Thomas Jefferson University’s Institute for Smart & Healthy Cities to Open ‘Cities Under Climate Threat’ Exhibit in Venice, Italy

Philadelphia, PA and Venice, Italy – The Institute for Smart and Healthy Cities at Thomas Jefferson University and the Università Iuav di Venezia are proud to announce the creation of the upcoming "Cities under Climate Threat: Venice – Philadelphia" exhibit.

As cities located along waterways, Venice and Philadelphia are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including extreme temperatures, sea-level rise, and heavy precipitation.

This collaborative exhibit – to be shown at the Palazzo Badoer in the Italian city during the Venice Biennale 2023 – will explore solutions for tomorrow's most pressing problems, including urbanization, public health, environment and climate change.

Visitors will see large physical models from Venice and Philadelphia that showcase speculative urban-redevelopment projects and predicted environmental changes between now and the year 2050. Emergent digital techniques will indicate the interrelationship between climate, urbanization, population health and other indicators.

These projects aim to shape the concept of the resilient city by tapping into transdisciplinary research and education across multiple disciplines.

Dr. Edgar Stach, the Institute’s director, hopes visitors will explore and discuss innovative ideas and approaches for building smarter and healthier cities around the world.

“We are excited to collaborate with the Università Iuav di Venezia on this important exhibit," Dr. Stach says, noting that the exhibition brings together experts in the fields of population health, medicine, architecture, urban planning and climate change. "The exhibit offers a unique opportunity to showcase how interdisciplinary research can provide solutions to the complex challenges facing cities around the world.”

Dr. Francesco Musco, deputy rector for research of the Università Iuav di Venezia, concurs.

"We are proud to showcase the collaboration between Venice and Philadelphia on this critical issue," said Dr. Musco. "This exhibit provides a platform for our institutions to work together to explore solutions for the challenges of the future."

The exhibit’s opening will take place at 5 p.m. (local time) on May 19 in Venice. For more information, Dr. Edgar Stach is available for interviews in advance of the opening.

For more information Contact:

Brian Hickey 
Senior Manager, News and Media  
Thomas Jefferson University 
267-582-5570
[email protected]

Institute Contact

Edgar Stach, Dr. -Ing, AIA/IA 
Director, Institute for Smart & Healthy Cities Professor of Architecture 
[email protected] 

Francesco Musco, PhD 
Director of Research 
Coordinator, MS in Urban Planning for Transition 
Organization:Università Iuav di Venezia 
[email protected]