Due to sea level rise, Venice may be relocated in the future

We're talking about long-term risks hundreds of years into the future.

Details

Venice regularly suffers from flooding, and the situation has only gotten worse over the past 150 years.

The city is now protected by movable barriers at the entrance to the lagoon. Scientists estimate that they will be able to cope with a rise in sea level of about 1.25 metres.

But in the long term, this may not be enough.

The researchers have considered several options:

• building more dikes around the city
• isolating the central part of Venice from the lagoon
• closing the lagoon completely with a system of defences
• relocating the city and moving its inhabitants to the mainland

Transfer is the most radical and expensive option. It is considered only in case of extreme sea level rise of more than 4.5 metres, which can happen after 2300.

Why it matters

Venice is not the only city under threat.

The same problems could arise:

• in the Netherlands
• in the Maldives
• in coastal megacities around the world

Research shows that:
even complex engineering systems have limits
long-term solutions need to be planned in advance
climate change requires not only defence but also adaptation

Background

Venice is built on islands in the lagoon and is gradually "subsiding" while facing rising sea levels.

The existing system of protective barriers (MOSE) has already cost around €6bn and has been put in place for decades.

Source

The study is published in the journal Scientific Reports (2026). The scientists analysed adaptation scenarios for Venice based on IPCC climate projections.