Photo Essay of 10 Cities

T.P. Note: This post is in good shape but some of the sections should be reviewed so that the examples are focused on piers specifically, not waterfronts in general.

Along waterfronts, the greatest opportunity to create destinations is often at the piers. Some of the best waterfronts in the world have highly activated piers with a variety of uses, attractions, amenities and activities that make them lively and engaging places that people love to spend time in while breathing that fresh ocean air. If a waterfront is seeking ways to revitalize and redefine itself, the piers are a great place to start. The examples below from around the world can provide inspiration and a vision for the future.

Newport, Rhode Island

Along the downtown section of the Newport waterfront, there are many examples of piers with various uses, from public to private. Newport has one of the best waterfronts in New England and has many qualities that are good examples for other cities to follow. Bowen's Wharf is one.

View of the full waterfront

Bowen's Wharf has a great mix of cafés, shops, and outdoor areas, offering a high level of what we call "intensity" because of the density of amenities and assets within a relatively compact space. This intensity is what makes it such an interesting place that attracts visitation.

San Francisco's Embarcadero

San Francisco's waterfront is punctuated by world-renowned piers full of things to see and do. They are connected by wide pedestrian walkways offering great views over the water as people jump from one pier to the next.

These two images show the Embarcadero from the Ferry Terminal (left) to the Exploratorium (right)

Piers 39 through 47 Fisherman's Wharf (left) and Pier 39 (right). This is the main tourist section of the Embarcadero.

Pier 39

Pier 39 is so great because it feels like a public square in the heart of the city even though it is a pier that juts out into the water. Its layered activations on various floors which are connected by bridges and terraces makes the place dynamic and interesting to explore.

Promenade and Historic Street Cars

Not only are the piers beloved destinations, but the connectivity here is also part of the attraction, with historic street cars around every corner.

Fisherman's Wharf

With its famous clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls, friendly sea lions, and a chocolate wonderland at Ghirardelli Square, Fisherman's Wharf is one of America's most popular tourist destinations by the water.

Santa Monica Pier

The Santa Monica Pier is characterized by a wide pedestrian walkway that leads toward the open water, flanked on either side by attractions and amenities. This makes it feel like a classic passeggiata – a perfect place to take a walk in the fresh ocean air.

Sydney, Australia

Sydney's curved waterfront gives it a cozy sense of enclosure. The curvature also increases the visibility of the waterfronts' surroundings at every point, giving visitors even more to see along their stroll.

Copenhagen's Paper Island Temporary Activation

Copenhagen shows how even simple activations like pallet seating and umbrellas can turn a waterfront into a social hotspot. People just need a place to sit and some pleasant shade in order to enjoy the views and sounds of the water. Adding refreshments through pop-up food tents and kiosks takes it to the next level.

Chicago's Navy Pier

Chicago's Navy Pier feels like a year-round carnival. From carousels and a variety of rides to restaurants and concert venues, the pier is the ultimate multi-layered destination by the water. It also offers amazing views of the Chicago skyline from every point along its length.

Oslo's Aker Brygge

Oslo's Aker Brygge is not only a great place to stroll, it's an amazing spot to shop and socialize with wide pedestrian walkways and numerous shopping options.

Main Pier- Akker Brugge

Interior Plaza

New York City's Hudson River Park

Hudson River Park in New York City offers amazing views over the water and the skyline across the river. It is a place where various events are held such as movie nights and concerts, and it offers tables and shade perfect for picnics and hangouts.

Paris's Seine Riverfront

Paris' riverfront is a fantastic example of designing for everybody. All along the water you can find games for children, comfortable seating areas for the elderly, cafés, restaurants, bars, concerts and events for all. It is a waterfront designed with everyone in mind.

While technically not a pier, the animation of the river edges along the Seine could easily be applied to a pier as well. The important thing is that it offers a wide variety of activities and activations, it is comfortbale because it is equipped with key amenities, and it is car free.

Vancouver's Granville Island and Public Market

Vancouver's Granville Island is one of our favorite public places. With so much to see, do and experience, the island's various segments, from market to waterpark, create a memorable experience for everyone who visits.

Granville Island Working Waterfront - Boat Yard and Concrete Plant

When Granville Island was redeveloped in the 1970s, a concrete plant was kept. Today, its identity is closely tided to the island with trucks painted with vegetables and other imagery representative of the public market and Granville Island's attractions.

Cape Town's Victoria & Albert Waterfront

The Victoria and Albert waterfront is the largest employer in the southern half of Africa and one of the best examples of a fully activated waterfront in the world. Its central square, iconic ferris wheel, and charming architecture make it a deeply enjoyable destination.

San Diego's Embarcadero

The dynamic design of restaurants, public areas and shops on San Diego's Embarcadero make it an attractive destination throughout the year. Its unique sculptures in particular makes it a memorable place to explore. One of its most iconic piers is home to a great fish market and restaurant, making for a unique dining experience perched on the water.

Takeaways

There is great opportunity for the activation of waterfronts at the piers. When there is a high level of intensity and a great mix of amenities, activities, and assets at piers they become anchors for the whole waterfront and the connections between them naturally come together as well. If you want to revitalize your waterfront, start with the piers.

Further Reading

Capitalizing on the Appeal of Waterfronts: 11 of the Best
Of all the types of public spaces that exist, waterfronts are among the most 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 without its beaches.
Social Life ProjectFred Kent
Pop-up Restaurants on the Waterfront: Six Cities that Do It Well
Eating along the water is almost universally appealing. We are drawn to great waterfronts that have it, like these 6 wonderful examples.
Social Life ProjectFred Kent
Three Iconic Waterfronts — Two of the World’s Best and One That Fails Miserably
What Brooklyn (and everywhere else) can learn from Paris and Porto, Portugal
Social Life ProjectFred Kent
Creating Social Life for All - Places Where People Thrive
Great public spaces combat the epidemic of social isolation and loneliness by offering a welcoming place for people of all ages, races, abilities, and backgrounds.
Social Life ProjectFred Kent
The mission of the Social Life Project is to incite a renaissance of community connection in public spaces around the globe. It is based in Cobble Hil, Brooklyn. Through our online publications, presentations, campaigns, and catalytic projects, we can create transformative impacts on communities everywhere. Our work grows out of more than 50 years devoted to building the global placemaking movement. It is an initiative of the Placemaking Fund, along with PlacemakingX — a global network of leaders who together accelerate placemaking as a way to create healthy, inclusive, and beloved communities.

Share this post