What all cities can learn from Porto, Paris, London and San Francisco—and why Brooklyn's Brooklyn Bridge Park should get a total makeover:
Cities today are resurgent in popularity and population growth, so the time is right for exploring how we can make them better. In our experience, taking a close look at how things are done in successful communities—as well as communities that fall short of the mark—offers clear lessons.
The key to making sure places thrive is fulfilling the needs of everyone who lives there—rather than focusing on the demands of cars, traffic engineers and real estate developers. The way to do that is creating multi-use, multi-dimensional public spaces— attractive, engaging places with many things to do so people of all ages and backgrounds will want to gather there.
Waterfronts are often the place to start because they are strongly linked to the identity and history of a city. There could be no Stockholm without the harbor, no San Francisco away from the bay, no Rio with no beaches. Most cities grew up around the water, but these birthplaces later became shunned as sketchy, polluted, disreputable places.
Now—from Abu Dhabi to London to Brisbane— waterfronts have been reimagined as vital civic assets. This presents an ideal opportunity for launching placemaking campaigns that involve the entire community in shaping public spaces that reflect their aspirations.
It's important to remember that placemaking means more than just adding distinctive or "cool" features to a location. It's about creating a place that engages people to do something more than look at it. It's about generating activity we want to join in on, connecting us with other people.
The waterfronts of Paris, Porto and Brooklyn offer important insights about what makes a place beloved by those who live, work and play there—and what doesn't. The secret is paying attention to how people actually use waterfront spaces. Below we show what sparks social activity and interaction in Paris and Porto— and how limited the options are in Brooklyn Bridge Park by comparison.
Porto's Historic Old Town:
Inspiration for Doing Density Right
Porto, Portugal's second largest city, straddles the Douro River near where it merges into the Atlantic Ocean. The waterfront is gloriously historic. It's easy to imagine what life was like here 150 years ago. The sheer pleasure that arises strolling these streets explains why Porto has become a pilgrimage site for city-loving travelers.
Porto's riverfront fosters activity all year around. Streets cascade down from hilltops to the riverside promenade, which is fronted by cafes, shops and public seating that encourages people to to linger. This district is recognized internationally for bustling public spaces that stretch over a wide geographical footprint, enlivened by three entry points funneling people into every section of the promenade. The rich interplay of all these elements adds up to one of the world's top waterfronts.
Public spaces overlook the water from various vantage points, giving Porto's waterfront the dynamic feel of an amphitheater.
The old town is dotted with small cafes and food kiosks offering refreshment and relaxation.
Plentiful public seating sets the stage for some of the best people-watching in Europe. A near-perfect waterside promenade accommodates two streams of passing pedestrians—one looking out on the water, the other checking out what's happening at outdoor cafes.
Paris's New Riverfront:
The Secrets of the World's Best Waterfront
The "city of light" on the Seine has long represented the gold standard by which all other cities are measured. Until recently, however, the Seine itself was not considered one of Paris's highlights. Indeed, it felt like gash ripping the city apart with wide riverside roads and roaring traffic.
That's changed dramatically over the past 15 years, as a series of projects transformed the river and a canal into what we believe is the world's #1 waterfront.
For many years, the Georges Pompidou Expressway barred public access to the Seine in most places, until the city government stepped in to prioritize people's enjoyment over the needs of cars. The upper roads along the river have been narrowed, allowing people on foot, on bicycles and pushing baby strollers to feel at home along the river and the city streets above it.
A sandy beach and pop-up restaurants changed the whole feel of the Seine —at first during the summer months, but now all year thanks to a permanent promenade and play areas. Numerous family-friendly activities today make the river seem like a zipper, uniting the Left and Right Banks.
Greatly-Loved New Places on the River
Paris Plage ("beach" in French), a bold experiment to create the ambience of a seaside resort in the heart of the city, lasted only 6 weeks in 2002. But its wild popularity led to the pedestrianization of both banks of the Seine, returning the riverfront to its rightful role as the heart of Paris. The"Plage" became a model, for a seasonal beach project we recommended for Detroit that helped recharge the downtown—one of many projects around the globe inspired by Paris's reinvigorated riverfront.
A series of mini-destinations along the Seine, each with their own distinct identity, make Paris the world's greatest waterfront.
Just a few of the many fun things to do up and down the Seine.
The riverfront is an exquisitely social place where everyone feels comfortable to sit, play, talk, eat or just watch.
Left Bank—Pop-Up Waterside Restaurants Enliven Things
Upriver from Notre Dame Cathedral, the riverfront has been animated by seasonal restaurants and bars that remain hopping into the early hours of the morning.
A diverse selection of dining spots attract crowds eager to sample the creativity of Paris's chefs.
