Learning from medieval Italy: urban sustainability concepts from the heritage of hydraulic infrastructures. The cases of Venice, Siena and Bologna

Medieval hydraulic infrastructures in Venice, Siena, and Bologna offer five key sustainability principles—exploitation, self-sufficiency, maintenance, rationalisation, and reuse—that align with modern Sustainable Development Goals. These systems, developed with limited resources, demonstrate innovative water management strategies that prioritize efficiency and cultural-geographical knowledge. The study maps these historic models to identify adaptable solutions for contemporary urban water supply challenges, highlighting their relevance in an era of instability and the urgent need for sustainable communities.

López-Bravo, C., & López, J. P. (2024). Learning from medieval Italy: urban sustainability concepts from the heritage of hydraulic infrastructures. The cases of Venice, Siena and Bologna. Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, 16(7), 111–126. https://doi.org/10.1108/jchmsd-12-2023-0222