Carrying Capacity in Venice Italy By Naa Kwaley
Carrying Capacity in Venice, Italy By, Naa Kwaley Cofie
Where is Venice? � Venice is located in Northern Italy. � It consists of a series of islands on the Adriatic sea � Venice is known as the “City of Water”, “The floating city”, and “The city of canals” � This is because Venetian transportation is by canals and boats. � Meaning, one is either walking or using some means of water transport
Venetian Population and tourist number � Venice has a population of about 60, 000 people � It experiences about 50, 000 daytrippers daily � This actually exceeds its physical carrying capacity, which is 20, 000 people per day � Annually, it has 20 million tourists
Reasons why people visit Venice: Primary tourist resources � St Marks square and its famous Basilica � Doge’s palace, particularly its interior and its museum � Grand canal � Opera house � Rialto market and bridge � Teatro la fernice (Famous opera house)
Facilities that support and accommodate tourists � � � Hotels Restaurants People come to Venice mainly for the primary attractions. However, Italian food is also very mouth watering Tours to historical sites, and the occasional food tours Gondola rides (The boats used on canals)
Socio-political conflicts between locals and tourists � Loss of local culture due to tourism culture: People only go to Venice for the purposes of tourism not to actually visit the city. Day trippers visit the St. Marks square and Basilica. They don’t actually experience all that Venice has to offer. � View Large cruise ships as a pest: Locals say this blocks the city’s natural beauty and protested against this. � Severe congestion and overcrowding (People): Venice is a small city with very little access within it. Mass tourism has caused roads, canals, and pavements to become choked.
Socio-political conflicts between locals and tourists cont’d � Tourists disrespect historical and heritage sites: Italians are devout Catholics and they see tourists sitting or lying down in the entrance to the St Marks Basilica. For them, this does not show respect to local culture or to God. � Congestion and overcrowding (Roads): Although there a few roads in Venice, buses and coaches still arrive carrying large numbers of tourists. This causes traffic and delays for locals who have to go to work or be at a particular function.
Socio-political conflicts between locals and tourists cont’d � Tourist Pigeon culture: Tourists are notorious for feeding pigeons around the St Marks square. This has encouraged a lot of pigeons to visit the square. Unfortunately, their acidic bird droppings are damaging the brickwork and marble. They also peck at nooks and crevices on buildings. Thereby, they destroy the architectural and cultural heritage of the city.
Economic problems � Inflation of prices � There has been an inflation of land in Venice. The average price for rent has increased by so much that there has been a lot of out migration from the city, � As Venice is a tourist destination there has also been an increase in the price of goods one can get from a super market like milk and bread.
Economic problems � Local services are being overpriced: Services offered to locals. Like post services, doctor surgeries etc are being more and more expensive. This is because these service providers have to budget for the ever increasing price of rent in the city. � Pressure on services like electricity and water supplies causing these prices to also augment.
Environmental problems � Littering and pollution: Tourists litter all over the city. The architectural design of Venice causes tourists to walk long distances. As a result of thirst, they carry plastic water bottles with them and litter them all over the city. � This can enter the canals and become an eye sore in the water
Strategies to maximize social carrying capacity � Venice is thinking of proposing a ban on day trippers, because they exceed the carrying capacity of the city and don’t contribute much economically to the city either. Thus, helping to reduce congestion. � Additionally, to reduce congestion (people) all tourists are taxed up to 5 euros daily.
Strategies to maximize social carrying capacity (Minimize conflicts) � Venice cruise ship size limit: Since 2014 the number of cruise ships was cut by 20% and ships of more than 96, 000 tonnes were banned from the centre. They are only allowed to enter Large cruise ships are only allowed to enter Venice through the West, therefore they don’t block the view of the city centre and the city’s beauty can still be admired by all.
Strategies to maximize social carrying capacity � To reduce congestion on roads and canals during peak seasons there transport routes will become one ways. Stiff fines for revellers who ignore the rules. On-the-spot fines of 25 euros (£ 17) could rise to 500 euros (£ 340) for those who fail to pay up. � Sitting or lying down in front of cathedrals in prohibited. To implement this, a fine of $56 is charge to all who break this rules in the areas around Florence's cathedral, the Duomo, and the Basilica of St Mark in St Mark's Square in Venice.
Strategies to maximize social carrying capacity (Minimize conflicts) � The lagoon city banned the vendors who sold grain to tourists wanting to feed the birds.
Strategies to maximize economic carrying capacity � The government is trying to build more affordable housing so locals can still afford to live in Venice. � Suggesting the compulsory need for tourists to have a Venetian hotel reservation. This will generate more revenue person and will also help to reduce congestion. Additionally, this will help revive the city because tourists will actually explore the whole city not just the St Marks square and the Basilica.
Strategies to avoid environmental damage � Stewards patrol St Mark's Square and other popular sites rebuking tourists who throw litter on the ground, dangle their feet in canals and fountains or walked around barechested. � A corner of St Mark's Square, the Piazzetta dei Leoncini, was blocked off to prevent it being littered. � Drinking fountains. Tourists are being encouraged to use drinking fountains to reduce plastic waste.
References � http: //yambilla. wikispaces. com/Tourism+Managem ent+in+Urban+and+Rural+Areas � http: //www. telegraph. co. uk/travel/3119283/Venice -winning-war-against-pigeons-and-tourists. html � http: //www. telegraph. co. uk/travelnews/6118 204/Venice-plots-ban-on-day-trippers-to-stopovercrowding. html � http: //news. bbc. co. uk/2/hi/europe/3138461. stm � http: //www. bbc. com/news/world-europe 24831679 � http: //news. bbc. co. uk/2/hi/europe/3465439. stm � http: //greenfieldgeography. wikispaces. com/Touris m+management+in+urban+areas
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