As part of the Venice Boat Show 2024, where it serves as an institutional partner, Venice Sustainability Foundation (VSF) organized the conference "From Protection to Innovation: Infrastructure Investments and Sustainable Revitalization Plans for Venice in the MOSE Era". The event provided a pivotal forum to discuss the role of the MOSE barrier system and future strategies for sustainable development across the Metropolitan Area of Venice. The conference was organized in collaboration with the Municipality of Venice and Vela Spa, with support from Eni.
Opening Remarks
Moderated by Maria Caterina Fosci of PwC Italy, the proceedings opened with an address by Admiral Andrea Petroni, who highlighted the historical significance of the Venice Arsenale as an enduring symbol of heritage and innovation.
Renato Brunetta, President of VSF and CNEL, introduced the theme of infrastructure investments and MOSE, describing Venice as a living laboratory for ideas and technological solutions to tackle sea-level rise. Reaffirming the concept of Venice as a global benchmark for sustainability and resilience, President Brunetta stressed the equal necessity of safeguarding both the Urbs (the historic city) and the Civitas (the living community).
Following a message read on behalf of Veneto Region President Luca Zaia, Mayor of Venice Luigi Brugnaro expressed strong support for the appointment of Roberto Rossetto as head of the Lagoon Authority and highlighted the urgency of renewing the Special Law for Venice funding, set to expire in 2024. He emphasized that the city requires continuous investment and long-term planning guided by pragmatic, science-driven approaches.
Enrico Carraro, President of Confindustria Veneto, discussed sustainable technologies adopted by regional enterprises, while Maria Raffaella Caprioglio, Board Member of the Venice-Rovigo Chamber of Commerce, underscored the importance of engaging local communities in decision-making processes to ensure inclusive development.
Infrastructure Innovation
The first thematic session centered on infrastructure innovation. Fulvio Lino Di Blasio, President of the Northern Adriatic Sea Port Authority, outlined sustainable developments in port infrastructure. Davide Bassano, Sustainability Director at SAVE Group, presented eco-transition strategies implemented across airport facilities. Maria Rosaria Campitelli, CEO of Concessioni Autostradali Venete, examined innovative highway projects, while Lorenzo Rossi, CEO of Movyon (Gruppo Autostrade per l’Italia), introduced advanced management technologies for road networks. Quang Ngo Dinh, CEO of Olivetti, concluded the panel with an overview of infrastructure digitalization.
Urban, Industrial, and Energy Regeneration
The second session focused on urban, industrial, and energy transition. Benno Albrecht, Rector of Università Iuav di Venezia, detailed urban regeneration strategies. Giuseppe Ricci, Chief Operating Officer Energy Evolution at Eni, highlighted clean energy developments. Raffaele Bonardi, CEO of Edison Next Government, discussed energy efficiency projects, while Francesco Cosulich, Head of European Funds at Enfinity Global, outlined EU financing opportunities for regional decarbonization. Alessandro Concialini, Senior Vice President Floating Offshore Wind at Fincantieri, presented an ambitious outlook for sustainable maritime transport, declaring Fincantieri's commitment to designing its first zero-emission vessel by 2035.
Concluding Remarks
Paolo Costa, member of the VSF Technical-Scientific Committee – former Rector of Ca' Foscari University, Minister of Public Works, and Mayor of Venice – summarized the key takeaways. He emphasized that the full operational deployment of MOSE represents a transformative rite of passage, securing a vibrant economic and social future for Venice. Costa concluded by stating that Venice must always be understood as a fully functional, integrated system where diverse socio-economic dimensions continuously interact.
