Changing work habits and shifting environmental priorities demand new models of urban redevelopment. Architectural ‘exaptation’ uses the past to reimagine the future.
The music room of the Ospedaletto is known for its remarkable acoustics.
Marica S. Tacconi
On the wall of an orphanage in Venice, a musicologist encountered a fresco featuring an aria written for an opera. She’s since embarked on a project to bring this forgotten music back.
Don’t Look Now opens with a shocking accident, after which the sense of dread never abates.
Mary Evans / StudioCanal Films Ltd / Alamy
The lagoon city needs to stem the flow of visitors.
Switzerland’s Great Aletsch Glacier is 23km long and located in the World Heritage site Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch. It leads the list of glaciers in the European Alps in terms of length and size, yet since the mid-19th century, it has lost more than 25% of its volume.
Jo in Riederalp/Wikipedia
Rising temperatures and extreme weather pose an existential threat to many UNESCO World Heritage sites, but widespread discussion is needed for meaningful change.
The Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Square flooded during acqua alta – high tide – in Venice, Italy.
Matteo Colombo/Getty Images
With growing drought, rising seas and heavier storms, how do we protect Venice and other world treasures? The answer: creative, proactive measures that may alter them in important ways.
On November 12, 2019, in Venise, the sea rose 1.87 metres above its normal level, flooding much of the city.
Ihor Serdyukov/Shutterstock
More than 1 billion euros were donated after Paris’ cathedral was grievously damaged by fire in April. By comparison, just a few million euros were given after catastrophic flooding in Cité des Doges.
Venice is among the cities that have had public protests against soaring numbers of tourists – including this protest banner on the Rialto bridge.
Andrea Merola/EPA/AAP
The future of tourism depends on ensuring visitors do not wear out their welcome. Giving locals more of a say in tourism can help ensure they share in the benefits and minimise the costs.
Overtourism is driving a backlash among residents of many European cities, and concerns are rising in Australia, too.
The view of Cartagena, Colombia from Tierra Bomba. Despite being one of the most visited cities in South America, Tierra Bomba remains highly impoverished. Why doesn’t large-scale tourism benefit such a community?
Carter Hunt
At many popular destinations, residents are protesting against crowding, rowdy visitors and low wages. With some research, travelers can use their visits to enrich host areas instead of harming them.
‘Venice Inflatable Refugee’, an artist’s project displayed in Venice in 2016.
Dirk Knot/Schellekens
Alternative models to host asylum seekers have proved their efficiency. Venice has been a sanctuary city for years and with the right policies, it could be reproduced.