holidays, and after 12:30 a.m. on weekdays. The ban would affect 12 districts in Milan, including popular nightlife areas.

The aim of the ban is to address concerns over noise, litter, and public order caused by late-night crowds of revelers and tourists. Milan's mayor says the measure is in response to residents' requests for better sleep and to find a balance between sociability, entertainment, and the peace and health of residents.

This is not the first time Milan has attempted to restrict late-night food sales. A similar proposal was made in 2013 to ban eating ice cream in public after midnight in certain areas. However, it faced a "fierce backlash" and an "Occupy Gelato" movement, leading the previous mayor to backtrack on the plan.

The proposed ban would affect outdoor dining areas, starting at 12:30 AM on weekdays and 1:30 AM on weekends, from May to November. The new draft law is open to appeals and revisions until early May. Residents have until then to voice objections and suggest modifications to the law.

Why this matters: Milan's proposed ban on late-night street food sales is part of a broader effort by Italian cities to address issues related to overtourism and its impact on local residents. The move highlights the challenges faced by popular tourist destinations in balancing the needs and desires of visitors with the quality of life for permanent inhabitants.

Meanwhile, feeding pigeons is also prohibited in Venice as part of Italy's unusual laws. Venice is implementing additional measures to manage mass tourism, such as limiting organized tour groups to 25 people, prohibiting the use of loudspeakers, and charging day-trippers a €5 entrance fee on busy days between now and July. These rules aim to reduce overcrowding in the city and nearby islands.

Milan's proposed late-night food sale ban and Venice's restrictions on feeding pigeons and tour groups reflect the growing problem of overtourism in Italy's popular destinations. As Massimo Cacciari, the former mayor of Venice, criticized the day-tripper fee, calling it "pure madness" that the city will have to justify in court, it remains to be seen how effective and enforceable these new laws will be in addressing the challenges posed by mass tourism.

Key Takeaways

• Milan proposes banning late-night takeaway food sales to address noise, litter, and public order.
• The proposed ban would affect 12 districts, including popular nightlife areas, from 12:30 AM on weekdays and 1:30 AM on weekends.
• Similar proposals in 2013 to ban late-night ice cream sales faced backlash, leading to a reversal.
• Venice has implemented measures to manage overtourism, including limiting tour groups and charging day-trippers a fee.
• These laws reflect the challenges of balancing the needs of tourists and local residents in popular Italian destinations.