Changing attitudes for sensitive urban waterfronts

The association between settlements and water connects us to the beginnings of human history and civilization, since biologically humans have an innate need to locate themselves near fresh water. Rebuilding and renewing waterfronts is therefore a timeless activity as these places have been adapted to suit ever-changing economic, technological, political and environmental conditions. In the industrialization period, urban waterfronts became the hubs of commercial activity, manufacturing production and export/import trades. Rivers and canals were bounded by warehouses, factories and dock facilities; and the water itself often became polluted from adjacent uses. However, in the post-industrial period, transportation facilities, ports and industries were displaced from central urban locations, older warehousing became obsolescent, abandoned and neglected. In turn however, this provided an opportunity for rejuvenation, revitalisation, reclamation and the rebirth of ecological systems.