Listen To The Article
In the face of the unbridled surge in mass tourism and the relentless threats posed by climate change, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), is advocating for the inclusion of Venice on the list of World Heritage in Danger. This aquatic Italian city, renowned for its timeless charm, is reeling under the brunt of these dual phenomena that jeopardize its “integrity,” despite the efforts, deemed “insufficient” by UNESCO, undertaken by Italy to mitigate the deterioration of the site.
The World Heritage Centre, a subsidiary of UNESCO, proclaimed that “the effects of the continuing development, the impacts of climate change and mass tourism threaten to cause irreversible damages to the outstanding universal value of the property.”
Sea-level rise and other “extreme weather phenomena,” exacerbated by global warming, constitute a significant hazard for the perpetuity of the Serenissima.
Nonetheless, such a decision must secure the approval of the member states during a meeting of the World Heritage Committee, slated to take place from September 10 to 25 in Riyadh. In the interim, this recommendation deals a harsh blow to Italy’s image, whose measures implemented for the protection of Venice are criticized for their insufficiency.
The resolution of these “ancient but urgent” problems is hindered by “the lack of a comprehensive common strategic vision” and the “low efficiency and coordination” of Italian local and national authorities, the World Heritage Centre emphasized, as it hoped that such an inclusion would spark “greater commitment and mobilization on the part of local, national and international actors.”
In 2021, UNESCO had already recommended the inclusion of Venice on the list of World Heritage in Danger. The Italian authorities responded by banning access to the lagoon for the largest cruise ships, a measure that was applauded but deemed insufficient. Notably, the Great Barrier Reef was also threatened with such inclusion, but after massive investments announced by Canberra to protect this unique ecosystem, Australia now seems to be veering away from this predicament.
Venice, an insular city established in the fifth century and a significant maritime power by the tenth century, ranks among the world’s most visited cities. It comprises 118 islets and serves as a repository for numerous architectural and artistic masterpieces, such as the works of Giorgione, Titian, Tintoretto and Veronese, among many others. Despite this immeasurable cultural wealth, its population is dwindling, while mass tourism continues to grow, raising the critical question of heritage preservation in the face of ever-increasing visitation.
