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7 Great Resources to Turn Your Waterfront Around

Industry still dominates many waterfront cities- but change is coming (Flickr photo by Sweethardt)

As PPS gears up to host its Waterfronts Synopsis Conference next month on sustainability and Placemaking in Stavanger, Norway (Sept. 15-17),  waterfronts have been on our mind.   In today's evolving economy, many urban waterfronts have recently been liberated from heavy industrial uses and are on the verge of transformation. Often a central and beautiful part of any metropolis, urban waterfronts have enormous potential to provide an identity to cities and to host activities that attract diverse groups of visitors.

PPS pulled together seven great resources to help Placemakers everywhere turn their waterfronts around:

1. The Waterfront Renaissance Waterfronts are inextricably linked to the identity and vitality of cities. As many cities rediscover their roots on the river, lake or sea, we have a remarkable opportunity to create a new generation of great public spaces.

2. How to Transform a Waterfront As more cities envision their waterfronts as lively public destinations that keep people coming back, PPS outlines the following 13 principles to make that happen.

3. The Waterfront Hall of Shame Most of the world's great cities boast exciting waterfront settings, yet have blown the opportunity to create lively public destinations where people will naturally want to gather.

Waterfronts thrive when they keep people coming back, like this promenade in Venice, Italy

4. Nine Steps to Creating A Great Waterfront Guidelines to help you avoid common mistakes and make your waterfront shine.

5. Ten Qualities of a Great Waterfront Look at your waterfront development with fresh eyes.  Which of these qualities is it missing?

6. Putting Our Jobs Back in Place Authentic development along waterfronts can spur economic revitalization and create lasting jobs.

7. Great Waterfronts of the World:  A truly great urban waterfront is hard to come by.  PPS staff has examined more than 200 urban waterfronts around the world, here are a few dozen of the best.

We hope you'll join us in Norway to meet pioneering Placemakers like Eric Reynolds and others as they share stories  at the upcoming Waterfronts Synopsis Conference in Norway next month.