Les Berges—Connecting the Riverfront from Musee d'Orsay to the Eiffel Tower
Art is an important element from Musee d'Orsay and Les Berges extending toward the Eiffel Tower. A giant blackboard, for instance, let's everyone express themselves.
This new seating was an immediate success, offering people many creative ways to make themselves comfortable.
Canal St-Martin—A New Plage Serves Lower-Income Neighborhoods
New playgrounds, exhibits and games along the canal attract many residents from the diverse, largely immigrant neighborhoods nearby.
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London's South Bank Waterfront
London is clearly one of the best waterfronts in the world. We would put it in the top five.
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The best waterfronts are the ones that are dynamic, organic, multi-use, and adapt well over time. Those that draw on history are the best. London's South Bank is a series of distinct destinations with a promenade that varies as well. There is no dominate design "motif". There are two markets, Borough Market that offer food of all kinds in a dense and intense setting and Gabriel's Wharf which is a small square with small shops that thrive in a cluster around an active square like atmosphere. There is also international Food Truck Market and a large Book market under the, maps and postal card market protected fro the weather by a bridge.
. There are other distinct destinations that include a major Museum, The Tate Modern, The London Eye, The Globe Theatre and four major Theatre facilities, The Royal Festival Hall/South Bank Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hall and the National Theatre. Each face directly on the promenade using the outdoors as part of their venue. With these major anchors London's South Bank is one of the most dynamic waterfronts we've seen.
South Bank Promenade
promenade
The London Eye
The Promenade Book Market
The Book Market on London's South Bank is a treasure trove of prints, maps, and of course, new reading material! Through its outdoor presence, the Book Market draws Londoners and visitors to take a closer look as they stroll the waterfront.
Borough Market
Borough Market is a delight for the senses, and has been for centuries. Along the South Bank Waterfront in London, this is the place to be if you're looking for fresh food. Though not directly on the waterfront, the market is well-connected and boasts a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces (inside the Market Hall and out). Borough Market is one of the most visited destinations in London, and a major attraction along the South Bank.
Gabriel's Wharf
Gabriel's Wharf is an excellent example of Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper destination building. Transformed from an empty space, Gabriel's Wharf now hosts an active arts presence, unique vendors, and cafés — all of which was kicked off in an initial super-fast three-month development plan implemented in 1988. It's incredible to see how that moment marked a turning point for what is now an excellent waterfront destination.
Gabriel's Wharf
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Global Street Food Market
Performance Halls
South Bank Centre/Royal Festival Centre
Queen Elizabeth Hall
National Theatre
Globe Theatre
Bridges That Connect to the Downtown Centre
Takeaways London's South Bank is one of the great promenades of the world.
It is highly spontaneous, organic, and constantly changing... elements that make it a place we want to be. It is a stage that embraces you as you travel along it.
The Thames connects to different parts of the city with bridges positioned to guide you into various parts of the main part of London... its a "spine" of social activity connecting rather than a dividing. It provides not only a strong economic base for clusters of local businesses, but at the same time a series of valuable public spaces.
This large collection of destinations is a place people visit regularly year around. There is always change within the venues and the markets are places of intense experiences exploring the vast resources each venue offers visitors a new experience because its places change as the people change. The best waterfronts have at least 10 destinations, following the Power of 10+ principle –
San Francisco's waterfront has been two decades in the making and it is still growing with big opportunities ahead. It is becoming more and more vibrant in both directions as it adds layers of activations, and it is well on its way to becoming one of the top waterfronts in the world. Its success can be attributed to amazing piers full of memorable attractions and the enjoyable promenades that connect them.
The Waterfront Core - Fisherman's Wharf
Much of the attractions at the San Francisco waterfront happen in Fisherman's Wharf, at Pier 39 in particular. The connections between key areas are pleasant pedestrian walkways with great views of the water.
San Francisco has developed along a waterfront that is very deep, which allows for a great collection of activities to be set up by the water, stretching inland. This gives nearby neighborhoods opportunities to connect and build off of the historic waterfront, weaving it effectively into the urban fabric of San Francisco.
Pier 47-43 Fisherman's Wharf & Piers 43-39 Pier 39
Google View of connections into downtown
Pier 39
Pier 39 is the standout destination on the waterfront. It has a great layering of amenities, shops, entertainment options, and eateries. At every step your senses are engaged with the smells of clam chowder and the ocean, sounds of children laughing on the carousel, music from the shops, chatter from the crowds, and the sight of countless charming shops to explore. The fact that it is on two floors connected by stairways and bridges gives it double the density of things to experience.
Fisherman's Wharf
Fisherman's Wharf's combination of history, culture, great eateries and entertainment make it one of the city's biggest treasures and most popular destinations.
