The production sector directly linked to the defense is one of the primary elements of the city’s economy and the eventuality of a possible reshaping of Oto Melara is strongly obstructed by the municipality. Another example is represented by the Fincantieri shipyard where the production is diversified in different and interesting sectors but without a defined plane or perspective for the future. The township is aware of the importance of military productions and their need of protection, considering the growing importance small and medium size enterprises are gaining within the international and European market. These activities are linked to the presence of the military base in the gulf with the navy which can still maintain a fundamental role within the national and European defense system, despite its now reduced strategic role compared to raising southern bases like Augusta or Taranto.
Considering the unacceptable level of decay the crisis of the naval base has reached (not only in relation to the city but also for the Navy), the military and communal administrations are trying to invert this process asking the National government a reorganizational plan of requalification of the naval base. This is the central point of the discussion about the dismissing of the military areas and it well shows how the Navy’s presence is crucial in defining the economic development of the city..
The University pole “G.Marconi” in recent years has encountered a significant growth in number of students, for this reson is intention of the pole to achievea more advanced research program, in order to support the development of the faculty “Politecnico of Marine Technologies”: obviously there is an urgent need of infrastructures and the municipality expressed the intention to implement some of these activities in the “Duca degli Abruzzi” barrack (actual “Maricoleva”). This building with a total surface of 24.000 sq.m. will provide the University 7.500 sq.m. This operation will indeed result in the increase of the teaching program and will allow to integrate a consistent research activity with adequate laboratories.
The part which will be assigned to the university will be the building adjacent to Via Gaeta now totally underused and the cost of this operation will amount to 7.000.000 € provided by the region. Inside this area there are other buildings where it would be possible to transfer commercial, social and recreational activities, in place of of the old military dormitories: this represent an important opportunity to transform the dismissed barrack in an attractive pole that can regenerate the neighborhood and the rest of the city.