Post date: Oct 16, 2015 5:55:33 PM
The issue of noise pollution in the plateatici is an important one that our group will be delving into, but noise pollution is not a new issue to the city of Venice. Just recently, in 2014, there was controversy regarding noise pollution on the streets from a different source: wheels. Initially, it was stated that certain types of rubber wheels on the cobblestone, which were not only disruptive to the locals but damaging to the cobblestone, would be fined for up to 500 Euros. At first, this was interpreted to include suitcases with wheels, which would be a big attack upon the tourists of the city.
American Tourists in St. Mark's Square -Photo: ALAMY
Naturally, there was a lot of backlash caused by this, and multiple articles were written stating that wheeled suitcases would no longer be allowed. However, many of these articles were revised when the commissioner of the city, Vittorio Zappalorto, confirmed that the ban would not apply to suitcases. Instead, he stated, it would only target loud carts moving goods early in the morning. You can read about it at http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/venice-bans-wheel-suitcases-to-stop-noise-pollution-and-protect-its-historic-streets-9880369.html
Just goes to show you that noise pollution is still an ongoing problem in Venice, so there's definitely work we can do in that direction.