Venice Urban Lab
“Who sleeps in Venice?”
An urban investigation into strs; impacts, policies, and proposals
#Overtourism, #UrbanAwareness, #PolicyAndRegulation
Author: Erk Korkmaz Solmaz
Year: 2025
University: IUAV University of Venice
Supervisor: Maria Chiara Tosi
Level: Master's thesis
Language: English
This thesis explores how a city with a fragile and exceptional historical fabric, such as Venice, relates to the people who inhabit and experience it. It investigates how different social, economic, and spatial dynamics shape the city and the effects these forces produce on everyday life. The question “Who sleeps in Venice?” is not simply about accommodation. Sleeping in a place is one of the most intimate ways of engaging with it; it implies belonging, use, and a form of temporary or permanent ownership. Through sleeping, a space becomes personal and meaningful. In Venice, however, sleeping spaces have taken on new and complex roles due to the overwhelming pressure of tourism. As demand for short-term accommodation has increased, the city has gradually shifted away from long-term residential life toward transient use. While permanent residents traditionally develop a strong sense of belonging, this relationship has weakened as tourists and short-term users increasingly occupy housing once meant for locals. As resident numbers decline, tourism continues to grow. Focusing on Short-Term Rentals (STRs), this thesis examines how digital platforms and technological developments have transformed sleeping spaces in Venice. It traces the historical evolution of STRs, analyzes their social and spatial impacts, and evaluates how the city has responded through policies and regulations. Using statistical data, visual analysis, and comparisons with regulatory approaches in other cities, the study proposes strategies for a more balanced future. The thesis concludes with the design of a public installation intended to raise awareness, encourage civic dialogue, and make the impacts of STRs visible to the people of Venice.
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