UNESCO Wants To Put This Italian City On ‘World Heritage In Danger’ List
In a statement, UNESCO said this city is on the verge of "irreversible" damage due to mass tourism, over development and climate change
Once the epitome of beauty and charm, (it was famously called the City of Love) the Venice of today bears little semblance to its historical past, as it grapples with the consequences of overtourism, as hordes of visitors threaten its delicate ecosystem and cultural heritage. And now UNESCO has recommended including Venice on its list of endangered heritage sites.
View from Academia Bridge in Venice. Picture: Unsplash
Mass Tourism Predicament
Known for its picturesque canals, architecture and romantic ambience, Venice was and continues to be a tourist hotspot, a reality that has put immeasurable burden on its infrastructure. As millions of tourists continue to filter into the city’s narrow alleyways, canals and buildings, environmentalists and local residents are both concerned about the structural damage this causes to Venice. Additionally, earlier in 2023, some of the city’s smaller canals had run dry, where gondolas could be seen beached near the roads. in 2019, the city faced threats of floods while Italy, in 2022, declared a drought year with regions around River Po left wanting for water.
Venice has been plagued by mass tourism and climate change. Picture: Unsplash
Back in 2021, UNESCO had made a similar suggestion, but Venice had made some concerted efforts to prevent its shores by banning large cruise ships from sailing into the city. UNESCO has once again recommended putting Venice on the World Heritage in Danger list ahead of a session of the agency’s World Heritage Committee scheduled in Riyadh in September.
“The effects of the continuing deterioration due to human intervention, including continuing development, the impacts of climate change and mass tourism threaten to cause irreversible changes to the outstanding universal value of the property,” said UNESCO. And in 2023, the question remains: Has Venice done enough to survive?
Tourists throng the Piazza San Marco in Venice. Picture: Unsplash
Preserving Venice’s Heritage For Future Generations
Venice is not alone in facing the challenges of overtourism; the UNESCO list on heritage sites in danger has 55 sites on it from across the world. But Venice does represent a poignant example of what can happen when a beloved destination is overwhelmed by tourists. To avert the impending crisis and ensure that future generations can continue to marvel at the city’s beauty, a collaborative effort is required.
The inclusion of Venice on UNESCO’s endangered list would raise awareness and draw international attention to the city’s plight. It could also prompt more significant investment in sustainable tourism practices, conservation efforts, and infrastructure upgrades aimed at protecting the city’s cultural treasures and mitigating the impact of mass tourism.
Venice has for years been plagued by overtourism. Picture: Unsplash
