THE UNESCO SITE “VENICE AND ITS LAGOON”: CULTURAL HERITAGE PROTECTION POLICIES

Abstract. The paper focuses on cultural heritage protection policies for the Unesco site of Venice and in particular on recent actions and guidelines carried out and elaborated by the Superintendence for Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the City of Venice and Lagoon, one of the leading stakeholders in the protection of the site. The paper also highlights the negative impact of social and anthropological factors on the cultural heritage and identity of Venice, especially in areas with minor architecture, outside major tourist routes. It illustrates the social and technical transformations in construction, trade, housing, historical and their impact on the cultural heritage and landscape and considers potential strategies that address these concerns. It further examines the specific problems and obstacles that hinder these policies, evidencing how they can only be addressed through targeted actions by the municipal administration and other stakeholders.