10 Principles for Sustainable Urban Waterfront Development

The 10 principles were approved during the world conference under the aegis of the United Nations Urban 21 and were drawn up at international seminars promoted by Wasserstadt GmbH, Berlin with the co-operation of the International Centre Cities on Water, Venice.

Principle 1 - Secure the quality of water and the environment
The quality of water in the system of streams, rivers, canals, lakes, bays and the sea is a prerequisite for all waterfront developments. The municipalities are responsible for the sustainable recovery of derelict banks and contaminated water.

Principle 2 - Waterfronts are part of the existing urban fabric
New waterfronts should be concieved as an integral part of the existing city and contribute to its vitality. Water is a part of the urban landscape and should be utilised for specific functions such as waterborne transport, entertainment and culture.

Principle 3 - The historic identity gives character
Collective heritage of water and city, of events, landmarks and nature should be utilised to give the waterfront redevelopment character and meaning. The preservation of the industrial past is an integral element of sustainable redevelopment.

Principle 4 - Mixed use is a priority
Waterfronts should celebrate the water by offering a diversity of cultural, commerical and housing uses. Those that require access to water should have priority. Housing neighbourhoods should be mixed both functionally and socially.

Principle 5 - Public access is a prerequisite
Waterfronts should be both physically and visually accessible for locals and tourists of all ages and income. Public spaces should constructed in high quality to allow intensive use. where it does not disturb work in progress.

Principle 6 - Planning in public private partnerships speeds the process
New waterfront developments should be planned in public private partnerships. Public authorities must guarantee the quality of the design, supply infrastructure, generate both a social equilibrium.
Private developers should be involved from the start to insure knowledge of the markets and to speed the development. The coordinators of complex waterfront developments must guarantee their long term economic, social and ecological success.

Principle 7 - Public participation is an element of sustainability
Cities should benefit from sustainable waterfront development not only in ecological and economical terms but also socially. The community should be informed and involved in discussions continuously from the start.

Principle 8 - Waterfronts are long term projects
Waterfronts need to be redeveloped step by step so the entire city can benefit from their potentials.
They are a challenge for more than one generation and need a variety of characters both in
architecture, public space and art. Public administration must give impulses on a political level to ensure that the objectives are realised independantly of economic cycles or short-term interests.

Principle 9 - Re-vitalisation is an ongoing process
All masterplaning must be based on the detailled analysis of the principle functions and meanings the waterfront concerned. Plans should be flexible, adapt to change and incorporate all relevant disciplines. To encourage a system of sustainable growth, the management and operation of waterfronts during the day and at night must have equal priority to building them.

Principle 10 - Waterfronts profit from international networking
The re-development of waterfronts is a highly complex task that involves professionals of many disciplines. The exchange of knowledge in an international network between contacts involved in waterfronts on different levels offers both individual support and information about the most important projects completed or underway. In September 2000 the International Centre Cities on Water, Venice, therefore will started WiN Waterfront international Network (www.waterfront-net.org) to enable worldwide dialogue.