Brooklyn is not a great waterfront city on anyone's list. There is no vision, standout amenities, or significant destinations. Except for the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and Jane's Carousel which are landmarks that people marvel at. There is little at the waterfront to draw people in, especially compared to other great waterfronts around the world. The Brooklyn Marine Terminal Plan attempts to work on this underperforming waterfront, yet the proposal it lays out threatens to make it even worse. We can't let this happen.
Some people may look at the Brooklyn waterfront and see nothing wrong, because NYC as a whole does not offer much better examples. So in order to illustrate the issues we see, we have reviewed waterfronts from around the world that we have personally worked on or know well. We have picked a few that we think show what is wrong with the current Brooklyn Marine Terminal proposal. These examples also carry lessons and inspiration for how to create a better waterfront in Brooklyn that everyone can cherish.
We are the founders of the global Placemaking Movement which is now in over 30 countries around the world. Together with local leaders, we have spent the past 50 years working with communities to create better public places. We live in Brooklyn and love our city, but we believe there is a lot of untapped potential here and too many underperforming areas, such as our waterfront.
Fred Kent
Fred Kent
As we studied our records of various other waterfront examples, we were stunned at how bad the proposal for the Brooklyn waterfront is in comparison to them.
As you go through the examples from around the world yourself, you will probably feel like we do. You may ask yourself – what is happening in Brooklyn? How could a city come up with a waterfront vision that is this unimpressive and incompatible with the character of the community? Brooklyn can do better and the Brooklyn community deserves better.
A Look at Other Waterfronts
Takeaways From our Global Waterfront Assessment
- There are so many exceptional waterfront cities around the world and unfortunately, New York City is not one of them.
- No one comes to New York to see the waterfronts because there are no defining reasons to do so except for several high profile landmarks like the Statue of Liberty that people want to photograph.
- None of the cities we looked at had clusters of high-rises even close to the height and sterile design as what has been proposed for Brooklyn Marine Terminal. This is because such developments often kill the charm, character, and accessibility of the waterfront.
- No other city is so ill-advised as to use their most important natural asset, their waterfront, for a development that adds nothing of value and that actually detracts value from the surrounding communities.
- Many of the best waterfronts are intricately integrated into the city centers, including historic centers.
- Waterfronts define a city in many ways. They add another dimension that takes the city beyond its boundary, they connect city dwellers with nature and add richness to the urban fabric. They are a treasure for cities that must be highlighted.
- The best cities are defined by their waterfront which acts as a key landmark and important public space.
- Many waterfronts have markets happening weekly and other regular events that draw in crowds.
High-Rises at the Waterfront?
We have been looking for examples of cities where high-rise residential areas are part of waterfront developments, what impact they have on public use of the waterfront and how it relates to close by neighborhoods and their access to the water.
A second issue we are considering is the impact a development might have on traffic in communities and along the waterfront.
We found only one notable example, Brisbane, that had high-rise towers on or near the waterfront. Their approach was revolutionary, but their buildings were far fewer, spaced in a way so that the public spaces between them created strong centers of public use. They made it work because they took the space around the footprint of a few buildings and created large waterfront destinations that everyone could enjoy.
What sets Brisbane apart from other cities is that they place a very high value on activating the ground level. As you can see, the towers are also placed quite far apart so as to give the public spaces at the ground level a greater visibility and much better and more diverse uses. The towers are set back from the waterfront to allow smaller scale activities to not be overshadowed.
A few high-rise buildings are open at the bottom, creating expanded public spaces with towers above them.
So can higher density work at the waterfront? There are a few situations in which it can. Akker Brigge in Oslo has a development with eight-story residential mid-rise buildings, but they also have very wide walkways that are used for pedestrian-only public spaces. Higher density works here because the width/height ratio of public space to buildings is balanced.
Other than those special situations, it is clear that putting clusters of high-rise buildings by the water is a mistake. It creates a wall between the water and surrounding communities, blocks views and access, often obstructs sunlight, and takes away from the charm of the waterfront itself because these oversized buildings loom over people with generic modern facades that carry no appeal.
Having such clusters of tall buildings at the water in Brooklyn would have a serious negative impact on all communities in our adjoining neighborhoods. So what actions do we need to take to make sure this development does not happen in its current form? By reviewing waterfront developments that work we can come up with a plan that is much more fitting for the context of the Brooklyn waterfront and its adjacent communities.
We need a solution that will lead to a waterfront that all of Brooklyn can cherish. Surrounding neighborhoods can lead a united effort to create a series of distinct destinations with a vision for a waterfront where everyone would feel welcome.
Exploring The Best Waterfronts
The waterfronts on this list are dynamic, organic, multi-use, and adapt to people's needs and wants over time. Those that draw on history are the best.
Venice
In Venice there are hardly any streets in the sense we're most familiar with– instead, canals transport people around the city. Water weaves throughout the city and defines it in every aspect. In a way, the whole city is a waterfront.
More from Brisbane
Brisbane's South Bank and Greenhouse Event Space, part of the Howard Smith Wharves, all lie along the Brisbane River. These spaces demonstrate myriad ways to provide shade, featuring promenades with well-cared-for trees, suspended planters, and sheltered indoor-outdoor areas with seating. Some areas are also unpaved, which can reduce the temperature of an area that might otherwise feature hot asphalt surfaces.
