Preserving the Lagoon

Our introduction to Venice on Tuesday was rather harsh as we disembarked the water taxi into the chilling cold and eerie fog. The thick air hung throughout the town so that distant buildings and bridges seemed nonexistent. Our walking tour for the day was mysterious as well, as we followed our guide through the maze of canals and trusted his navigation in this hidden city. Our guide explained the formation of the lagoon and that it was completely man-shaped. The inhabitants of the Venice lagoon have prevented the natural morphological dynamics from taking place. Our guide showed us many places where the town had sunk from the strength of the waves and the rising waters. Consequently, Venice requires the diligent process of raising the city back up to its previous level once every couple years.

Having read about the Venice lagoon already, I was aware that it was viewed as a public good, and that The Magistrato (water authority) was the highest authority of the lagoon. The conservation of the lagoon and its resources was the fundamental concentration of the Venice legislation. Preserving its natural characteristics was and is extremely important. The article I read for this location described two conflicting plans that were submitted for economic development and water management. Sabbadino was an expert engineer with a long training period in hydraulics and Cornaro was the central figure of the mainland aristocracy. Sabbadino’s plan centered on expansion of the lagoon by means of re-use of excavated materials, while Cornaro stated a fixed plan for the building of his theater near Piazza San Marco. Sabbadino viewed the Venice lagoon as the human body, with many functions that work together. Cornaro, on the other hand, stood for the separation of sea water and fresh water. Sabbadino’s plan related closely to the motives of the Magistrato, as they both stressed the importance of caring for the nature of the lagoon. Seeing the wear of the town and the crumbling banks first hand, it was made very apparent that environmental protection in this lagoon is absolutely necessary.

It is hard to decipher how much to preserve in this man-made lagoon, however, because it is an area that thrives only on tourism. Venice is a lagoon specifically made for the use and consumption by man. Without this industry, Venice and its mystery would be dwindled down to the marsh that it once was.