Florence, one of the world’s great Renaissance beauties, is grabbing the overtourism bull by the horns at last. The city that ranks #14 for Sights & Landmarks and #17 for Museums – and that topped Italy in tourist-tax revenue in 2024 by attracting more than 16 million visitors – has passed a long-awaited urban development plan that will guide Firenze’s evolution for the next decade. The initiative sets rules for housing, sustainability, and the preservation of the historical landscape, especially the UNESCO Heritage Site that is the city centre. There’s a ban on rickshaws, golf carts, and other “atypical vehicles.” Twenty-four electric shuttles that carry eight passengers each will operate on two designated routes. Significantly, in April 2025, the opening of new Airbnbs in the UNESCO World Heritage Site was forbidden. However, another 300 short-term apartments will be added to the thousands already available. They were originally intended to lure residents back into the heart of the city, but under pressure from developers, they’ll now be luxury digs going for €1,000 per night. So while Florence hosted the International Forum on Tourism in 2025, an effort devoted to sustainability and accessibility, the jury is still out on the historic city’s long-term efficacy of balancing its overall Lovability (#28) with its Livability (#22).