Creating a foundation for the future
In the long run...becoming a waterfront city
We were stunned when we looked at a series of Google images, and realized how big and varied the entire waterfront is and how the central part of the walkway along the Inner Harbor is such a valuable asset to creating the "Heart of Baltimore"?. Looking at Google Earth and scaling it out, the.central walkway appeared to be over 3 miles long. That could be one of the longest of most waterfronts in North America. It is also interesting that there are multiple destinations along the entire waterfront that offer connections into different neighborhoods. The opportunity to "restart" the entire waterfront by focussing initially on the main promenade as a whole and on, say 10, places (Power of 10) to activate along it both the central the waterfront, and then the entire waterfront as part of a city-wide campaign to add a Waterfront to become both the "National" and Global" asset. And then adding connections that can reach out into the each community. This strategy could also mean that different interest groups could take on responsibility. Then using a strategy to make something happen we call, Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper (LQC), individual spaces done individually can create a collective impact creating an interesting and dynamic experience along the entire waterfront to get people back.
But what also must happen is resizing the road system contiguous to the Waterfront Promenade at the central location as well as other main entrances.
We would also recommend you push back against any development that doesn't fit with the larger vision of creating a series of highly engaging destinations that are accessible and highly engaging for all...not exclusive for just a few.
Possible Strategy
Five Near Term Campaigns to Create the Foundation for Future of the Baltimore Waterfront creating a series of distinct waterfront destinations connecting into neighborhoods.
Create a Social Life for all
A series of community hubs, squares/markets public buildings where people can thrive
Make/revise all streets/intersections defined by human scale with dominate, wide sidewalks where people can be safe, especially children/elderly can feel safe...shifting the focus from cars to people
Architecture of "Place" where buildings are not walls but dynamic additions to social life with porches and inside out to add activity that creates distinctive settings for all to enjoy.
The collective result could be a very dynamic waterfront that becomes signature identity of Baltimore.
And then the rest
And then the rest
Takeaway and Benchmarks
Very few cities have the extensive, undisturbed promenades along their waterfront that Baltimore has.
There are very few cities that have such a big barrier of oversized roads and limited comfortable, natural connections between the downtown, neighborhoods and the waterfront.
The more contemporary waterfront architecture has limited engagement at the ground level. This international style of design has become a real obstacle to the renewal of downtowns and their waterfronts that developed during that era.
It is an immediate opportunity to begin (LQC) Lighter, Quicker Cheaper activations.
Benchmark: London's South Bank
Clusters of Market destinations/clusters including International food trucks, Book/Maps Stalls, Gabriel's Wharf and the Borough Market make London's South Bank a uniquely exciting destination.
International Food Truck Market
Gabriel's Wharf
Second hand Book, maps, post cards Market
A promenade that adds layer between major destinations
Fred Kent
Benchmark: Paris Plague, the world's best waterfront
Fred Kent
Promenades
Creating Iconic Places
The Paris Plage, along the Seine River, is a series of destinations that all focus on creating an iconic place, not on fancy designs. 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. False Creek could serve the same function for Vancouver.
Takeaway: Multi-Use Destinations
Vancouver badly needs multi-modal, multi-use destinations along its waterfront. In Paris, a series of mini-destinations along the Seine, each with their own distinct identity, gives people a reason to stay, play, and recreate. The Paris Plage enhances social life through smart use and placement of seating, cafes, public art, games, and shade. Baltimore must do the same in order to attract people to a dynamic destination.
Paris Library and the Louvre have a prominent spot on the Seine
Dancing at night and perches to observe waterfront activity
Pop-Up Waterside Restaurants
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. These cafe structures are relatively simple to construct and afford ample opportunity for people to stop and organically engage in the social scene. This kind of ingenuity wouldn't be hard to copy along the Baltimore Waterfront
A diverse selection of dining spots attract crowds eager to sample the creativity of Paris's chefs.
Public Art
Paris's use of public art creates opportunities for surprise, creative engagement, and new uses of previously empty public spaces. Interactive pieces like a giant chalkboard also encourage everyone to participate in the collective co-creation of the space.
Seating for People
Put a good bench in a public space, and people will find unique ways to sit, lay, nap, sunbathe, and chat on it. The benches along the Paris waterfront are not only well-placed, but also feature interesting designs which encourage creative uses and accommodate many people.
Seating is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to activate a space and is one of the most clear-cut ways to follow Paris's lead. It always helps when there are activities, sights, and people to look at while sitting down... but if Baltimore starts with seating, the rest is all the more likely to follow.
This new seating was an immediate success, offering people many creative ways to make themselves comfortable.
Bassein de la Villette
Paris has done a wonderful job of extending its waterfront activations from the city center to outlying neighborhoods, a process made possible with active waterfronts that connect to the Seine. How? By focusing on activities that attract people of all ages and backgrounds: swimming, water sports, dancing, table games, and of course, great seating.
New playgrounds, exhibits and games along the canal attract many residents from the diverse, largely immigrant neighborhoods nearby.
Two Underperforming Waterfronts
False Creek, Vancouver, British Columbia
Fred Kent
San Diego
Kathy Madden
Waterfront Promenades
Fred Kent
Kathy Madden
Fred Kent
Special Features
Fred Kent
The Best Waterfronts, a Collection of 11
Fred Kent
Making it Happen is actually pretty easy.
By starting off, first, with the idea that it will take a lot of time (but you can do something in sections early on) ; second, that you can't know what you are going to end up with and third, that you are never finished and finally, that it could take five years to get it to the level that it needs to become. A five year challenge starting with many experiments (Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper activations) that come with a vision of short term experiments...Remember, "You can't know what you are going to end up with...and if you think have to, you are wrong". This process unleashes a major watershed moment for Baltimore. It draws out the talent that is so present all around the city, just waiting to be involved. With strong leadership and enough funds to get started, you can get on a trajectory that in five years you will be able to look back and ask, "How on earth did we get here"