The General Town Plan of 1959 proposed three additions to Venice that would supposedly lessen the population decline by luring people back to Venice.  A highway, the Via Certosa was proposed along the north side of the island in order to increase accessibility to Venice from the east.  On the west side, the General Town Plan suggested the extension of roads around the Piazzale Roma improving movement throughout the city.  The third proposal was the creation of a large office district, the Centro Direzionale, in the western half of Santa Croce and Dorsoduro. 

Venice (black) and the proposed
Via Certosa (red)
(Italia Nostra)

Though the suggestions of the General Town Plan seem to increase mobility and accessibility in Venice, in reality the plan had many weaknesses that would have inhibited the improvement of Venice in other areas.  The proposed Via Certosa would cut right through precious green space on the islands it was built on, decreasing the already meager amount of open space.  The introduction of the Centro Direzionale would also destroy a unique architectural landscape with speculative buildings.

New Town Plan: Increased Living Space

(Italia Nostra)

Disturbed by the potential outcomes of the Old Town Plan, but in agreement with its aims, a group of concerned city planners – Italia Nostra – proposed a New Town Plan through an exhibition in 1962.  The main of objectives of Italia Nostra were to protect green areas, create more rapid transport to the Historic Center, and prevent modern encroachment that might dwarf the existing structure of Venice.  They suggested distributing different offices throughout the city and using canals to separate commercial and historical areas.  They also proposed a building restoration process that would increase the amount of living space while improving their condition.