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Riverfront Development

Conference Paper · November 2016

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Theme: Framework for Riverfront Development

AIM: To formulate the framework for Riverfront development as a Socio-Interactive space.

OBJECTIVE:

 Explore network of public spaces that attract both citizens and tourist to riverfront.
 Identify the various needs of socio cultural response to recreational use .
 Identify issues and related problems of socio interactive spaces.
SCOPE OF THE STUDY:
A rational public space design for both social and ecological benefits, as well as integration of coastal
restoration construction.

LIMITATION:

 Inferences drawn will be on secondary references only.

 Limiting to a typology of socio interactive space for a riverfront.

METHODOLOGY:
A) LITERATURE REVIEW
1. Design Strategies (Riverfront Development – Kanakapura) by A.R.Alagarsamy, CEPT,
AHMADABAD & Analysis
2. Design Strategies (YAMUNA Riverfront development Zone ‘O’ by Mrs.Savita Bhandari,
Additional Commissioner, Landscape and Environmental Planning Deptt, DDA) & Analysis
B) DATA SYNTHESIS

 Riverfront as breathing space with meaningful socio interactive spaces

 Case studies of successful riverfronts with significant public open spaces:
Sabarmati, Ahmadabad
C) FINDINGS:

 Functions of Riverfront
D) PROPOSALS

 Issues & Constrains for public spaces on riverfront.

 Planning strategies for public spaces on riverfront.
E) CONCLUSIONS
F) REFERENCES
G) BIBLIOGRAPHY

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ABSTRACT: - People are drawn to water. Human interaction with water is foremost feature that calls
for riverfront development. People have a strong desire to feel it, reach it; and thus it becomes very
important that approach to water should be given, public space production along the river shore
should be primary purpose. This paper focused to develop a set of guidelines that contribute to the
establishment of socio interactive spaces at riverfront. Research will also explore on current riverfront
developments and notion of place identity and place making by the development of recreational
spaces. Different case studies and their analysis will provide the strategies of a successful riverfront
with meaningful socio interactive spaces. From the synthesis of findings a set of design attributes are
framed.
Keywords: Riverfront, socio interactive, environment, spaces
1. INTRODUCTION: “People in cities wants a riverfront as a place of public enjoyment. They
seek riverfront where there is enormous visual and physical eye catching sites remain all day
the throughout. People also want riverfront to serve many purposes and a place that
contributes to the quality of daily life in all of its aspect-economic ,social and cultural”

Riverfront Development (KANAKAPURA) REPORT

AUTHOR:A.R.Alagarsamy ,CEPT,AHMADABAD(M-PLAN STUDENT)
1.1 LITERATURE REVIEW- 1
AIM OF THE STUDY:-To improve the natural environment and support economic growth
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this report would be to transform riverfront of Kanakpura into a socio
interactive space equipped with certain facilities for entertainment and recreation to serve the city.
DESIGN STRATEGIES
 Creating multiple destinations, connecting destinations and optimizing public access so
riverfront is designed with walkways, recreational parks, and fountains etc. for interaction
purpose.
 Connecting public open spaces with a continuous riverfront trail to link destinations and serve
as a destination for walking, jogging and other related purposes.
 Constructing socio interactive spaces, for this the area is basically divided into six sections.

 Section1 lies in remote area so maximum area is utilized for agriculture purposes and creating
green belts with Walkways and open spaces added on the edge of this stream.
 Section 2 is the township of Kanakpura; where the significant element is its agriculture wells.
 Section 3 marks the convergence Point of River Arkavathi with River Suvarnamukhi.
Approximately 13% of this section is used as open spaces, 1% is for public place and the
remaining area is for agriculture land.
 Section 4 is categorized as major urban settlement with major public spaces as its limelight.
Proposal provided for this section is approximately 16% open spaces and 13%for public
spaces.
 Section 5 is developed in a well-planned manner. Community parks are provided in this
section. Exhibition Center, Roller Skaters Ground is the proposal for this section.
 Section 6 is the proposed site for Solid Waste and Sewage Treatment Plant.

