As cities in the U.S. and around the world face the ever-evolving risks of climate change, the transformation of waterfronts into resilient, thriving spaces has become essential. Resilient waterfronts showcase innovative strategies to serve multiple functions on one site and reimagine existing uses to address new risks while maintaining economic vitality, equity and access. Cities are investing in waterfronts not only for flood protection and water storage but also for purposes like tourism, redevelopment, recreation, shipping, and transportation. In some areas, waterfronts are being restored as ecological spaces, supporting habitats, improving water and air quality, reducing urban heat island effects, and offering recreational opportunities.
Nevertheless, cities face many challenges in transforming their waterfronts. Below we discuss these challenges in more detail along with the emerging innovative solutions that we are watching.
Urban waterfronts face significant challenges
Ambitious Expectations
For years, urban waterfronts have served as global connectors, economic engines, open spaces, and hubs for social interaction. On top of these functions, they are increasingly becoming the first line of defense against coastal storms and tidal flooding. Though such flood protection solutions are extremely valuable, they can complicate waterfront access and use. Balancing the diverse roles of waterfronts as a means of transportation, recreation and community development as well as climate resilience, while ensuring equal access and long-term vitality, is a complex challenge.
Long-Term Degradation
Some waterfront areas have suffered due to disinvestment, economic shifts in waterfront industries, and aging infrastructure, which hinders their potential to be vibrant community assets and poses environmental and public health risks. Addressing struggling waterfronts requires deliberate action and sustained investment.
Complex Risk Context
To preserve waterfronts and safeguard the areas around them, cities must urgently innovate and adapt to protect their waterfronts against rising tides and extreme weather events, as well as other long-term threats such as seismic risk and urban heat island effect. Complexities are compounded by potential contamination in the area of construction and its impacts to real estate and its tenants.
Resilient waterfronts require innovative, sustainable solutions
Comprehensive Approaches
Adopting a multi-layered approach to waterfront resilience that integrates enhanced open and green spaces, innovative flood mitigation measures, and resilient building design is essential for robust waterfront resilience. Thinking holistically about how limited waterfront space can be reimaged to serve multiple benefits will become increasingly crucial to meet multifaceted demands.
Waterfronts of Tomorrow
From creating integrated flood protection within dynamic waterfront parks to developing approaches that protect and enhance the resilience of waterfront industries that provide jobs and critical services for future economy, creative design can help prepare urban waterfronts for the needs of the future.
Nature-Based Solutions
Harnessing the power of nature through strategies like wetland restoration and green infrastructure can enhance the resilience of waterfront areas while providing numerous co-benefits for the environment and the community, such as spaces for play and recreation, elements that help mitigate extreme heat, and solutions to improve air and water quality. Nature-based approaches often allow for new ways of thinking about environmental permitting and benefit from collaboration with regulatory agencies to evaluate the need for regulatory updates in light of new design solutions.
Revitalizing Industrial Waterfronts
By activating working waterfronts through a blend of resiliency measures, placemaking initiatives, and private sector engagement, cities can breathe new life into formerly underutilized areas.
Implementation requires a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach
Turning Plans into Reality
The success of resilient waterfront projects hinges on the seamless transition from planning to implementation. We have found that robust community and stakeholder engagement is critical to this process, as the success of a project depends not only on the end users of the space but also on the stakeholders who must buy in and lead project implementation.
Utilizing Interdisciplinary Teams with Local and Global Experience
Waterfronts are bustling areas within communities that serve many interdependent functions which require interdisciplinary teams that can address and think through all stages of the planning and design process and various methods of project delivery, as well as the complex needs associated with the specific area’s ambitions, opportunities, and risks. Experts in natural hazards, security, economic opportunity, ecosystem services, design, and collaborative project delivery with global best practices must work alongside locally committed experts and stakeholders with a deep understanding of the area’s context and needs.
Securing Funding
Exploring a mix of funding and financing mechanisms such as public-private partnerships, grants, and municipal budgets is crucial to ensure the financial sustainability of resilient waterfront initiatives. Funding and financing strategies must consider not just upfront planning and construction costs but also costs associated with long-term operations and maintenance.
Collaborating with Key Agencies
Waterfront resilience often requires innovative design using new approaches and technologies. Engaging agency stakeholders at the local, state, and federal level throughout the project planning process can help streamline complex permitting processes and ensure alignment with guidelines and regulations.
Case Studies
To address urban sustainability challenges and create truly resilient waterfronts, it is necessary to implement innovative designs and sustainable strategies, utilizing a comprehensive and interdisciplinary team of experts. Below are some project examples to help unpack the concepts explored in this piece.
The creation of resilient waterfronts is a complex, multidisciplinary process that demands imaginative approaches. By learning from successful case studies, embracing innovative solutions, and fostering collaboration across sectors, decision makers in local governments can pave the way for a more resilient and prosperous urban future. As we reimagine our waterfronts in the context of a changing climate, we must work together to unlock the full potential of our waterfronts as resilient, vibrant spaces that nurture communities, promote economic growth, safeguard the environment, and inspire future generations to build sustainable cities for all.
