Reining in the Tides: Venice's Battle Against Flooding

💧Venice has a significant flooding problem, with the frequency of floods increasing over the years.

🌊The MOSE barriers, designed by engineer Giovanni Cecconi, are mobile storm surge gates that rise to separate the Venetian lagoon from the sea.

🏰The MOSE barriers cost $6 billion and were installed to protect Venice from high tides and flooding.

⚙️Another proposed solution is the construction of a super levee, which would create a flood protection zone and allow for infrastructure development.

🔍The implementation of these solutions faces challenges such as corruption, public approval, and potential environmental impact.

Why is Venice prone to flooding?

—Venice is located in a lagoon on the Adriatic Sea and is built on wooden pilings. The city is sinking due to geological factors and human activities, while rising sea levels contribute to the frequent flooding.

What are the MOSE barriers?

—The MOSE barriers are mobile storm surge gates that rise to separate the Venetian lagoon from the sea. They were designed and operated by engineer Giovanni Cecconi to protect Venice from high tides and flooding.

What is a super levee?

—A super levee is a flood protection system that creates a wide footprint with a low-grade back slope. It would enclose the city and form a lake inside the boundary, allowing for the circulation of water and the development of infrastructure.

What challenges do these solutions face?

—The implementation of the MOSE barriers and a super levee faces challenges such as corruption, delays, changes in laws, and the need for public approval. There are also concerns about potential environmental impacts and the long-term sustainability of these solutions.

How else is Venice adapting to rising tides?

—In addition to the MOSE barriers and the proposed super levee, Venice has implemented measures such as glass barriers to protect monuments, raised walkways to guide crowds, and Venetians wearing waiters to navigate the flooded streets.

00:00Venice has a significant flooding problem, with the frequency of floods increasing over the years.

02:07The MOSE barriers, designed by engineer Giovanni Cecconi, are mobile storm surge gates that rise to separate the Venetian lagoon from the sea.

05:02A proposed solution is the construction of a super levee to create a flood protection zone and allow for infrastructure development.

06:39The implementation of these solutions has challenges such as corruption, public approval, and potential environmental impact.