“The pendulum between enhancement and protection must be brought back towards protection”. Above all, "the economic model that has emerged, based on tourism, including hit and run tourism, is incompatible with the balance of the lagoon and with the uniqueness of Venice".
George Brunetti, with his usual kind and respectful tones, he is very sincere in indicating the way to avoid the death of Venice. Professor Emeritus of Strategy and Corporate Policy at Bocconi, Venetian DOCG, curiosity and intelligence as a young 82-year-old, Brunetti has long since elaborated an original analysis of the distinctive characteristics of Venice. From which it is necessary to start to build the agenda of things to do.
What makes Venice unique in the world?
“First let me say that in the dilemma between valorisation and protection, the latter must be given new importance. And this involves changing the economic model centered on tourism.
Indeed, Venice bases its uniqueness on three elements: the immense artistic heritage, with churches, museums, monuments; the landscape, which means the entire lagoon; and a mobility that is medieval, because you move on foot or by boat”.
The first one doesn't need much explanation.
“Yes, but here too there is a typical Venetian feel. The presence of many foundations, which take care of the heritage. A reality that does not exist in other cities of art”.
The second is more intriguing: the landscape.
"Certain. The lagoon is important and is connected to the artistic heritage because it gives it a coloring with a series of shade that change with the time of day, the season, the presence of clouds in the sky, the wind. But the lagoon has another important aspect: it is an unstable reality. This has always been clear to the Venetians. The Water Magistrate in the sixteenth century said that there were three dangers for the lagoon and therefore for Venice. The first is that it silts up, due to the deposit of materials carried by rivers, which have therefore been diverted. The second is that it is invaded by the sea”.
And the third danger?
“Man, with his interventions and his activities. Until the end of the XNUMXth century, human activities had been compatible with maintaining the delicate balance of the lagoon. He thinks that the draft at the port inlets, i.e. at the points of connection between the lagoon and the sea, was then a few metres, because it was sufficient for ships to navigate".
Draft which is now over ten meters for tankers and container ships.
“Modernity has disfigured the landscape. Sailing and steamers weren't unbalanced. While large ships are not compatible with the lagoon. Venice is thought to be a natural harbour. But it's not. It was, in fact, for the vessels that fished little. The "oil canal" was dug to allow the entry of ships, first those carrying raw materials to be processed in Marghera and then the commercial ones (container ships) but it was also the vehicle by which the sea entered the lagoon. It is a very delicate topic on which there is much discussion, because it breaks the ecosystem. There is concern that the port will not suffer. And here the initial discourse of economic convenience as opposed to safeguarding returns”.
And the third characteristic, of moving as in the Middle Ages?
“It involves a different way of life than the rest of the world. And it represents an element of concern, because it is suffering the monstrous effect of tourism. Not only sedentary tourism (I arrive and stay for a couple of days) but also "hit and run", excursion tourism. Which is the son of the attraction of the Venice brand. Venice has always attracted visitors throughout its history. But now it has become a mass fashion just to say: I've been to Venice too. And this type of tourism, the excursion one, has imposed commercial models aimed essentially at this category of people. Consume the city. Everywhere there are crowds of tourists who make life difficult for the Venetians, causing annoyance. It is an omnivorous tourism, it is a leprosy.
The Venetians make their homes profitable, traditional shops are disappearing due to ever higher rents, shops selling Venetian knick-knacks, carnival masks and street food are spreading, which are by now everywhere and have suffered enormous damage from the high tides these days. Furthermore, excursion tourists who stay on the mainland, where a hotel complex has just been built near the Mestre railway station, clog up public transport and create many problems from the point of view of mobility for the inhabitants".
In short, more than a city of art, Venice has become a theme park.
“Yes, a kind of Disneyland. We hear that we live more and more from tourism and that this is the great future. I have serious doubts. If the Basilica of San Marco collapsed, they would even come to see the ruins. This economic model is omnivorous”.
What could be the future of Venice?
“It needs to be repopulated. Attract people who live in the city, young people, start-ups, creatives. If it has no alternatives to tourism it becomes a lost city. I don't think the referendum on separation from the mainland would solve anything. One reality that has had success is Paolo Baratta's Biennale, which has given rise to training activities, in cinema and theatre, as well as relaunching the institution on an international level”.
And on the MOSE?
“The MOSE is the metaphor of Italy: an unfinished work after many years of work. Much discussed from the start. Naturally today the question marks have increased, with the effects of climate change. But hopefully the MOSE will work. Worst of the worst would be to leave it unfinished. Also because it involved heavy interventions on the lagoon. Now it needs to be completed and running. Even if it risks being used a lot due to the intensification of the effects of climate change, creating problems for the port system”.
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The port should be moved out of the lagoon.
“To do this, it is necessary to move from a local vision to a broader and more general one. We are in cul de sac, because the local vision is that of the interests also and above all of many small operators, a crowd that exerts political pressure”.
Some say you have to do like the Dutch.
“The Dutch model has nothing to do with it. Building a fixed dam means making the lagoon die, turning it into a sewer. But we have to learn speed and efficiency from the Dutch. But here we return to the discussion of the evils affecting Italy: bureaucracy and corruption”.
