Note: Shorten to highlights and add San Francisco, Porto, Miami Beach short version, Brisbane, Sydney
A daily promenade is a beloved tradition in many cultures. It's an opportunity to unwind after work, get some fresh air, cross paths with neighbors and friends, connect with loved ones, enjoy a refreshing treat, and see the beautiful and interesting things going on in your city.
But a promenade is only possible if there are conditions to support it – long, pedestrian-only streets lined with enjoyable things to see and interesting things to experience that facilitate uninterrupted walking for an extended period of time. The promenade is a place to see and be seen—sociability, not mobility is the point of evening strolls. It is a place specifically designed for people, not cars or bikes. Cities that have promenades are ones where vibrant social activity can be witnessed on a regular basis.
Kathy Madden
Paris Plage on the Seine
Paris Plage is an amazing place to promenade, not only because it is car-free and along the water, but because the walkway is activated with so many great things to see and experience. There are cafés, performances, games, play areas, and more, all of which attract people to take part in the vibrancy.
Fred Kent
Paris - Bassin de la Villette
Bassin de la Villette is another amazing Parisian waterfront in the northeast of the city that supports promenading. Here, a number of creative and inventive activations can be found along the canal backbone. It runs through a group of neighborhoods that are home to diverse communities, including many residents from immigrant backgrounds. The Bassin is where they all gather to stroll, relax, and enjoy themselves, creating connection and community.
Right: Looking from South to Northeast. Left: Southeast side view
Northwest Side View
Bassin de la Villette was filled with water in 1808 as part of a large Parisian canal system. It is 2,600 feet long and 230 feet wide and it is the largest artificial lake in Paris.
The waterfront has something for people of everyone, from opportunities to play on the banks or in the water, to pleasant spots in the shade where one can just lounge and chat with friends. And because there is so much to see and do, it is the perfect place to take a walk and witness all the fun.
Why is Promenading So Fun at Bassin de la Vilette?
The key to encouraging people to walk is to make walking interesting and entertaining. Taking a walk along the Bassin de la Villette is so enjoyable because there is so much to see and experience.
1) Exhibits
The Bassin is the site of many exhibitions and installations by local cultural institutions, including the Louvre, libraries, and more.
Exhibits
The many libraries and museums of Paris, including the Louvre, have created activities along a section on the west side of the Bassin.
2) Programming
A variety of programs and activities brings energy to the space and attract a crowd. There are musical performances, dance events, and water activities.
3) Refreshing
There are water features of all types along the Bassin which cool off passersby in the summer heat, making it a pleasant place to stroll.
4) Pop-ups
Along both sides of the Bassin there are pop-ups for food, drinks, and games in colorful settings. When people are out taking a walk, they love to stop and take a break while having an ice cream or drinking a coffee. These places provide the perfect spots to do so.
5) Seating
A great promenade needs to offer places to sit because everyone needs to stop and rest once in a while. A key feature of the Bassin is seating – present in many different shapes and forms along the canal.
One of our favorite examples of seating is this great bench with a built-out top for wheelchair access.
6) Beautiful focal points
When people go on a walk, they love to come across beautiful things. This is why waterfronts, with their lovely views, are such popular destinations for promenading. Charming assets like the Bassin's iconic carousel add to its visual appeal.
7) "Inside out design"
When things that normally take place inside of a building (like seating, programs, and services) spill out into the public realm, they give passersby an opportunity to see and interact with them, capturing and engaging their interest. We call this "inside out design."
An experimental bamboo structure spilled out from the existing building in what was intended as a temporary addition in 2017, but to this day it continues to change yearly
With all these great offerings along its length, the Bassin de la Villette is a perfect spot to take a walk and take part in the heart of neighborhood life. It teaches us that the key to attracting visitation is making places fun and interesting.
Stockholm
Stockholm has two separate waterfronts, each with its own charm and set of activities.
Singapore
Marina
Boat Quay
Clark Quay
Sydney, Australia
Hong Kong
