Professor Giuseppe (known to everyone as Beppe) Pericu (Genoa, 1937–2022) was the protagonist of a long and brilliant career that spanned various fields and culminated, in each of these, in the achievement of excellent results.

Giuseppe Pericu was a university professor, administrative lawyer, and institutional figure.

He began his teaching career as a student of Professor Roberto Lucifredi, obtaining—at a very young age—the chair of Administrative Law at the University of Genoa. Called to replace Professor Potoschnig, he then moved to teach the same subject at the University of Milan, where he remained for over twenty years, and then concluded his career in Genoa, where he was called “by reputation.” The University of Bologna awarded him an honorary degree in Law. Before his passing, he was appointed Professor Emeritus at the University of Milan and the University of Genoa. As a jurist, he authored numerous publications on administrative and urban planning law, as well as a textbook on administrative law, which made him one of the leading experts in the field, in Italy. He was one of the jurists who contributed to the drafting of the general law on administrative procedure.

As a lawyer, he owned a firm with offices in Genoa and Milan. In his profession, he combined scientific expertise with a practical approach to solving client problems. In this field, too, he achieved excellent results, being recognized as one of the best administrative lawyers in Italy.

In 1994, he was elected to the Chamber of Deputies for the Democrats of the Left and was one of the founders of the Democratic Party. He served as Mayor of Genoa from 1997 to 2007. During these ten years, he abandoned his professional career to dedicate himself exclusively to administrative work. He is remembered as one of the city’s best post-war mayors.

Giuseppe Pericu was a man who demonstrated the ability to solve problems and carry out projects with great realism and balance, while still drawing on his skills as a lawyer and university professor.

The legacy he left in all areas of his commitment is still remembered today by all who met him.