AP 350
LANSCAPE
ARCHITECTURE
RIVER FRONT
SUBMITTED BY
DEEPANJIT
CHAUDHURI
DEFINITION
RIVERFRONT
“In general, a riverfront is the zone of interaction between
urban development’s and the water and a riverfront area is
considered as a unique and irreplaceable resource where it is
the interface between land, water, air, sun and productive
plants. Moreover, the riverfront is characterized as a place
integrating land with water and having a natural attraction
to people
WATERFRONT AS PUBLIC SPACE
A public space may be a gathering spot or part of a neighborhood, downtown, special district, waterfront,
or other area within the public realm that helps promote social interaction and a sense of community.
trend of water front development
CHARACTERISTICS OF WATERFRONT AS SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF RIVERFRONT
PUBLIC SPACE
Dynamic area- Riverfront zone is a dynamic area
Establish a water’s edge that is continuous, with frequently changing biological, chemical and
publicly accessible and magnificent. general attributes
Create a network of public spaces that attract
and invite both localities and tourists to Habitat- Riverfront zone include highly productive
riverfront. and biologically diverse ecosystems that offer crucial
Require design excellence for riverfront public nursery for many species
spaces. Provide a wide-range of public spaces
that foster culture and creativity in our city. Natural defense- Riverfront zone features such as
Ensure all public spaces adhere to a high mangrove forests serves a critical natural defense
environmental standard. against natural hazards
Strengthen connections along the riverfront on
both sides of the river. Pollution moderator- Water ecosystem may act to
Improve the aquatic habitat and water quality reduce impacts of pollutions originating from land
along the riverfront and integrate them with river such as wetland absorbing excess nutrients ,
and stream improvements sediments, human waste.
TYPES OF WATERFRONTS:
The Public Waterfront
The Natural Waterfront
The Natural Waterfront, comprising beaches, The Public Waterfront, including parks, esplanades,
wetlands, wildlife habitats, sensitive ecosystems and piers, street ends, vistas and waterways that offer
the water itself. public open spaces and waterfront views.
The Working Waterfront The Redeveloping Waterfront
The Working Waterfront, where water dependent, The Redeveloping Waterfront, where land uses have
maritime and industrial uses cluster or where recently changed or where vacant and underutilized
various transportation and municipal facilities are properties suggest potential for beneficial change.
dispersed
ADVANTAGES & BENEFITS OF RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT
With the development of riverfront there would be creation of jobs in developing the front, jobs as it gives
way to starting up of a host of commercial activities in that region and also indirect job creation
associated with the set of activities.
Source of revenue for government – government would be able to earn revenue in terms of taxes from the
commercial activities in the region. The commercial activities include shops, restaurants, sport activities,
transportation, boating etc.
Development of tourism in the region – with the development of riverfront the tourism in the region can
be increased by offering a variety of attractions like water sports, entertainment arenas, parks, shopping
areas, etc.
Economic spin-off’s – rise in the value of properties in and around the region, acting as a catalyst for
redevelopment and renewal of nearby places
Habitat protection and restoration Conservation of water in the river Human/Environmental connections
• Conservation and development of land • Conservation of flora and fauna
Maintenance of river bank.
Water conservation practices - Development of projects would ensure a proper design of projects in
conserving river and maintenance of rivers flowing through large cities.
Beautification of the riverfront with a natural outlook will provide the general public with an open space
for leisure and recreation.
Providing employment opportunities for nearby people and helping in development of region.
Encouraging recreational activities like walking, jogging, biking, sports activities, etc.
ELEMENTS OF SUCCESSFUL WATERFRONT
DEVELOPMENT
2. Protection and enhancement of the natural
environment
Documenting the ecological state of the
riverfronts in order to preserve this
environmentally diverse natural habitat.
Preventing and, where possible, eliminating
inappropriate uses and practices from the rivers’
edge.
Protecting existing natural areas from
development.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES FOR RIVERFRONT
DEVELOPMENT
[Link], linear riverfront development with 3. Reclaim the city’s identity as one of the best
broad public access water cities
Encouraging the use of the greenway as a daily Raising public expectations of what the city’s
commuter path and recreational amenity. riverfront offers.
Demonstrating the connection between access, Attracting people, investment and the best
greenway development and market demand. aspects of urban living to the riverfront..
Creating a coherent, visually pleasing order to the
water’s edge
TEN PRINCIPLES FOR A SUSTAINABLE WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT
In the context of the initiatives for the Global Conference on the Planning in public private partnerships speeds the
Urban Future (URBAN 21) held in Berlin in July 2000, 10 process
Principles for a Sustainable Development of Urban Waterfront
Areas were approved. waterfront developments should be planned in
public private partnerships. Public authorities must
Secure the quality of water and the environment guarantee the quality of the design, supply
Waterfronts are part of the existing urban fabric infrastructure and generate social equilibrium.
