Mission statement

The mission of WaterfrontExpo is to make a positive difference to waterfront developments – both existing and new - around the globe, primarily through the creation of an annual conference and exhibition where professions involved in waterfront development come together to share knowledge and promote best practice.

Historical context:

95% of the world's great cities are located on rivers, estuaries, coastal harbours and lakes. Invariably, busy, thriving ports provided the impetus for these early cities. Over the centuries however, such cities typically became less reliant on maritime trade and the Central Business Districts moved away from the ancient port. As ports became detached from the growing modern cities, they increasingly fell into disuse and ultimately decay. Worse still, the ancient ports were often deliberately cut-off from the new cities. In this way, many great cities lost touch their maritime and industrial heritage.

In the past few decades, however, many cities have "rediscovered" their ports and harbours. In many cases the re-development of these zones has been stunning and has transformed them from embarrassing eyesores into prestigious commercial, retail and residential developments with great character and "trendy" appeal.

Waterfront development is now taking place at a furious pace throughout the world. In almost every major waterfront city dramatic developments are changing the way people live, work and play.

The growth of this new 'industry' is enormous both in terms of the number and magnitude of projects, with conservative estimates for the worldwide market value being put at over US$500 billion over the next five years.

Complexity:

Developing waterfronts is becoming a "science". Waterfront cities now employ urban regeneration specialists, landscape architects, master-planners,architects, real estate consultants, civil engineers, marina developers, environmental consultants, hotels and leisure developers, retail developers - and many others - to provide advice on the development of their waterfronts. Why do they go to such efforts? Perhaps because both residents of, and visitors to, a city often judge it by the quality of its waterfront?

Sustainability:

The world is full of both good and bad examples of waterfront development. What are the characteristics of waterfront design that enable any given waterfront to stand the test of time? WaterfrontExpo, via its case-study-based conference programme aims to provide clues to this particular question.

WaterfrontExpo guiding principles

WaterfrontExpo has adopted the following 10 principles, approved during the world conference under the aegis of the United Nations Urban 21 and drawn up at international seminars promoted by Wasserstadt GmbH, Berlin with the co-operation of the International Centre Cities on Water, Venice.

10 Principles for Sustainable Urban Waterfront Development

• Principle 1
  Secure the quality of water and the environment
• Principle 2
  Waterfronts are part of the existing urban fabric
• Principle 3
  The historic identity gives character
• Principle 4
  Mixed use is a priority
• Principle 5
  Public access is a prerequisite
• Principle 6
  Planning in public private partnerships speeds the process
• Principle 7
  Public participation is an element of sustainability
• Principle 8
  Waterfronts are long-term projects
• Principle 9
  Re-vitalisation is an ongoing process
• Principle 10
  Waterfronts profit from international networking

Click here for more information on these principles

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