WaterfrontExpo 2008 | Mission statement

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.

The 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

The 10 guiding principles in more detail

Principle 1 - Secure the quality of water and the environment

The quality of water in the system of streams, rivers, canals, lakes, bays and the sea is a prerequisite for all waterfront developments. The municipalities are responsible for the sustainable recovery of derelict banks and contaminated water.

Principle 2 - Waterfronts are part of the existing urban fabric

New waterfronts should be conceived as an integral part of the existing city and contribute to its vitality. Water is a part of the urban landscape and should be utilised for specific functions such as waterborne transport, entertainment and culture.

Principle 3 - The historic identity gives character

Collective heritage of water and city, of events, landmarks and nature should be utilised to give the waterfront redevelopment character and meaning. The preservation of the industrial past is an integral element of sustainable redevelopment.

Principle 4 - Mixed use is a priority

Waterfronts should celebrate the water by offering a diversity of cultural, commercial and housing uses. Those that require access to water should have priority. Housing neighbourhoods should be mixed both functionally and socially.

Principle 5 - Public access is a prerequisite

Waterfronts should be both physically and visually accessible for locals and tourists of all ages and income. Public spaces should constructed in high quality to allow intensive use where it does not disturb work in progress.

Principle 6 - Planning in public private partnerships speeds the process

New waterfront developments should be planned in public/private partnerships. Public authorities must guarantee the quality of the design, supply infrastructure and generate a social equilibrium. Private developers should be involved from the start to insure knowledge of the markets and to speed the development. The coordinators of complex waterfront developments must guarantee their long-term economic, social and ecological success.

Principle 7 - Public participation is an element of sustainability

Cities should benefit from sustainable waterfront development not only in ecological and economical terms but also socially. The community should be informed and involved in discussions continuously from the start.

Principle 8 - Waterfronts are long-term projects

Waterfronts need to be redeveloped step by step so the entire city can benefit from their potential. They are a challenge for more than one generation and need a variety of characters both in architecture, public space and art. Public administration must give impulses on a political level to ensure that the objectives are realised independently of economic cycles or short-term interests.

Principle 9 - Re-vitalisation is an ongoing process

All master-planning must be based on the detailed analysis of the principle functions and meanings of the waterfront concerned. Plans should be flexible, adaptable to change and incorporate all relevant disciplines. To encourage a system of sustainable growth, the management and operation of waterfronts during the day and at night must have equal priority to building them.

Principle 10 - Waterfronts profit from international networking

The re-development of waterfronts is a highly complex task that involves professionals of many disciplines. The exchange of knowledge in an international network between contacts involved in waterfronts on different levels offers both individual support and information about the most important projects completed or underway.