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NEWS
Urban Waterfronts
June 29, 2009
Waterfront cities have historically been the gateways of commerce, culture, and growth for countries all over the world. A waterfront city can be a city-by-the-sea such as Hong Kong or Los Angeles, on a major river, such as Paris or London, or on a lake, like Toronto or Chicago. Although this general role as commerce capital has never changed over time, the way cities use their waterfronts has gone through many variations.
Today the modern urban waterfront should be able to function as a multi-faceted border between water and land that can accommodate all the commercial needs of an urban area including transportation and recreation, without having them compete with one another.
Take, for example, the waterfront of the Swedish city of Stockholm. Stockholm is comprised of a network of islands located in the largest archipelago in the Baltic Sea. The city has always had a connection to the water as it was historically a major avenue for commerce and transportation. What makes it unique is the way it can grow and change over time but still maintain a very open relationship with the sea.
Upon first glace one notices that there are no large highways that cut along the waterfront edges of the city, such as those in New York City. A more common site along these roads are marinas and ferry docks. The extensive public transportation network includes local ferries that are tied into the same system as the metro which makes the water a sensible option to get around town for residents and visitors alike. Most roadways, including bridges, are buffered by walkways so that pedestrians and bikers can have unobstructed views of the city and easy access to the water.
The waterway also becomes a park as it is a common place for people to take boats out for sailing, paddling, and competitive rowing. All of this activity takes place in the same space as a bustling port that handles container shipping and long distance ferry operations to other countries.
Many cities are struggling with waterfront development as they enter the post-industrial age and the primary use of their shoreline changes. Places like New York and London are trying to re-invent their industrial waterfront to make way for new parks and residential developments while still trying to keep some commercial avenues open, which can be difficult to balance.
While there are projects underway that will ensure this progress, it is important to keep in mind that a well planned and diversified waterfront creates a more sustainable city. The use of water-based transportation for goods and people takes more cars off the road and produces far less air pollution than using ground transit. Replanting native wetland grasses and creating shellfish habitats cleans the water and prevents erosion.
Above all, waterfronts have and always will be the most popular destination for people to enjoy the best that their city has to offer, so it is important to keep them in mind when planning for the future.
Article by: Eleni Glekas
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