The Occupation of Public Space in Venice

Post date: Sep 30, 2015 5:56:5 AM

Public spaces symbolize the culture and the history of the society in which they exist. There are different activities that take place on these public spaces and each of them represents a diverse community, promoting interaction among people. The occupation of the public spaces in Venice is classified in five main categories (1):

1.Plateatici

2. Posteggi Ambulanti

3.Market Areas/ Exhibition

4.Kiosks

5.Photographs/ Painters

If you have never been to Venice, you will see that the majority of the bars, restaurants and cafés take advantages of these public spaces by putting seating areas with chairs outside their businesses. (plateatici) That is a common way for people, especially for tourist to spend their free time. Another form of usage of public spaces is called “posteggi ambulanti” meaning street hawkers. Their location is not stable and you will see them everywhere in Venice selling their goods to people, especially to the tourists such as : souvenirs, postcards, flowers, books, and food. On your visit to Venice, you will also notice many exhibitors, painters and photographers making their own profit on these public areas. Everyone is very busy on making their own profit of the public spaces, forgetting the damage they are causing to their community.

(1) Gasparoli, P. (2014). Venezia fragile = Fragile Venice: Processi di usura del sistema urbano e possibili mitigazioni = processes of wear on the urban system and possible mitigations. Firenze: Altralinea.