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ANALYSIS

 Implementation of this riverfront projects was driven

towards investment needs rather than for recreational
needs like the sections involving agriculture lands
which is a beneficial part for the community.
 Alternate way of transportation to the road
infrastructure is provided through linkage of water.
 Public private partnership is exercised for creating
recreational spaces like community parks etc. for
commercial development.
 Handicraft markets are proposed to make the project
economically viable as well as beneficial for its user
group.
 All the aspects of riverfront development are possible only when water of the river is clean and
toxic wastage or sewerage water is not mixed with the river water.

YAMUNA Riverfront development Zone ‘O’ PROPOSAL

AUTHOR:-Mrs.Savita Bhandari,Additional Commissioner,

Landscape and Environmental Planning Deptt,DDA
1.2 Literature Review 2

PROPOSAL: YAMUNA Riverfront development1 Zone ‘O’ by Mrs.Savita Bhandari, Additional

Commissioner, Landscape and Environmental Planning Deptt, DDA
AIM OF THE STUDY: To conserve, protect and restore the Biodiversity of Yamuna River by Public
Recreation spaces that the city needs in framework of Zonal Development of Zone O.
OBJECTIVE: To reestablish the river’s eco system so that people start using river for commuting or
recreation purpose; to protect the people and city activities from the floods and havoc of river.
DESIGN STRATEGIES:

 Active recreational facilities go hand in hand with passive recreation.

 Connecting all three zones (Protective biodiversity zone, Interactive biodiversity zone, Public
recreational zone) with green linkage system, which act as wildlife movement corridor.

 Develop an active corridor for recreation and leisure by adopting the concept of mixed land
uses including Commercial, Residential and Institutional uses. These would house open
facilities like playgrounds, theme parks and would be treated as open recreational spaces that
can be used by public residing in the city.
 Introducing major concept as walk by treating it as showcase for the river.

1
Darshini Mahadevia: Inside the Transforming Urban Asia: Processes, Policies, and Public Actions
From labour to leisure: Transformation of Yamuna riverbed p404

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ANALYSIS

 Making the concrete riverfront like Ahmedabad would not be feasible here as Yamuna River is
extremely vulnerable to floods.
 This kind of riverfront development basically changes the ecological and social space of the
river altering it into an urban commercial space rather than a natural, cultural, social and
ecological landscape.
 The floodplains have been developed to make pathways and real estate commercial projects.
 The need to conserve the 52-km stretch of the Yamuna in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh as
‘conservation zone’ and restoring the river’s ecological functions is also stressed. This is
possible only by keeping a strict check on environmental flow that passes through this stretch,
especially in the lean season.
 The project involves developing infrastructural and recreational facilities like parks, Yoga
centers, picnic spots, golf course, sports centers, polo grounds, etc. on Yamuna plains.
 The project does not lay emphasis on sustaining, cleaning, and rejuvenation of the river.

2. DATA SYNTHESIS
“A riverfront is a significant resource and a challenging opportunity for a city; a chance to be an escape valve for the
pressure-cooker of crowded city life, a chance to be a bright, breathing edge of city living and can be achieved by
providing meaningful interactive spaces.”Arthur Cotton Moor

RIVERFRONT AS MEANINGFUL SOCIO INTERACTIVE SPACE

 The impact that public spaces on a riverfront have can be seen in an area’s
development in economy, people’s health, recreational & tourism activities.
 Promotes human contact and social activities. At riverfront such spaces establish
water’s edge that is continuous, publicly accessible and magnificent.

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 It utilizes city streets to create green corridors and provide valuable connections to
the riverfront.
 A continuous riverfront trail not only connects public open spaces but also links
destinations and serves as a platform for walking, jogging and other related
purposes.

