Venice wants to be known as the world capital of sustainable development
The reinvention of the city’s image and vision began with the creation of a large foundation
On February 17, the Venice City Council voted in favor of the creation of the “Venice World Capital of Sustainable Development” Foundation, with the municipality being the founder and first member of the entity. This was an important milestone as it materialized the plans that local authorities have been presenting to the world since last year regarding a new vision for the future development of the Lagoon City.
The initiative goes beyond tourism
Venice is well known for its efforts to introduce sustainability models into tourism to save the fragile heritage from the onslaught of cruise ships and take-out day visitors. The new foundation, however, is the stepping stone to something much bigger.
The foundation will conduct projects promoting a coordinated and far-sighted action plan for sustainable growth, through energy transition and the production of renewable energies (including the creation of a hydrogen hub), the redesign of the city into an international educational center, urban renewal and development towards a model of sustainable tourism. Other projects will include social inclusion and support interventions, also through tax relief for residents, a new plan for local businesses, and much more.
Last year, the Mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, presented the initiative at the Italian pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai, saying that it hopes to attract investment (public and private) to the tune of 3 to 4 billion euros.
He is counting on the support of the Italian government and the Veneto Region. Other members of the foundation will be the universities of the city – Ca’ Foscari and IUAV – and other renowned cultural and academic institutions and important names in economy and business, such as Snam, Generali, Eni, Boston Consulting Group and Confindustria.
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