UNESCO: Venice Should Be Put on Endangered List

Improve the News Foundation -

Facts

  • A new UNESCO report released on Monday has recommended adding Venice to its list of World Heritage in Danger to secure the historic city and its lagoon from climate change and mass tourism.1
  • The report found that the city faced "irreversible" damage and that corrective measures proposed by the Italian authorities are "currently insufficient and not detailed enough."2
  • Though Venice is said to be deteriorating due to "the combined effects of human-induced and natural changes," the report alleged that the country is slow in addressing the issue owing to "a lack of overall joint strategic thinking."3
  • It's the second time that Venice — which has been designated a World Heritage site since 1987 — has been recommended to be added to UNESCO's World Heritage in Danger list.3
  • In 2021, Venice saved itself from being added to the list as Italy banned large ships — such as cruise ships — in the San Marco Canal but couldn't reportedly implement an ambitious conservation plan for the city of canals.4
  • The World Heritage Committee, a committee of 21 UNESCO member states, is scheduled to meet in Riyadh in September to review more than 200 sites — including Kyiv — and decide which cities to add to the danger list.5

Sources: 1Reuters, 2The National, 3Guardian, 4BBC News, and 5The Times of India.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by BBC News. UNESCO isn't wrong in its assessment: Global warming impacts Venice significantly as rising sea levels make it vulnerable to flooding. Moreover, the city is forced to expand urban projects to accommodate millions of tourists every year. It's unfortunate, however, how UNESCO gives opinions, judgments, threats, and warnings but doesn't provide the country any funding to make changes.
  • Narrative B, as provided by The Times. It's essential to protect important at-risk heritage sites and encourage their better preservation by labeling them "in danger." Over 50 cities worldwide are listed as endangered by UNESCO for reasons such as terrorism, tourism, or want of repairs. This is an opportunity to mobilize local and national stakeholders to fix long-standing issues and regain Venice's glory.