The role and History of Politics, Planning and Governance in the Veneto Region
Sustainability management is currently one of the most important aspects of city improvement that need to be embraced. Sustainability practice is based on three main aspects and these include social, economic and environmental sustainability. Social issues affect the sustainability of a city especially on the housing and emerging social issues. Economic sustainability is another aspect of sustainability that includes all practices that enable the city to improve in terms of living standards and economic factors. In addition, the environmental sustainability includes various practices that aim to improve the environmental changes that aim to better lives people. Venice is one of the cities in Italy that has long historical features that include various historical areas that date back to middle age. The city has been on the verge to attain sustainability through social, environmental and economic. There are many different issues that affect the city that needs changes. History of the city, on the other hand, has an impact on the governance, planning and the sustainability of the city at the current state. The following report explores the sustainable management of Venice city citing some social, economic and environmental issues.
The rich history of the city can be attributed to the current sustainability state of the city. The history of the city can be traced back to some families of Roman origin. The twelve founding families of Venice are believed to have elected the first leader called doge. This leadership evolved to a more formal leadership that laid the foundation for the current political and governance system. For instance, the first social point was on the dedication of the first church at San Giacomo leading to social sustainability (Lawrence 2011).
The current politics that strives in the city is mainly democratic political system and this is derived from the historical moment when Venetians decided to elect a democratic leader after the collapse of emperor leadership. At this time doge was chosen by local communities mainly of the Roman origin to lead the community. This can still be seen in the current leadership of the city that is characterized by people willing to elect councilors that currently constitute the municipality of the city. Besides these elected councilors there are also 12 assessors nominated that are headed by an elected mayor. In addition, the municipality is headed by the elected mayor that is elected after every five years. This forms the political structure of the city as currently constituted and all leadership or governance serves to fulfill the sustainable management of the city (Thomas 2013).
Is Venice a Sustainable place?
Governance of the city is also linked to the historical destruction of the city by some foreign leaders. Firstly, the destruction of the city took place on AD 166 to 168 by the Quadi and Marcomanni. Secondly, destruction also took place in the 5th century by the Visigoths and Attila leading to struggle for the local defense and more need for democratic leadership or governance. Later defeat of the city defense by troops from Roman/Byzantine territory capture the city thereby establishing the governing committee in c. 568. Death of Byzantine Emperor Leo III lead to a power struggle among many soldiers and this made the people of Venice elect their democratic leader for the first time (Bernstein 2009, p.143).
The history of Venice is also connected to the planning of the city since various rulers who the commission building of various structures. New ports were built at this time including ports at Malamocco and Torcello in the Venetian lagoon. Since the building of ports and residential areas, there have been many different expansions that aimed at making the city more socially sustainable. For instance, the Venice became center for trade making cities to flourish within this state hence the center of trade between Western Europe and the rest of the world (Ferraro 2012).
Venice sustainability approach can be viewed base on some projects and steps taken to make the city a sustainable place. Some of the factors that form the basis of a sustainable environment that can be used in the analysis of Venice include economic, social, and environmental. Venice is a center for many sustainable factors such as social, environmental and economic factors (Venice Kayak 2018). Firstly, Venice being a culturally rich city has been the center of many tourist attraction sites that attracts tourist through its rich architecture, culture, and history. Some of the features that attract tourist are cultural sites such as a museum. In addition, social issues such as populations have also affected the city due to declining population of the city. Declining population has been an issue with Venetians viewing the trend as endangering the local community leaving the city. Most of the house within the city are based on the historic design and the government is currently working on sustainable housing that helps improving houses to modern status. Moreover, the city housing facilities are also characterized by hotels and resorts that are built to serve a huge number of tourists that are coming into the city (Urban Ecologist 2018).