Amenities along the water include focal points like sculptures, kiosks, and small clusters of activities, attracting people by offering a variety of options for things to see and do throughout the day.
San Francisco's waterfronts are a series of hubs off of which community activity has continued to grow.
Promenade
A wide promenade punctuated with kiosks, trees, and sculptures along its length leads visitors to the destinations at the piers in a relaxing and enjoyable way. Impressive ships and boats capture attention from various vantage points. Wide sidewalks create a relaxed walking experience where pedestrians don't feel like they're right up against traffic.
View west toward Fisherman's Wharf and east toward the aquarium and the passenger ship terminal
Water-based activities
As any good waterfront should, San Francisco's offers a variety of water-based activities such as boat tours and cruises.
Big assets
A mix of big and small assets is a great way to keep people coming back to a place, and one of the San Francisco waterfront's bigger assets is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike – the aquarium. Other big assets include the Ferry Terminal and Market Street Plaza.
"Aquarium of the Bay"
Ferry Terminal - End of Market Street
Market Street Plaza
View West
View over City and East
Access - Street Cars
Accessibility is essential for great public places. People can't enjoy a place if they can't reach it. In San Francisco, accessibility is an attraction in itself as historic streetcars transport people to and fro.
San Francisco's waterfront is one of the best in North America. It is enjoyable, exciting, and unique and it highlights the city's natural treasures, culture, and history. It's no wonder that the waterfront is one of the most characteristic parts of the city and its main tourist draw. Other cities by the water can find inspiration in what San Francisco has been doing to enhance this great asset.
Who we are
To learn more about other waterfronts, read other articles in our series:
Brooklyn Bridge Park:
A Lesson on What Not to Do
Brooklyn Bridge Park is the borough's face to the world, offering great views of internationally renown sights like the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge itself.
Paris and Porto offer instructive examples for improving Brooklyn Bridge Park as do waterfronts in Stockholm, London, Barcelona, Cape Town, Singapore, San Francisco, Washington, Halifax, and many other cities. So do places on the Brooklyn waterfront outside the park, such as Fulton Landing and Dumbo.
The good news is that a waterfront renaissance can happen rather quickly. In just 15 years, Paris went from near-nothing to the world's best. Washington, DC has come a long way in 10 years, and Halifax turned around their harbourfront in even less time. Brooklyn can catch up.
The first step for improving Brooklyn Bridge Park is replacing the berms with usable public space that offer food and display art and other cultural exhibits, similar to Porto. The next step is converting some of the vast expanse of riprap to playgrounds and other magnets for activity and social interaction as Paris has done. Halifax built out over the riprap, adding a significant amount of public spaces. All this would make a huge contribution to Brooklyn's growing reputation as a great global city.
These massive berms stretch all along the Brooklyn Promenade.
Brooklyn Bridge Park has 6 piers. Two of them are large athletic facilities. They are much needed and well-used, but do not offer any place for visitors not participating in sports events to have a conversation or enjoy a snack.
The green spaces in Brooklyn Bridge Park's feature mostly passive uses or organized sports.
Brooklyn Bridge Park's buildings are designed as sculptural objects, rather than places for people to settle in and have fun.
Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pier 6:
Gateway to Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn's Main Street
Pier 6 is basically all trees and bushes with limited open space where people could take in the views.
Most folks visit waterfront parks for the views and a chance to be up close to the water. The one water feature in Brooklyn Bridge Park is hidden among the foliage and clearly not adequate for hot summer days.
A Bright Spot Under Brooklyn Bridge:
Fulton Landing and Jane's Carousel Emerge as Popular Waterfront Attractions
While Fulton Landing draws many pedestrians, the area is still dominated by cars and trucks.
Two public piers at Fulton Landing offer some space for public gatherings.
On the Waterfront—Brooklyn at Its best.
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Our Favorite waterfronts:
Paris, Porto, London South Bank, Stockholm, Cape Town, Helsinki, Stavanger, Oslo, Bergen, San Francisco, Venice Beach, Sidney, Brisbane, Miami Beach, Halifax, Zurich, Venice, Rio de Janerio,
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Not So Great:
New York City, Amsterdam, San Diego, Hong Kong, Singapore, Boston, Portland, Maine, Portland, Oregon, Seattle, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Buenos Aires
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Kathy Madden
Fred Kent
Social Life Project’s mission is to highlight what makes public spaces thrive, drawing from communities around the world. Social Life Project is one of two inaugural program of our new non-profit the Placemaking Fund. Our second program is PlacemakingX, a global network of leaders who together will accelerate placemaking as a way to create inclusive, healthy, and beloved communities. To make the spaces we live into places we love.
Learn more about our two programs:
Fred Kent
Fred Kent
