Space

Venice is small - smaller than New York City’s Central Park.  Supposed to have reached its maximum capacity by 1200, Venice has filled the majority of its open spaces with buildings, attempting to house its population.  Overcrowded residential areas are rundown, lacking the proper space to carry out city services, such as garbage clean up, effectively.  In order to increase living space over 700 floors have been added to Venetian buildings.  These additions are neither practical nor esthetically pleasing.  Green space has been sacrificed due to the demands of urban tourism and industry. The lack of open space precipitates population decline because young couples are less inclined to stay and raise children in an area with no parks.

Crowded Rialto District (Pagnatti)

Crowded Canals (Michelin)

Because the city is confined to an island, there is little room for sprawl. Over time, the city has attempted to expand by filling in canals and creating concrete extensions like the Tranchetto.  However, these attempts cannot fulfill the demands for space and new and growing corporations move to the mainland, taking jobs and people with them. Space is necessary for Venice to accommodate the hordes of tourists that visit the city daily.  There is not enough room to spread the tourists evenly throughout the city and crowds are inevitable.  Though tourists seem to be Venice’s number one enemy, they are crucial to the economy.  Attractions, hotels, and dining establishments must be built to keep the tourist industry alive, however, there is little or no space to accomplish these tasks.