No Grandi Navi – (Economic issues causing social unrest)
Secondly, the economic sustainability is supposed to build on the ability of the city to continually generate wealth. Economic sustainability has attracted many different economic issues. Some of these issues include high transportation resulting from high priced tourism in the region. Another social issue is the high price of land and property. The city economic sustainability is based on the cultural artifacts, historical places that attract tourist and technological breakthrough such as Vega Park and MOSE project (Ferraro 2012). Tourists are a major source of funds that are obtained from hotels and those places that this tourist within the Venice city. The main economic activity that drives the city is tourism and this is due to rich history and artifacts mainly traced back to the period of resonance. In addition, major developments such as the MOSE project and Vega Park are the technological masterpiece that attracts many tourists to visit the city (Iordanou 2015).
Lastly, there are many environmental issues that are currently affecting the city of Venice and some of this includes the periodic flooding caused by high water level and tides. Some efforts have been advanced to tackle the flooding phenomenon that projects the possibility of submerging the city due to increasing water level caused by global warming. One such effort is based on the MOSE project that serves to reduce the impact of floods that highly affect the city and the region (Worrall 2016). These projects will ensure that the threat to submersion of the city are kept in check since the project will reduce the effect of tide or floods.
The economic sustainability of Venice can be viewed based on the two centers and these are Arsenale and Vega Park. The economic sustainability of the city is based on various areas of sustainability that make the city to achieve sustainability goals that are also based on various areas with a specific focus. The sustainability of the city can be viewed based on the two centers of culture and economic activities (Adams & Jeanrenaud 2008).
Arsenale
The economic sustainability of the Venice is based on the city of Arsenale that has been center of economic hub since the history. The area has a rich history of the mass production of various products that include ship production and armories. The main focus of Arsenale including regeneration of prehistoric artifacts, innovation and economic hub and these make the area economic sustainable. Firstly the area is the hub of prehistoric artifacts, the major focus has been the regeneration of these artifacts to help in a tourist attraction, economic value and cultural heritage. Secondly, the region is innovation hub with various technological structure making the area economical sustainable. For instance, the area has a major architectural structure that is a masterpiece which has anesthetic value and economic value. Thirdly, the Arsenale is an area with several economic activities including the production of various products. The Arsenale has a good transport network that connects various places leading to good economic activities. The old factory has since been turned into a tourist center where visitors come to study the rich culture and history of the city or the country (Davis 2007).
No MOSE protest group (Ecological issues)
Vega Park
The economic sustainability of the city can be analyzed based on the Vega park project. Vega Park is a science and technology park The park has been used by the city manager to reach its economic objectives since the project focus on the technological park that will attract tourist to the country and region. Being a technological park the Vega Park has two major impacts on the economic sustainability of Venice. Firstly, the park is meant to increase business competitiveness within the country and internationally. The park serves to apply technology in business and improvement of the business. Secondly, the part is meant to transform the industrial production through application of technologies. The country needs to remain competitive within the international business platform hence the need to transform the industrial sector of the city. This resulted in the conception of the Vega Park in Venice which is currently one of the technological tourism destinations (Veneto Nanotech 2018).
Social issues and sustainability
Venice city has a variety of social issues that have been affecting the city since the time in history. Some of the key issues that are affecting the city include residential issues, tourism, and flooding. One of the residential places in Venice is Giudecca and show the true picture of the social issues that have an impact on sustainability. The key approach to social sustainability is based on the need to solve housing problems, increase living standards and better the social conditions within the city. Some of the major social issues include declining populations and housing issues (Magee, James & Scerri 2013).
Declining population
One of the most important social issues within the city is the declining population of the Venetians. Many people leaving the city have expressed their concern with the declining population. For instance, despite the increasing number of tourist coming into the city, local community leaving the city is decreasing in number. According to Iordanou (2015), the population has changed over the last 20 years through the cause of the declining population is still unknown. Moreover, many locals indicate that Venetians are like endangered species within the city and many facilities have changed due to declining population. Statistics indicate that population is declining at the rate of 0.2% annually indicating that in the near future the overall population of the city will be far below the current population. The population by 1980 was 120000 and by 2009 the population was already at 60000 people. This is worrying trend pointing for the need to improve on the sustainability of the city. In contrast, the number of visitors or tourists is increasing at an alarming rate through these tourists stay within the city for a short period of time (Fletcher & Spencer 2005, p. 263).
