Rising sea levels are a global phenomenon that endangers not only the environment and the economy, but also the very identity of coastal communities. Coastal areas are among the most densely populated regions on the planet, hosting 11 of the world’s 15 largest megacities. Over 600 million people currently reside less than 10 metres above sea level, a number that is projected to double by the end of the 21st century. These territories, which serve as nerve centers for many human activities, require adaptation strategies.
In this scenario, Venice appears as an international model of resilience.
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Venice has already experienced the consequences of sea level rise and is currently developing innovative solutions to protect its cultural heritage. For these reasons, it has been recognised as a Resilience Hub as part of the “Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030)” campaign promoted by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).
How, then, can we safeguard our cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, in the face of this challenge? How can we ensure the resilience of coastal cities while preserving the link between urbs (the physical city) and civitas (the community)?
Aligned with the programme of Biennale della Sostenibilità 2025, which is dedicated to the balance between urbs and civitas, Venice Sustainability Foundation is organising a day of reflection and international dialogue on the theme of resilience.
The event is structured in two parts:
1. International conference “Coastal cities, climate resilience and cultural heritage protection”
9.30 am – 1.30 pm (admission from 9.00 am), Teatro Piccolo Arsenale
This meeting, organised by VSF in collaboration with UNDRR, aims to create a space for discussion among coastal cities worldwide, to develop concrete initiatives and foster a lasting network of relationships.
The event aims to promote constructive dialogue between experts, public administrators, and citizens to define adaptation strategies that take into account both the urbs – with its physical vulnerabilities – and the civitas – with its capacity for resilience and its deep connection to the territory.
At the end of the conference, a new publication by VSF will be presented: “History of Venice’s resilience. Economic, social, and urban challenges and transformations over the last two centuries” (“Storia della resilienza di Venezia. Sfide e trasformazioni economiche, sociali e urbanistiche degli ultimi due secoli”, currently only available in Italian).
A light lunch will be served (1.30 pm – 2.30 pm).
2. Closing event of the exhibition “Intelligent Venice: the oldest city of the future”, Special Project of Venice Sustainability Foundation (VSF) for the Biennale Architettura 2025
2.30 pm – 4 pm, Tesa dell’Isolotto, Darsena Grande dell’Arsenale
The exhibition tells the story of an extraordinary millenary project, a history of medieval inventions and contemporary technologies, of interventions on nature and anthropisation, of survival and resilience strategies, through which the city’s ability to survive a hostile environment has unfolded over centuries, thanks to the constant exercise of intelligence.
For information:
