Urban Workshop Venice 2023

From 11th to 17th of September 2023

Urban Workshop Venice 2023: Cities, Tourism and Climate Change

Formative Program by European Cultural Academy and Artchitectours-1st Edition

• 7 -days program from September 11-17 2023
• Language: English
• Participants: Min. 14 – max 26
• Course Certificate- option for training credits
• Guided visits to Venetian Lagoon, Vicenza and Mestre
• Visits to the Biennale Architettura 2023: The Laboratory of the Future

Download Trip Programme

DAILY PROGRAMME

Day 1: Monday 11 September 2023- Arrival to Venice

Check in, at  3* Hotel or similar accomodation (refurbished convent)

View of Santa María della Salute, Venice.

Day 2: Tuesday 12 September 2023- Welcome to Venice

Welcome at one of the European Cultural Academy’s Venetian Palaces with coffee and brioche. Introduction of the workshop and overview of the week’s activities.

Introductory guest lecture by an expert Professor from IUAV University of Venice, on maritime spatial planning, tourism, and issues of climate change and waterfront regeneration for a sustainable, healthy city of the future.

Free time for lunch. After lunch, guided visit to the European Cultural Centre’s exhibition “Time, Space Existence” with a Q&A session.

Afterwards, walking introduction to Venice, with expert guide to the history and culture of the city.

View Palazzo Ducale, Venice.

Day 3: Wednesday 13 September- Biennale Giardini

Breakfast at the hotel. At 9.30, meeting with the guide, artist Alan Rogers, who will lead you on a very special walk in the city of Venice: a psychogeographical drift of Entrances, Portals and Doorways, and their significance.

At 11 am, arrival to one of the two main sites of the Venice Biennale of Architecture – The Giardini, where there are two tours: An official Biennale guide will explain the main pavilion “The Laboratory of the Future”, curated by Lesley Lokko.  Tour by Alan Rogers of ECA of selected pavilions that have been picked for their relevance to the themes you will be exploring as a group.

Lunch on-site (not included). After lunch, independent exploration of the rest of the Giardini site. Workshop exercise, “Reading a Street”. Meal in a local Pizzeria (not included).

    Venice, Biennale of Architecture.

Day 4: Thursday 14 September- Trip to Venetian Lagoon “Sustainability and tourism”

Breakfast at the hotel. Trip in vaporetto, ACTV water transport, to explore the fabulous natural lagoon that surrounds and protects Venice.

The first planned visit isto Murano, well known worldwide for its handcrafted glassware. In this case, tourism has contributed to maintain this traditional craft of the area. Afterwards, visit to San Lazaretto Nuovo, where the term quarantine was invented, and which housed the first architectural construction that held merchant ships for 40 days whilst the crew was tested, and the cargo disinfected.

The third stop is a visit to Sapori di Sant’ Erasmo, an organic and biodynamic vegetable farm, which supplies the local population with seasonal vegetables. Explanation of how the Serenissima managed and exploited the surrounding islands as an extended urban planning project.  the unique flora and fauna have contributed to local and seasonal cuisine, which remains at the heart of the Venetian culture. You’ll discover how insects are used as a pesticide, facts about the water table, and the soil and why fruit is no longer abundant on the island, known as “the vegetable garden of Venice”.

Depending on the particular interests of the group, the excursion could also include Murano, local vineyards or the construction and maintenance of the barene, earth banks constructed to manage the internal water system.

Venetian Lagoon.

Day 5: Friday 15 September- Venice Cannareggio & Biennale Arsenale

After breakfast, tour of the Cannareggio and its Guetto. Visit to the Orsini Colour Library, the Ocean Space Research Faculty and Exhibition.

At 11 am visit of The Arsenale, Venice Biennale of Architecture, with a lecture and an hour-long tour. A member of the Venice Biennale staff team will present a lecture on the history of the Biennale and its impact and relevance for the economics of the city.

Tour of selected pavilions and installations that have been picked in discussion with the group for their relevance in the workshop. Free time for lunch in the Biennale area.

In the afternoon, independent exploration of the rest of the Arsenale site, free time to explore the area (the gardens close at 7 pm).

  La Biennale, Arsenale, Venice.

Day 6: Saturday 16 September- VICENZA and MESTRE

Breakfast at the hotel. Excursion to Vicenza, to visit some of Andrea Palladio’s architectural masterpieces as the Basílica Palladiana and the Teatro Olimpico. Free time for dinner.

In the evening, trip to Mestre, to visit the contemporary M9 Museum ideated by the German architectural firm Sauerbruch and Hutton. Return to Venice and free-time.

Farewell group dinner in Venice (included).

Basilica Palladiana, Vicenza.

Day 7: Sunday 17 September. Final Session- Farewell Venice

Breakfast and check-out. Free time to complete the workshop activities.

At 10 am, critical feedback session, including selected presentations from participants, sharing ideas and creating research networks for the future, portfolio appraisal, and feedback on the experience and how it might develop in the future.

After the session, there will be a celebratory cocktail or Prosecco. Free time for lunch (not included).

In the afternoon, return to the destination of origin by your own means. Transfers to the airport can be arranged upon request.

Venetian Canal, Venice.

*The program of visits, lectures or the itinerary may vary for reasons that are beyond the company’s control.