Vega Park – (Economic issues)
The housing issue is another major social issues that are also connected to the economic viability of the city. Currently, the housing plan is of Venice is good and this has lead many housing problems. One such problem is the housing pattern that does not follow the certain plan and the government has been working to improve the housing planning within the city (Laskowski 2014). Secondly, the high house prices is another issue that currently affects many Venetians. The flourishing tourism is the contributing factor to the housing problem. Many developers are resorting to commercial house majorly hotels or resorts (Magee, James & Scerri 2012). This move has also resulted in the development of housing plan by the government that target to give direction on the city planning that will ensure local community built houses according to plan. Moreover, the move by the government target to change the architectural pattern that was mainly old architecture to current modern architecture that is attractive to visitors coming to the city (Biennale 2011). One area where the government has moved to roll its housing plan is Giudecca and these are evidence.
Giudecca (Social issues) residential
Sustainability of Venice is also reflected in the social structure as witnessed on Giudecca. Giudecca has been residential place since the time in history with many people living in old architectural buildings. Currently, there are ongoing renovations of various buildings within the area to make upgrade building to a more modern structure. The social approach applied in the city focus on the making the city sustainability in terms of housing. In addition, the Giudecca has resort mainly from Venetian developers that have open resort to attract the tourists. Currently, Giudecca has been a center of social issues that include residential, transportation and tourism center. Firstly, the Giudecca has a variety of residential estates following the focus of the government to make the area a sustainable place. Secondly, the area forms the center of transport that connects various places within the Venice. There are many transport networks that also include water transport vessels. Moreover, tourism is another aspect of the Giudecca that takes center within the area. Many studies indicate that Giudecca is one of the most interesting tourist destinations that attracts many people within Italy and the region (Venezia Autentica 2016).
Tourism
Venice as a city has shown high interest in the tourism since the city management is currently developing housing plan that also supports hospitality industry in the city. The city has a flourishing of hotels has made the area a tourist attraction center. Moreover, the island many different hotels and resorts that make visitors come to the area leading to the social suitability of the city. Most of the hotels are build based on the tourism focus of the city management and hence the city has many housing projects based in Giudecca (Simandan 2017, pp.1-12). Secondly, another tourist attraction feature of Venice is art and culture. The city has very many arts that express history of the city characterizes Renaissance and Baroque periods. Many tourists come to the city to study and view artifacts that are still preserved in many places such as the museum (Oppenheimer 2010).
Giudecca- (Social issues)
Environmental sustainability
The environmental sustainability of the city has been a center of concern following series of floods that have been witnessed in the past. The basis of the environmental sustainability approach of Venice is based on the MOSE project (O’Sullivan 2016). The flooding of the city is attributed to the continuous change in climate and rising of the water in the region. For instance, in the month of June, the level of the water was high due to global warming. Being majorly an island, Venice has been affected by the floods resulting from high water level. The government through Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has been championing the MOSE project that will help in making the city more environmentally sustainable (Fletcher & Spencer 2005, p. 263).
Floods
Floods have been environmental issues that affect the city and also have an impact on various economic activities such as tourism. Floods have been experienced in the city prompting the government of Italy to initiate strategies to reduce floods and improve the environmental sustainability. This is implemented through the development of the MOSE project. The main cause of the flood has been a high water level, high tides and continuous effects of global warming threatening to submerge the city under-ware (Buckley 2016).
MOSE project
The overall aim of the MOSE project is to increase the sustainability of Venice from periodic flooding. MOSE project is an Experimental Electromechanical Module approach developed by the government to reduce the impact of the flood in the city of Venice. The project will ill isolate the Venetian Lagoon from the Adriatic Sea during tides that normally move higher than 110cm causing flood. The project aims to make the city environmental sustainability through reducing water distribution conflicts, infrastructure networks, and management
of climate change-related conflicts. In addition, the project is meant to strengthen the coastal areas, raising the quaysides and paving of the city (Giovannini 2017).
