Smart and Urban Innovation Policies’ Risks of Gentrification: a Focus on Venice

The aim of this article is to offer a comprehensive perspective on the current situation of the city of Venice, observing the socio-cultural processes taking place in it. This is done through the development of a careful and in-depth analysis of the literature regarding the gentrification process directly connected to the implementation of smart and innovative policies within an urban context. In fact, it is found that the city of Venice is undergoing profound changes mainly driven by economic drivers supported by local policies, despite some stakeholders organising themselves to mitigate the trend.