The survey, carried out on a representative sample of over 1,300 residents of Venice and the Veneto region, analyses the views and perceptions of the people of Venice and the Veneto regarding the passage of large ships through St Mark’s Basin. It is clear from the findings that the majority of the population is unaware of the true nature of the issue, except for aspects relating to safety requirements.
The panel of respondents believes that large ships represent an opportunity for the economy and employment: the majority (49.8 per cent) believe, in fact, that port activities generate jobs and economic opportunities. One-fifth (22.7 per cent) take a middle ground between the opportunities and the harm caused by port activities, whilst just under a quarter of those surveyed (23.1%) emphasise, on the other hand, that they cause damage to the environment and the local area, particularly amongst those living outside Venice.
When asked to specify what the real problems facing the city of Venice are, the people of Veneto ranked the issue of the clean-up of the industrial areas in Marghera as the top priority (according to 43 per cent of the sample). The passage of large ships ranks fifth among the most pressing issues (according to 22.5 per cent of the population), after the promotion of local crafts (28.1 per cent), the restoration of artistic heritage (27.5 per cent) and the management of tourist flows (27.4 per cent).
When asked about their level of awareness regarding the issue of large ships in Venice, around one-fifth of the population of the Veneto region (22.6 per cent) said they had followed the debate in detail, particularly those living in Venice’s historic centre (34.3 per cent). The majority (53.3%) admit to having a general understanding of the issue, whilst 24.2% have not heard of it.
The main source of information is television (48.8 per cent), but those living in Venice’s historic centre prefer to read newspapers (42.9 per cent). Other sources of information are less common, particularly social media (7.4 per cent).
Large ships are seen as an economic and employment opportunity for the region (according to 78.5% of those surveyed; among the Venetian population in particular, this figure rises to over 81%). Conversely, Venetians living outside Venice in particular view them as large (78.1%), polluting (65.4%) and dangerous (52.2%).
50 per cent of the population of the Veneto region say they are broadly in favour of large ships passing through St Mark’s Basin. Only 27 per cent are staunch opponents.
Should large ships no longer call at Venice, the most noticeable consequences, according to the people of Venice and the Veneto region, would be felt in terms of employment and the economy, particularly amongst port workers, businesses linked to port operations and those linked to tourism.
To request the full survey results, please contact Community Media Research: giulia.saccardo@communitygroup.it
