Gianni Alemanno, the first right-wing politician to serve as mayor of Rome since Mussolini, told a press conference that "the Mayer building is a building to be demolished." At the same time, he did not specify the date of the destruction of this structure in 2006, saying only that this is not a priority task.
Even before its opening two years ago, the Ara Pacis Museum sparked a heated debate. This is the first new building (all the more related to the direction of modernism), built in the center of Rome for the entire post-war period. Despite its very low profile and the use of materials such as marble and glass, critics likened the museum to a gas station and called for it to be demolished before construction was completed.
Alemanno came to power promising voters to get rid of thousands of illegal immigrants; however, modern architecture is also within the scope of his interests. He said that the Mayer Museum is not the only building realized under his "left" predecessors as the Roman mayor, which could be demolished.
At the same time, Prince Charles of Wales appears to be trying to smooth over the unpleasant impression caused by his refusal to attend the Summer Olympics in Beijing (interpreted as a step in support of Tibet) by supporting traditional Chinese architecture and crafts in the UK. He commissioned his foundation, Foundation for the Built Environment, to design a regeneration project for London's Chinatown in collaboration with Westminster Council and prominent Chinese businessmen. The aim of the plan is to make this area "truly Chinese" and original. Now, according to the prince, Chinatown does not look very interesting, there is a lack of authentic buildings and outdoor furniture. Charles hopes that his initiative will be taken up by Chinatowns in other cities in Britain, as well as, for example, in New York and San Francisco.
During his visit to Chinatown in November 2007, Prince Charles told the Chinatown Association of London that the coming changes will bring improvements and empowerment to the area.
At the same time, his other foundation, the Prince's Foundation, is helping to preserve Beijing's Hutongs, traditional housing estates systematically destroyed during the construction boom in China.
