This research presents Venice as a paradigmatic example of urban resilience, interpreted through the lens of assemblage theory with a focus on the city’s adaptive response during the acqua alta 2019. Using a blend of agential realism and diffractive methodology, this study examines the interrelation between temporary appropriation (TA) of public spaces and the community’s resilience within Venice’s unique infrastructural system. The analysis elucidates how Venice’s human-scale urban structure, complex cultural assemblages, and robust social cohesion form a resilient mesh that adeptly managed the exigencies of acqua alta. This research spotlights TA as a pivotal mechanism by which Venice’s socio-spatial dynamics are maintained, highlighting the city’s capability to cope with and adapt to public health crises. The findings advocate for a nuanced understanding of the emergent TAs as a stabilising force within the urban assemblage, offering critical insights into fostering community solidarity and urban sustainability. This submission urges a multidisciplinary recognition of the intricate connections between architecture, anthropology, and the broader societal context, particularly in the conservation and progression of living heritage cities like Venice.