ABSTRACT
Saving Venice from Rising Tides – Kya-Xé Z. Dudney
Venice, Italy has been jeopardized by sea level rise and high tides since its early existence. For decades now engineers have been constructing a small-scale flood gate system aimed at protecting the city from rising tides. However, this system is only partially operational, expensive, and poses threat to the sensitive lagoon ecosystem. The rate of sea level rise is expected to increase at an alarming rate, therefore Venice is in need of an immediate solution. This paper analyzes the costs of the existing operation and proposes 4 solutions that work towards protecting the city from rising tides. The suggested approach recommends Venice pursue subsurface fluid injections, in conjunction with the flood gate operation. By implementing this action Venice could make progress in abating rising tides by producing a natural heave in elevation, all while limiting flood gate dependency.
OVERVIEW AND BACKGROUND The “floating city” of Venice, Italy consists of 118 small islands in the heart of the North Venetian Lagoon.1 The history of Venice began in early 400 A.D. when the first settlers sought refuge from barbaric conquerors on the Italian mainland.2 Subsequently, this center for refuge transformed into what is now one of the most visited places in the world, because of its’ unique beauty. Since early existence this historically rich hotspot has been adversely affected by a combination of climatic and human activity related factors such as; flooding, land subsidence, mass-level tourism, and rapid
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1
Ferraro, Joanne M. Venice: History of the Floating City – Chronology of Historical Events. (June 23, 2016), 2.
2
Ibid, xxiii
JOURNAL of the MARTIN INSTITUTE | INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
