Venice in environmental peril? : myth and reality /
Standish, Dominic.
Lanham, Md. ; Plymouth : University Press of America,
c2012.
This book explores Venice's environmental risks based on interviews with Venetian environmental campaigners and draws on the mythology of the Venetian Republic. Campaigners' opinions about the mobile dams nearing completion to protect the city reveal that Venice now represents an environmentally-threatened retreat from modernity. This reputation has been established as sustainable development and climate change policies have risen to the top of political agendas in many cities and countries. The book investigates how environmentalism has been transformed from a theory underpinning counter-cultural movements to part of a dominant holistic culture in Western societies. Rather than constraining Venice in search of a mythical harmony with nature, this book offers a ten-point proposal to modernize the city while preserving its ancient heritage.
This book explores Venice's environmental risks based on interviews with Venetian environmental campaigners and draws on the mythology of the Venetian Republic. Campaigners' opinions about the mobile dams nearing completion to protect the city reveal that Venice now represents an environmentally-threatened retreat from modernity. This reputation has been established as sustainable development and climate change policies have risen to the top of political agendas in many cities and countries. The book investigates how environmentalism has been transformed from a theory underpinning counter-cultural movements to part of a dominant holistic culture in Western societies. Rather than constraining Venice in search of a mythical harmony with nature, this book offers a ten-point proposal to modernize the city while preserving its ancient heritage.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 287-305) and index.
Introduction : the Venice problem and a proposed solution -- Venice's mythical traditions. Founding myths of the Venetian Republic -- Cultural myths -- Conservationism to environmentalism. The triumph of conservationism -- Transforming conservationism into environmentalism -- Claims-making about Venice's mobile dams. Environmentalists challenge Venice's mobile dams -- Environmental claims about Venice's mobile dams -- Myths about Venice's mobile dams -- Myths about modernization. Modernization and environmentalism -- Modernizing or sustaining Venice? -- Conclusion : the reconstitution of the Venetian metaphor -- Appendix A. Profiles of Venetian environmentalists interviewed -- Appendix B. List of non-governmental organizations -- Appendix C. List and abbreviations of political parties -- Appendix D. Glossary of terminology -- Chronology : Venice and its protection.
Environmental degradation
Environmentalism
Dams