Residential Towers
South Bank Waterfront
Other Waterfront Destinations
Howard Smith Wharves — Greenhouse Event Space
Halifax
Halifax has a very strong example of a waterfront that is scaled to a human/walking scale with a full range of public uses that can attract large numbers of people year-round.
A Global Placemaking Hub
A city defined by markets
Working Waterfront Market
Hong Kong
Hong Kong has a lot of waterfronts throughout the city, but a small part is easily accessible because of the high-rise developments that dominate the waterfront and block its connection to communities.
Because high-rises dominate the space, the waterfront promenade had to be build out on the water, disconnected from the city.
Paris
The Paris waterfront feels like a series of unique people-friendly destinations with no residential or high rise buildings to overwhelm the area with impersonal concrete, glass and shadow. It feels like a set of vibrant rooms rather than a barren corridor like Hong Kong's disconnected walkway.
Fred Kent
Bassin de la Villette
Fred Kent
Porto
Porto has a magnificent waterfront that cascades down to the water, affording views from multiple levels. It also has multiple levels for public use along the main promenade. Access is through corridors that create active destinations along the water. It is certainly one of the best waterfronts we've seen. It is the antithesis of what we have been given for the Brooklyn Waterfront plan.
Temporary restaurants
London South Bank
London South Bank had a remarkable transformation from what was originally a very limited waterfront. It has been totally transformed by connecting the different destinations into one where the result, via a connecting promenade, has become one of the best in the world.
Promenade
Fred Kent
Gabriel's Wharf
Fred Kent
Borough Market
This is one of the best markets in the world. Together with the other destinations, it makes London's South Bank one of the most dynamic waterfronts out there.
Fred KentLondon - Canary Wharf
Another example in London shows once again the failure of modern design. The generic high-rises here create a soulless, boring environment that does not attract people or activity.
Barcelona - Main Waterfront
Barcelona has a very long stretch of the Mediterranean Sea, but relatively few parts are effective examples of what a city needs at its waterfront.
Park Del Mar
A modern residential development in the northeastern part of the city again shows how generic modern architecture drains a city of beauty, value, and appeal.
George Semler
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is a "mixed bag" of very special local activations and truly awful architecture with a few iconic buildings sprinkled in. People love to spend time along the water on warm days, even inside the water, but the buildings around the area leave much to be desired.
Copenhagen's high-end architecture that dominates the public waterfront where people like to spend time feels very out of place.
Opera House
Stockholm, Sweden
A row of eight story mid-rise residential buildings and hotels here are comfortably set back from the water with a streetcar and limited access road.
Cape Town, South Africa
Cape town is a major attraction as well as a working waterfront. A Ferris wheel, multi-leveled dining and shopping areas, and vibrant squares make it a place people love to hang out at.
Helsinki, Finland
Otranto, Italy
One of the best cities to promenade around. Everyone loves to come out for a stroll on lazy Sundays.
Chicago's Navy Pier
Bergen, Norway
Oslo, Norway
An example of a mid-rise city development that works well because of the size of the sidewalks.
Stavanger, Norway
The residential towers outside of the downtown don't reflect the historic character of the city.
San Francisco, California
Access along the waterfront
Low-rise buildings by the waterfront
Sydney, Australia
Miami Beach, Florida
With Art Deco buildings lining Ocean Drive on one side and a park and beach on the other, Ocean Drive in Miami Beach is a place to see and be seen as traffic creeps along the busy thoroughfare. Most of the Art Deco hotels that face Ocean Drive have porches to view the passing visitors.
Porches
Building scale
Venice Beach, Los Angeles
Granville Island in Vancouver
High-rise buildings on the mainland
Granville Map
Dubai Creek
Istanbul, Turkey
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Train Station Plaza
Main Street
Main waterfront on historic side
Corners
Main Canals
High-Rise Main Waterfront
Modern buildings do not have the appeal that more historic buildings do.
San Diego, California
Seaport Village
Boston, Massachusetts
Bilbao, Spain
The only attraction here is the museum and a passive park. More can be done to activate this space.
Small Town, UK
We can't remember what the name of this lovely English town is, but it is along the south coast of the UK. We liked the scale with different levels along the water.
San Sebastian, Spain
With some buildings having 10 stories, this waterfront seems the right size because of the layers of uses along the entire promenade.
Monte Carlo
There are no towers on the waterfront but it has a dynamic base. All buildings have a view of the waterfront.
"The radical energy of placemaking is that the authority to catalyze change comes not from credentials, but rather from proximity, lived experience, and a deep commitment to place. Placemaking knows no party, but most importantly, placemaking comes from a place of love—a combination of affection and respect that we believe precedes other aspects of expertise or power." – Tracy Hadden Loh and Hanna Love, Brookings Metro's Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Center for Transformative Placemaking
Resource Guides
Fred Kent
Fred Kent
Fred Kent
Fred Kent
Who We Are
We are part of a growing group of community activists who have spent over 50 years building a Placemaking Movement globally that is now in over 30 countries around the world.
We love to observe and understand how cities and communities around the world work and what makes them thrive. We have spent the last 50+ years exploring places in every kind of setting on every continent and helping communities create better public places.
We have a small foundation that we started 5 years ago to share our work. Project for Public Spaces, Social Life Project, and PlacemakingX are the three organizations we started. They are at the forefront of the Global Placemaking Movement.