Venice can change
Venice being a city with an approach to sustainability needs some changes to better its sustainability management approach. Firstly, there are some economical changes that are required to make the city more sustainable. Sustainability should be based on 4Cs and these include currency flow of trade, command center, commoditization of products or services and consumerization. The government needs to come up with economic policies that can help reduce the price of the product within the city. The price of goods and services has been high making the local community struggle to meet their needs. Secondly, there is a need for proper planning to solve the problem of housing that is also characterized by the high house prices; home prices high and high housing services. Proper urban planning that considers local community and determines what is built at the certain time. Urban planning enables the city authority to organize the city making the house affordable for Venetians and this has a high chance of making the city more sustainable (Khaidukov & Tasalov 2016).
Tourism
Urban theory visible in Venice
The urban theory describes the formation of a city based on economic priorities and this is also evident in Venice. The city formation and flourishing are based on various economic factors such as historical arts that form the core of the tourist attraction factor of the city. This has also determined the plan of the city though port activities and tourism also play part in the urbanization of the city (Hanley 2016). Many towns within the city have flourish following this phenomenon and major concern is on the future resource allocation that also follows this trend. The urban theory, therefore, forms an important factor in the planning of the city. Many cities in Italy and internationally are formed in this manner despite its negative spatial investment results. The main focus of this type of city formation is based on economic factors as opposed to current sustainability approach used. Sustainability of this type of urbanization little takes into a current approach that constitutes three main pillars; social, economic and environmental sustainability (Bakari 2017).
A close companion between UK and Venice show some differences that need improvement. The planning strategy that is used to plan urban and housing in the UK can be applied to Venice since it has the perspective of changing the housing plan and prices that have affected the Venice (Adams & Jeanrenaud, pp 108). This will help the city to achieve social sustainability leading to a better life in the city. The main importance of the plan is to determine the housing construction and also involves the Venetians to build a structure where necessary. This help construction different types of structure that are affordable to locals depending on their lifestyle. Secondly, the economic policy of the city needs to change following the economic policies of the UK that make life affordable thereby increasing population. This will also solve the problem declining population within the city that currently stands at 60,000 people (Iordanou 2015).
Conclusion
In conclusion, the paper has explored the city of Venice giving the details of suitability management practices. Some of the major focus of the report includes social issues, economic issues, and environmental issues that affect the Venice city. The history of the city can be linked to the current governance of the city, it’s planning and politics. Social issues include declining population, tourism and housing within the city. Economic issues include high prices of products and houses, the building of major tourist sites and historical artifacts are the main tourist attractions. The environmental issue includes periodic floods and this has trigger MOSE Project to reduce tides and high water level that cause floods. Some of the major places include Giudecca, Vega Park, and Arsenale. The theoretical concept visible at the Venice is mainly urban theory that argues that city formation is majorly based on economic factors. This contrast the current sustainable approach to city planning that considers social, economic and environmental factors.
References
Adams, W. M. & Jeanrenaud, S. J. (2008) Transition to Sustainability: Towards a Humane and Diverse World. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. pp 108.
Bakari, M El-K. (2017) The Dilemma of Sustainability in the Age of Globalization: A Quest for a Paradigm of Development. New York: Lexington Books.
Bernstein B. J. (2009) A Splendid Exchange: How Trade Shaped the World. Grove Press. p.143. Available at https://books.google.com/books?id=ePiReZWp0NwC&pg=&dq=&hl=en#v=onepage&q=&f=false[accessed on May 12, 2018]
Biennale, V. (2011) Social issues in Venice, and what is being done about them – Michael Frankfort. Available at https://sites.google.com/site/ve11bien/blog/socialissuesinveniceandwhatisbeingdoneaboutthem
Buckley, J. (2 November 2016) When will Venice sink? You asked Google – here’s the answer. The Guardian. Available at https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/nov/02/when-will-venice-sink-google[Accessed on May 12, 2018]
Davis, R.C. (2007) Shipbuilders of the Venetian Arsenal: Workers and Workplace in the Pre-Industrial City. Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 201, back cover.
