Venice Beyond The Dream

Abstract

This thesis explores the intricate relationship between residents and cities, with a focus on Venice as a case study. It investigates the impact of external agents on the city’s evolution, highlighting challenges such as demographic decline, economic dependence on overtourism, all symptoms of an unlivable city. The study employs a hierarchical analysis to understand Venice’s problems, em- phasizing the urgency of preserving its residents, in terms of private, collective, and public living. Utilizing urban and architectural studies, the research proposes pragmatic solutions, advocating for a balance between curated experiences and authentic urban history. The Giudecca sestiere is taken into account, an island with the potential to challenge Venice’s issues and become a res- ident-centred space, contributing to the broader discourse on urban preservation and livability. Here, Gino Valle’s Social Housing Complex from 1984 is examined, establishing limitations and potential for architectural interventions.