Identifier	Thesis 1808
Author	O'Connell, Giuliana Cattelan
Title	Venice, the Lagoon and the Adriatic Sea: a Historic Struggle for Survival
Publisher	Central Connecticut State University
Date of Publication	2005
Resource Type	Master's Thesis
Abstract	Venice, one of the most beautiful cities in the world and the birthplace of some of my ancestors, has for centuries inspired poets, writers and lovers alike; yet, when people think or talk about this city, they cannot help but to think of "acqua alta" or high tide that for centuries has been endangering the existence of this city and of its lagoon. In writing this thesis, I have analyzed and explained the various factors that have determined and shaped not only the formation and foundation of Venice as a city but also characterized its future, beginning from the various transformations and physiographic changes of the Veneto Region explained in the writings of Apollinare Sidonio who lived between 486 to 431 B.C. to the major works accomplished during modern centuries. High water is a big problem for the city of Venice, but the human impact has caused far greater problems. The high water phenomenon in Venice is determined by the combination of four factors: normal tides, the action of the winds that blow on the Adriatic Sea, progressive subsidence of the city's soil and the rise of the sea due to global warming. High water is a phenomenon that presents itself almost exclusively in the winter months and it is well known by the people of the area who have lived through it many a times. To the citizens of Venice, 80 cm above mean sea level is barely considered high tide; it is only when the advancing tides reach 110 cm. and above that they are considered true acqua alta and the city's sirens will ring across the city 3 to 4 hours ahead, warning the inhabitants of its arrival. Precautions are taken, water boots, galoshes and raincoats are taken out of closets, boardwalks are laid across the city to assure normal transit even if water reaches 120 cm and covers 35% of the city while the tourists awaits this event as thrill of a lifetime. High tide events have increased in frequency and caused damage to many of the ancient foundations of the city, but this is not the only threat to Venice and to the Venice Lagoon. Heavy petrochemical and tourist maritime traffic, "moto ondoso" (wave movement caused by the passage of high speed boats), industrialization to the area with the construction of Porto Marghera and tourism have increased the amount of pollution and deterioration to this area, threatening the morphology of the lagoon. Since the flood of November 16, 1966, the problems of Venice have become one of national and international interest. The Italian Government, the Veneto Region and others believe that the MOSE (Modulo Sperimentale Electromeccanico) project will be the solution for the water problems Venice is facing today while the WWI (the Italian National Wildlife Association), Italia Nostra (Our Italy),Verdi (the Green Party), scientists, biologists, naturalists and many others, are against this project. They believe that it will only further damage the environment. It will take at least 8 years for the MOSE Project to be completed and many more years before we can really see the results. Will Venice and its Lagoon survive environmental and human challenges? It is impossible to give a definite answer to this question. Failure or victory? No one knows for certain. We only hope that there will be a future for this beautiful city that once long ago Napoleon Bonaparte called "le plus beau salon de l'Europe" (Europe's most beautiful living room) (Norwich 9).
Subject	Venice, Lagoon of (Italy) Flood control -- Italy -- Venice, Lagoon of
Department	International Studies Program
Advisor	Rickard, Timothy J.
Type	Text
Digital Format	application/pdf
Language	eng
OCLC number	713733992
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Venice, the Lagoon and the Adriatic Sea: a Historic Struggle for Survival

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