UNESCO’s recent proposal to place Venice on the 'endangered list' has sparked mixed reactions, with some viewing it as a long-overdue acknowledgment of the city's challenges, while others see it as a shock.

Despite efforts in recent years to address issues stemming from mass tourism and climate change, UNESCO contends that these measures are insufficient to safeguard Venice's cultural heritage.

The question now looms: How did Venice reach this critical juncture, and what lies ahead?

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The recommendation to designate Venice as an endangered World Heritage site emerged from UNESCO's experts and advisory body in anticipation of the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee, slated for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in September.

This recommendation, subject to a vote by the Committee composed of 21 members, including Italy, highlights the combined impacts of human activities and natural forces on the city's architectural integrity and urban fabric.

In the face of escalating visitor numbers—pre-pandemic, Venice welcomed approximately 5.5 million tourists in 2019—and the relentless march of climate change, Venice is confronting irreversible damage. Despite past attempts to regulate tourism through ticketing systems, Venice is increasingly transforming into a tourist-centric commercial hub, displacing its native population.

The specter of climate change further compounds the city's woes, with recurring floods and droughts wreaking havoc on its infrastructure and threatening its historic landmarks. As Venice teeters on the brink of being labeled 'endangered,' there's a pressing need for decisive action to preserve its cultural legacy and ensure its long-term survival.