‘When did tourism become a crime?’ Article by me published by @spikedonline about how tourists are being criminalised from Venice to Rome and Barcelona.

When did tourism become a crime? The article in the link above was published on 29 July 2019. I welcome any comments, thanks. The text is also below. When did tourism become a crime? Dominic Standish. Venice’s new rules for tourists are making life hell for locals, too. This month, two German tourists were fined … Continue reading

Film of Manchester Salon debate: Modernisation, development and conservation

Modernisation, development and conservation Dominic Standish, Angela Connelly, Tom Jarman and Alex Solk opened up ‘sustainable development’ to some critical thinking, chaired by Jane Leach. This debate was organised by Manchester Salon, partnered by Manchester Society of Architects and was hosted at Manchester School of Architecture on 24 April 2013. The debate addressed topics of … 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

Venice: a shifting metaphor for the human condition – article on Spiked-Online

This article is an edited extract from my book Venice in Environmental Peril? Myth and Reality (2012). The article was published on 27 January 2012 and can be read by clicking on the link below: Venice: a shifting metaphor for the human condition The article is adapted from the book’s conclusion, so is not exactly … Continue reading

Paradise Lost and climate sustainability

In John Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost, the angel Michael shows Adam a vision of the Great Flood that God will send to punish the wickedness of his creation: man. Will Venice, Rotterdam, Boston, south-west Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan and Burma be the victims of this prediction as global sea levels have risen over the last … Continue reading

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    The banner image displayed at the top of each page on this website is adapted from the painting 'Ancient and Modern' by Patrick Hughes. I would like to thank him for generously offering this painting for use on this website.