What makes a great waterfront? What are the design principles? And what can Cleveland learn from successful waterfronts around the country?

The following are five common elements of successful waterfronts, distilled from the design elements of vibrant waterfront districts in cities from Pittsburgh (photo right) to Vancouver.

Access

• Contact with water
• Continuous public space at the edge
• Open and green
• Connections to the urban core & neighborhoods
• Multi-modal
• Welcoming to all

Quality of Amenities, Activities & Design

• Continuity of design elements
• Quality of construction, materials, maintenance
• Comfort, safety
• Place specific
• Variety

Economic Development

• Water is the attraction
• Built for local residents
• Integration of public and private
• Mixed use
• Housing
• Maximize the edge
• Eco-tourism

Environmental Quality

• Work with nature
• Restore ecological functions
• Diversity of native species
• Habitat restoration
• Improve water quality
• Natural areas
• Green building practices
• Integrate interpretation
• Reduce noise and visual pollution

Public Process

• Informed involvement
• Open/transparent/clear
• Alternatives evaluation
• Stimulates imaginative thinking
• Willingness to experiment and take risks
• Cultivates sense of ownership & pride

From “Best Practices for Urban Waterfronts”, a presentation by the BLUE Project of EcoCity Cleveland and the Cleveland Waterfront Coalition, May 2003.