Me: "I could really use a reference photo of a city."
Me: "An overhead view. Preferably of a city with few tall buildings. Oh, hey, Venice is perfect for that. There must be gajillions of Venice pics."
*searches Pexels for Venice*
Me: "Okay these are all focused on canals and bridges and none of them are overhead."
Me: "I know I *took* a photo like this when I was *in* Venice 10 years ago."
*searches own photos, eventually turns up low-res pic of Venice* "Success? Well, I'll take it."
The thing about Venice that you don't see in the popular public conception of Venice is that most of the city consists of densely-packed three-five story buildings. No wheeled traffic because the frequent bridges are all made of steps. Most canals are narrow and inconspicuous when you're looking at any given section of the city. Streets are also narrow because no cars and land is overbuilt.
@rowyn Oh wow, sounds like an accessibility nightmare for wheelchair users.
@ljwrites Yes. It is one of the world's most inaccessible cities for wheelchair users and most mobility issues.
@rowyn Kinda surprised no one's sued, but maybe it's an exception to preserve a historic site or something.
@ljwrites Yeah, no idea what accessibility laws are like in Italy. But it would surprise me if they didn't have exceptions for existing construction and historic buildings.
I know Venice housing regulations basically require any new construction or remodeling to match the city's existing style, which is mostly from the 18th century. That's why virtually all the buildings in that pic are similar heights/roof style/colors.
@elysegrasso @rowyn @Satsuma I guess we know what matters to UNESCO and what doesn't when it comes to heritage, eh.
@Satsuma @ljwrites yeah though I get why replacing 400+ bridges when the entire city is sinking has a "deck chairs on the Titanic" feel to it. :/