Fletcher, C. A. & Spencer, T. (2005) Flooding and Environmental Challenges for Venice and Its Lagoon: State of Knowledge. Cambridge University Press. p. 263. Available at https://books.google.com/books?id=8l9dfXu8OgYC&pg=PA263[accessed on May 11, 2018]
Ferraro, J. (2012) Venice: History of the Floating City. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Giovannini R. (2017) Venice and MOSE: Story of a failure. La Stampa. Available at https://www.lastampa.it/2017/10/12/esteri/lastampa-in-english/venice-and-mose-story-of-a-failure-2XRaxsCgFhcmKEXidalyxJ/pagina.html[accessed on May 12, 2018]
Hanley, A. (2016) Venice ‘on the verge of collapse’ as locals battle to save the soul of the city. Telegraph Media Group Limited. Available at https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/italy/veneto/venice/articles/venice-locals-battle-to-save-the-soul-of-the-city/[Accessed on May 12, 2018]
Iordanou, I. (2015) Pestilence, Poverty, and Provision: Re-evaluating the Role of the Popolani in Early Modern Venice. The Economic History Review. doi:10.1111/ehr.12131
Khaidukov, D. & Tasalov, K. (2016) The role of institutions in the sustainable development of the city regions in the United Kingdom and Russian Federation. Public Administration of the Russian Federation: Challenges and Prospects: International Conference of Lomonosov Moscow State University. Moscow: ?DU, University press. pp. 4–10.
Lawrence, V. (2011) La Dolce Villa. W. Condé Nast: 276. Available at https://www.wmagazine.com/travel/2011/09/italy-villas[accessed on May 12, 2018]
Laskowski, A. (2014) Lessons from Venice: New summer BU Study Abroad Program examines rising waters and climate change. Available at https://www.bu.edu/sustainability/lessons-from-venice/[accessed on May 12, 2018]
Magee, L., James, P. & Scerri, A. (2013) Reframing social sustainability reporting: Towards an engaged approach. Environment, Development, and Sustainability. Available AT https://www.academia.edu/4362669/Reframing_Social_Sustainability_Reporting_Towards_an_Engaged_Approach[Accessed on May 12, 2018]
Magee, L., James, P. & Scerri, A. (2012) Measuring Social Sustainability: A Community-Centred Approach. Applied Research in the Quality of Life vol.7, no.3, pp 239–61.
Oppenheimer, G. J. (2010) Venetian Palazzi and Case: A Guide to the Literature. University of Washington, Seattle.
O’Sullivan, F. (7 September 2016) Venice’s Vast New Flood Barrier Is Almost Here. Citylab. Available at https://www.citylab.com/tech/2016/09/venices-vast-new-flood-barrier-is-almost-here/498935/[accessed on May 12, 2018]
Simandan, D. (2017) Competition, contingency, and destabilization in urban assemblages and actor-networks. Urban Geography, pp.1-12. https://doi.org/10.1080/02723638.2017.1382307
Thomas, F. M. (2013) Venice: A New History, Penguin.
Urban Ecologist (2018) Venice Confronts Population Loss, Environmental Problems, Journal of A Brief Reading List on Urban Sustainability, UrbanEcology.org. Available at https://www.urbanecology.org/venice-confronts-population-loss-environmental-problems/[Accessed on May 12, 2018]
Venezia Autentica (2016) Why tourism in Venice is doing more harm than good and what we can do about it: The current state of tourism is hurting Venice. Available at https://veneziaautentica.com/why-tourism-in-venice-is-doing-more-harm-than-good-and-what-we-can-do-about-it/[Accessed on May 12, 2018]
Venice Kayak (2018) Environmental Issues, available at https://www.venicekayak.com/info/environmental-issues/[Accessed on May 12, 2018]
Veneto Nanotech (2018) Research & Development: VEGA Science and Technology Park. Available at https://www.venetonanotech.it/en/research-development/universities-and-research-centers/vega-science-and-technology-park,2,142[accessed on May 12, 2018]
Worrall, S. (16 October 2016) Tourists Could Destroy Venice—If Floods Don’t First. National Geographic. Available at Ahttps://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/10/if-venice-dies-salvatore-settis-tourism-flood/ [Accessed on May 12, 2018]
Order an Essay Now & Get These Features For Free:
Turnitin Report
Formatting
Title Page
Citation
Outline
