Rome city council and the ministry for cultural heritage have signed a protocol regulating the use of public land in the historic centre for cultural, sporting, religious, political and other events. A register of permitted activities has been drawn up for individual squares, roads, parks and gardens - 201 areas in all. It also establishes the number of days activities may be undertaken, the kind of structures, fixtures and fittings that may be used, a decibel limit, advertising for the events in question and procedures and time limits for permits.

Under the terms of the agreement, for example, Piazza Barberini may only be used for charity events, petitions, religious gatherings or artistic installations and not for political or union rallies, concerts or shows. An annual limit of 24 has been imposed on the number of events hosted in Campo de' Fiori, for a duration of no more than 60 days in total, with up to 30 stands allowed in the market area. The number of events that can be held in Piazza Navona is 12 per year, while only six can take place in the gardens surrounding Castel S. Angelo.

For special events attracting huge numbers of people, such as the annual 1 May concert, a special task force made up of city council representatives, the prefecture and the police will review the situation in accordance with requirements.

One of the principles behind the new regulations is that an event must be compatible with the space hosting it. At the signing Rome mayor Gianni Alemanno stated: