Waterfront Renewal in Metropolitan Areas

Cities in the United States frequently turn their backs to the water. Many of our urban waterfronts are blighted because of age and conditions unique to their location, such as vulnerability to flooding or surface water pollution. A range of actions, from simple clean-up to full scale clearance and relocation, can be used to fight waterfront deterioration. Metropolitan and basin-wide approaches are needed because frequently an individual city cannot control what happens upstream or on the other side of a river. Federal urban renewal programs help to reduce the local cost. In a metropolitan waterfront renewal program the engineer must determine the condition of all shore line and the costs of repairing or replacing it. New uses can be found for old waterfront structures. Altering the amount of shore line; providing open space and access; reducing flood and storm damage; and renewing for navigational, waterfront industrial and recreational uses are also discussed.