Let’s Take Another Trip to Venice

Let’s Take Another Trip to Venice

October 18, 2009

Two years ago, we took a virtual trip to Venice.

October 7, 2007: Let’s Take a Trip to Venice

Amazingly, this page remains today one of the most popular pages on this whole site. There’s something about Venice — Europe’s largest carfree city — that captures the imagination. Since it is such a good example of a carfree Traditional City, let’s take another tour. (I think Venice is 100% carfree, by the way.)

Most of the photos today come from carfree.com’s Venice page. You can look at many more Venice photos here:

http://www.carfree.com/ven/index.html

There’s nothing about Venice that couldn’t be done today. If you look closely, you’ll see that it is actually quite simple. The architecture is mostly not very fancy — just your typical “even a fifth-grader could design one” box-with-windows. The streets are, of course, Really Narrow. And no cars. Bingo.

That’s all there is to it.

It really is that easy.

Also, these photos don’t have too many canal shots. The canals are nice, but not necessary.

By the way, Venice has been around for about 1500 years. What does that tell you about “Sustainability”?

Let's Take Another Trip to Venice

Really Narrow. Mmmmm …. yeah …..

Let's Take Another Trip to Venice

Note that everything is paved with stones. This is easy to do when your streets are Really Narrow. Much nicer than asphalt.

Let's Take Another Trip to Venice

When there are no cars, a city becomes a nice place for kids. At least, Mom doesn’t have to chauffer them around all day.

Let's Take Another Trip to Venice

Even McDonald’s takes on an air of respectability in the Traditional City.

Let's Take Another Trip to Venice

Even though there are lots of people, a city doesn’t seem “crowded” once you get rid of the noisy and stinky machinery.

Let's Take Another Trip to Venice

When you get rid of the cars, everything becomes a lot more artified. Even the streetlamps.

Let's Take Another Trip to Venice

You don’t have to build a fifthgrader-box all the time …

Let's Take Another Trip to Venice

But, even if you have 95%+ fifthgrader-boxes, the result is pretty good.

Let's Take Another Trip to Venice

I’m going to have to do a Hot Chicks + Narrow Streets series sometime.

Let's Take Another Trip to Venice

Sweet!

Let's Take Another Trip to Venice

I’m sure you’ve noticed that Venice is 100% Place.

October 10, 2009: Place and Non-Place

Let's Take Another Trip to Venice

Another thing which you probably weren’t thinking about is: Venice, like most classic Italian cities, does not have much greenery.

But, you weren’t missing it, were you? Like I said, a Traditional City doesn’t need greenery. Not bad if you have some, though.

Let's Take Another Trip to Venice

Most of the verdure that exists is in the form of interior courtyards, not parks. The canals also add a naturalistic element.

Let's Take Another Trip to Venice

Really Narrow Streets! This photo is about 350 meters across. Probably smaller than your mall parking lot.

Let's Take Another Trip to Venice

This photo is the same scale, about 350 meters across. It’s a parking lot at the Mall of America, Bloomington, IN

You think I’m exaggerating, but I’m not.

Let's Take Another Trip to Venice

Woodbury Commons premium outlet center, Newburgh, New York. This photo is about 600 meters across.

Let's Take Another Trip to Venice

Venice. This photo is the same scale, about 600 meters across.

Let's Take Another Trip to Venice

Scenes from Burano, another no-car city near Venice.

Let's Take Another Trip to Venice

Even though this is only a few miles away, we’ve picked up a whole new theme here — dramatic colors.

Let's Take Another Trip to Venice

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