Exploring Urban Resilience - Transferable Lessons From Venice

Regardless of the variety of political perspectives and motives related to sea level rise (and subsidence), there are some communities, i.e., Venice, who have long suffered the economic and social ramifications of the Acqua Alta-like phenomenon.  However, the list of cities who are considering their appropriate response is growing and according to Giovanni Cecconi, there are some important lessons which can be gleamed and applied from the Venice storm-surge barrier project, known as MOSE, to thwart the advancing situation while offering infrastructure sustainability and resilience.

Compelled to attend because of Maccaferri's involvement in the MOSE project, I attended the screening of "Aqua Granda" a film by Emanuele Coppola and Giovanni Ceccon yesterday at Drexel University.  The documentary shared historical and current projects and perspectives to enhance awareness of techniques deployed in the Venetian Lagoon, encourage receptivity of such practices in other areas which face this problem, and showcased some amazing footage (including a time-lapse of the MOSE project since construction commencement.)  Many thanks to creators of the film and its content and to Franco A. Montalto who hosted the presenation on behalf of Drexel University and the Consortium for Climate Risk in the Urban Northeast a NOAA Regional Integrated Sciences Assessement Project.

Maccaferri's invovment in the MOSE project related to the design, fabrication, manufacturing and deployment of a Ballasted Filter Material (BFM) on the floor of the lagoon as a key component of the scour protection system.  Maccaferri provides a variety of solutions for Coastal and Marine Protection solutions.

During yesterday's presentation, Giovanni Ceccon used a term frequently - "Engineer Nature."  Upon reflection, it is interesting to consider that Maccaferri began engineering nature nearly 140 years ago when Gaetano Maccaferri invented the modern gabion.  Fundamentally, a gabion enhances the properties of natural stone, offering predictability and design efficiency.