Canals
Docks
Bridges
Utilities
The purpose of this project was to review the history and progress of urban maintenance in preparation for the Venice Project Center’s 20th anniversary. Due to language barriers, knowledge about Venetian infrastructure and maintenance is largely unavailable to people outside of Italy, thus our primary focus was to produce a collection of chapters highlighting the most important aspects of urban maintenance for an English-based publication on Venice. Once this information was collected, the team explored new ways in which the data could be used to benefit the people of Venice, specifically those with mobility impairments.
Data collection on the island of Tolentini showed several key bridges favored by individuals with impediments.
As part of additional research, this project assessed the state of Island Accessibility. Inspired by the efforts of Comune di Venezia and Accessible Venice , a Geographical Information System (GIS) map layer was created displaying each island’s accessibility. This dynamic map included hotlinks for handicap itineraries provided by Accessible Venice and a color-code system to distinguish accessible vs. inaccessible islands as well as temporarily accessible islands. This interactive map, if made available on the Internet will allow each individual to access information on areas of accessibility throughout the island. This will aid in informing viewers on the resources available for mobility impaired travel.
Pedestrian traffic counts were performed and a Bridge Accessibility fieldwork form for future mobility studies was produced to analyze the impediment that bridges cause. Although tests were only performed to decide the feasibility of continuing a larger scale study of this project, initial results showed that on one island tested, 4.9% of Venetian pedestrians had mobility impairments. Specific problems and setbacks that were encountered were noted during testing in order to recommend a more accurate study be completed by future groups. A larger scale study would be completed to make assessments on areas where mobility impaired options could be beneficial. With the information, the City of Venice could make expert decisions on the implementation of these accessibility resources.
Design of the interface for Navigate Venice, a web-based navigation tool capable of optimizing paths for people will all levels of mobility impairments.
In an effort to provide visually impaired individuals with protection from hazardous areas throughout the city, an experiment was done with the automated identification of these locations, defined as "danger zones". Using data collected from 18 years of previous Interactive Qualifying Projects, additional GIS layers were created to add to the existing collection of database layers. These layers specifically identified danger zones of docks as well as the location and types of useable docks in Venice’s Centro Storico.
Lastly, a web-based application was designed to map accessible routes around Venice. Although this application is not functional, if developed it could provide the public, including the mobility impaired community, with accurate routes to navigate the city. It will utilize the accessibility solutions implemented in the city with functions such as "Utilize Boat Transportation" and "Minimize Number of Steps" so people with ambulatory disabilities can travel across the city with less difficulty.