The Paris Waterfront: Creating a spine for it Created, in a few short years A Backbone for Social Life along the entire Waterfront

The Paris Plage is a perfect example for how to begin the much needed transition from car-centric streets to people-centric promenades.

The Main Takeaway: Creating Iconic Places

The Paris Plage is focused on creating an iconic place, not on showcasing fancy buildings or over-designing – those things aren't necessary for the creation of a beloved destination. A sandy beach and some pop-up restaurants is all it took to change the whole feel of the Seine and make it a favorite place for residents — at first during the summer months, but now parts, all year round thanks to a permanent promenade and play areas. Numerous family-friendly activities today make the river seem like a social zipper, uniting the Left and Right Banks.

A street/promenade that aims to foster social life needs multi-modal, multi-use destinations to draw in people of all ages and backgrounds. 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 placement of seating, cafes, public art, games, and shade. This is a strategy for all cities with extensive waterfronts, connecting people with dynamic destinations.

The Beach

Amenities

Takeaway: 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 structures are relatively simple to construct and afford ample opportunity for people to stop and engage in the social scene organically. This kind of ingenuity would be easy to replicate in other cities considering its affordability and flexibility.

casual seating

Takeaway: Public Art

Paris's use of public art creates opportunities for surprise, creative engagement, and a new life for previously empty public spaces. Interactive pieces like the giant chalkboard also encourage everyone to participate in the collective co-creation of the space. Turning the art scene inside-out and letting it flow into the public realm through interesting, people-oriented installations gives new life and imagination to any dreary street.

Seating of all kinds is key

Put a good bench in a public space and people will find unique ways to sit, lay, nap, sunbathe, and chat on it. The variety of benches along the Paris waterfront are not only well-placed but also feature interesting designs which encourage creative uses and accommodate many people.

A New Plage Serves Many Immigrant Neighborhoods

Paris has done a wonderful job of extending its waterfront activations from the city center to outlying neighborhoods with waterfronts that connect to the Seine. By focusing on activities that attract people of all ages and backgrounds: swimming, water sports, dancing, table games, and of course, great seating. Start with activities – something that anyone from the community can organize.

Other Resources

Paris, the world's Best Waterfront

Paris, the World’s Best Waterfront

Paris Plage challenges the idea of iconic design as a way for cities to show off. Instead centering the creation of iconic places, Paris Plage sets a high standard for other cities to emulate.

Social Life ProjectFred Kent

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