Should we build in flood-prone areas? Contribution to debate in Prospect Magazine
Following heavy flooding in the UK, Prospect Magazine published an article on 8 January 2016 with five different contributors debating whether construction in flood-prone areas should go ahead. Although Venice is a very unique environment, I ask if Venetians could innovate to cope with flooding, why can’t people in other flood-prone places be defended? This … Continue reading
Sustainable development plan passed by Venice City Council
After much debate and many revisions, Venice City Council voted in favour of a plan for the future development of the territory in the early hours of 1 February 2012. A majority vote in favour of the plan was achieved despite demonstrations outside the Venice City Council building and disturbances inside that led to suspensions … Continue reading
New funds for Venice’s mobile dams
Despite the Italian government’s recent €48 billion deficit reduction plan, new funding of €630 million has been agreed for Venice’s mobile dam project. This tranche of €630 million will be provided by 31 December 2011 and will need to be followed by successive tranches of €470 million in 2012 and €450 million in 2013 to … Continue reading
Entrepreneurs to help restore St Mark’s Square?
An appeal was launched on 9 February 2011 by Venice City Council requesting €1 million of private funds to assist restoration of Venice’s St Mark’s Square. Pavements and doorways on the Square need urgent restoration. Venice City Council has allocated €300,000 for this work. Alessandro Maggioni, Venice’s Councillor of public works, has called on entrepreneurs … Continue reading
Referendum campaign against subway
A new Venetian committee was launched on 27 January 2011 with the objective of holding a referendum of Venetians on whether to construct a subway under the Venice lagoon. The committee is made up of diverse political orientations, although members of Venice’s Green Party and the environmental association Italia Nostra are adopting leading roles. The … Continue reading
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