New waterfronts should be conceived as an integral Public participation is an element of sustainability
part of the existing city and contribute to its vitality. Cities should benefit from sustainable waterfront
The historic identity gives character development not only in ecological and economical
Collective heritage of water and city, of events, terms but also socially.
landmarks and nature should be utilized to give
the waterfront redevelopment character and
meaning Waterfronts are long term projects
Mixed use is a priority
Re-vitalization is an ongoing process Waterfronts need to be redeveloped step by step so
All master planning must be based on the detailed the entire city can benefit from their potentials.
analysis of the principle functions and. Plans should
Waterfronts profit from international networking
be flexible, adapt to change and incorporate all The exchange of knowledge in an international
relevant disciplines. network between contacts involved in waterfronts
on different levels offers both individual support
Public access is a prerequisite and information about the most important projects
Waterfronts should be both physically and visually completed or underway.
accessible for locals and tourists of all ages and
income
CRITERIA FOR GUIDELINES OF RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT
River as a main attraction of development Level of river flow
According to the guideline, for any reason, river’s According to the guideline, a development close to
role is remaining as a main attraction for the river areas would not increase level of river flow.
development. Development are more than 10 ha are required to
River itself must be developed earlier than any build retention pond with maximum area
others development planning. approximately between 3-5% of total development
Removal and changing river line or row are not area.
permitted.
Beautification of river reserves
According to the guideline, developers are required
to provide recreation and beautification plan for
river.
Maintaining river reserve as a buffer zone to
control environmental problem such as soil
erosion.
Utilization river reserve for green areas and
recreationalof
Development use are allowed
permanent to the developers
infrastructure
According to the guideline, the development of
permanent building and infrastructure are not
allowed within river and river reserves, unless
facilities for recreational purposes such as
playground.
CASE STUDY:
KUTCHING RIVERFRONT: MALAYSIA
The main objective of this development proposal is
to strengthen the commercial and recreational
activities which reflects character, social, culture &
identity of the place.
The design considers visual character and quality
of the place as a riverside marketplace.
Social and cultural events and festivals as well as
history and architecture of the place are the
important aspects of the design.
Figure: kutching river front
Characteristics of the River front Area
Name of water body Sarawak River
Type of project Recreational
Project’s owner State of Sarawak
Amenities Shops, Riverfront
Views ttl views
River t and City
Proximity to River 50 M
Proximity to CBD 1 KM
FINANCIAL SOURCES: Fully funded by the State Government
INSTITUTIONAL: The master plan of the project implementation was
prepared by SEDC and Land
CONSTRUCTION PERIOD: Began in 1991 & Completed in August
1993
DEVELOPMENT AREA: Approximately one mile along the south
bank of the river, encompassing the river
DEVELOPER: Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC),
Sarawak, Malaysia
PROJECT COST: 89.90 Million (Malaysian Ringgit)
CONCEPT:
An urban river park that blends the historical and cultural setting with
the provision of facilities and activities for tourists and the
community, particular families.
Possible features to be considered as follows: Esplanade / pedestrian
links, Malls Entertainment area. Family outing areas and children’s
playground.
Tourist attraction areas and Possible center for river cruise.
LANDUSE AROUND RIVERFRONT AREA IN KUTCHING:
Figure- land use plan kutching
Kutching’s Riverfront is a significant commercial area where trading activities concentrated along main
Bazar and Gambier Street areas on the south bank, with the Astana and Malay villages around it on the
north bank of Sarawak River.
The marketplace serves as public realm that displays local characters and help to promote the place to
outsider
The Kutching Riverfront is an approximately 1 kilometer long riverside esplanade stretching from the main
area and commercial heartland of the city to downtown Kutching.
River steps create opportunities for river activities as well as closeness to the river’s edge.
The landscaped riverfront is dotted with food stalls, restaurants and benches and offers excellent views of
Historical & Administrative Buildings on the bank of River Sarawak.
The riverfront also features an observation tower, an open-air theater and musical fountains.
The Kutching Civic Center offers a panoramic view of the city from a viewing platform during the day.
Figure: Satelite view
STRATEGIES
The design concept is festive market which represents the
positive cultural traits, trading activities for seasonal and
diurnal times displaying a variety of daily and local
products in the colonial buildings, Chinese shop houses
and also the new amenities provided.
In addition, the extension bridges enclosed the jetty that
served as viewing platform and linkage to the promenade.
This project will revitalize the riverfront, enhance the
quality of life and meet the demand of healthy
environment for public involvement. To achieve a linkage
between the city to the River, at the same time reinforcing
Sarawak’s heritage and culture via integrating traditions
and technologies.
Square tower, Darul hana Musical fountain, Sarawak state legislative
bridge, River steps, Open assembly
walkway, Kuching waterfront
bazaar, Heritage clay craft,
Memorial park
Restaurant
Waterfront cruise, Park, Walkway through the
Sarawak traditional boat river
cruise, Meeting point,
Walkway
THANK YOU!!!
