The City of Rent. Rome as the Capital of Rentier Capitalism

This chapter examines Rome as an exemplary case of rentier capitalism, arguing that rent extraction has constituted the primary driver of the city's urban development since its establishment as Italy's capital in 1871. Drawing on Brett Christophers's conceptualization of rentier capitalism and applying Antonio Gramsci's theory of hegemony, the analysis demonstrates how rentier logics have progressively permeated Roman society, transcending elite circles to become a dominant orientation among diverse social groups. The study proposes a four-phase periodization of rent transformation in Rome, extending Anne Haila's theoretical framework: from post-war reconstruction emphasizing absolute and marginal rent; through the 1980s shift toward differential rent extraction in the historic center; to the 1990s "phase of oblivion" when rent became depoliticized; culminating in the contemporary "phase of pervasiveness," characterized by multiplying rent opportunities across all urban sectors. The chapter identifies a particularly significant nexus between urban heritage and rent formation. Rome's historic center, with its unique cultural and artistic values, has become the primary site for differential rent extraction, leading to profound socio-spatial transformations. The analysis traces how processes of touristification and the proliferation of short-term rentals have progressively displaced resident populations, eroding the social fabric while converting the built environment into an instrument of value capture. The findings suggest that Rome's trajectory holds paradigmatic significance for other historic cities confronting similar dynamics. The author contends that heritage protection mechanisms have proven insufficient to counteract rentierism, and that even climate crisis imperatives have failed to disrupt the established growth model. The chapter concludes by advocating for counter-hegemonic discourse and alternative development models that challenge the dominance of profit-driven logics applied to non-monetary urban values.