2.1 CASE STUDY OF SUCCESSFUL RIVERFRONT WITH SIGNIFICANT SOCIO

INTERACTIVE SPACES
SABARMATI RIVER FRONT DEVELOPMENT, AHMADABAD CITY, INDIA
Aim of The study: SRFD Project has been conceptualized as an urban project to significantly
improve the habitat, structure and conditions of the river and adjoining areas.
Objectives: Social Infrastructure: it includes formation of public spaces, parks and provision
of socio-cultural facilities for the city.
Design Strategies: The Riverfront Development reclaims the Sabarmati2 banks publicly
accessible.
 The project has provided more than ten kilometers of continuous pedestrian
promenade on each bank and has also made public Ghats available for direct access
to the water.
 85% of riverfront land has been proposed for public infrastructure, recreational
parks, plazas, sports facilities, and gardens.
 Introduction of civic and cultural institutions like museums, exhibition spaces,
monuments, performance venues, has significantly enhanced the availability of civic
amenities.
 SRFD has also focused to upgrade iconic informal markets, and to create Vibrant
new spaces for Residents and Tourists.

EAST PROMENADE

WEST PROMENADE

KITE FLYING
KITE FLYING LOWER PROMENADE

2 Lambert M. Surhone, Miriam T. Timpledon Sabarmati Riverfront Development Project

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RIVER PROMENADE3

 A key element of the project is a new linear two-level PUBLIC WASHROOM

promenade. The lower promenade having a minimum
width of 10 meters lies just above the water level,
providing uninterrupted pedestrian access to the
BOATING STATIONS
water.
EAST PROMENADE
The upper promenade hosts a variety of public
buildings, cultural and educational institutions, public GHATS
WEST PROMONADE
parks and plazas and commercial development.

BOATING STATION

LOWER PROMONADE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

WALKWAY

PARKS & PLAZAS

 The project has used more than RIVERFRONT PARK

RIVERFRONT PARK
a quarter areas for creating FLOWER GARDEN
public spaces in the heart of AMUSEMENT
the city. PARK
 Elements include public PLAZA
parks and gardens to urban PLAZA
forests and shaded plazas
RIVERFRONT PARK
 The parks will help improve
livability in the neighborhoods and
also provide the city with much needed
green spaces and breathing space from the dense
built environment. Whereas the Plazas will provide public
places for social gatherings and informal activities.

CONTINUOUS SITTING

RIVERFRONT PARKS RIVERFRONT PARKS SUBHASH BRIDGE

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Advances in Landscape Architecture", by Murat Özyavuz , ISBN 978-953-51-1167-2, Published: July 1, 2013,Chapter 7
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STREETS
 The SRFD streets have been constructed to serve as effective movement conduits.
 The SRFD streets run parallel to the river on both banks thus providing continuous access
to the riverfront development.
 All SRFD streets have dedicated pedestrian paths with parking bays, cycle tracks and 6
m wide carriageways.

STREETS SPORTS ACTIVITY

SPORTS FACILITIES

Sports facilities will be SPORTS GROUND

beneficial keeping in
mind the location
and surrounding PALDI SPORTS
area. SHAHPUR SPORTS

AMENITIES RIVERFRONT MARKET EXHIBITION CENTRE

RIVERFRONT MARKET:
The market provides selected vending
areas with 1,641 vendor platforms, EVENTS GROUND
seating areas, paved walkways, food
streets, parking of vehicles and four
public washrooms. BOATING STATION

EXHIBITION CENTRE: the riverfront will host

trade-fair facilities to serve the business
community.
EVENTS GROUND: will offer venues for holding planned events of local and national importance.
LAUNDRY CAMPUS: provides facilities for the washing community as traditionally riverbanks were
used for laundering.
INTEGRATED OUTDOOR VENDING AREAS: Provision on all along the length of the project, will
accommodate street vendors so they too benefit from the project

EXHIBITION CENTRE EVENTS GROUND LAUNDARY SPACE

ANALYSIS:

 Riverfront development shouldn't be about just beauty and aesthetics but should address
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issues of environment and ecology.

 SRFD project focus is to create leisure and recreation but basically it is helping to replace a
dynamic living water system with a constant modern concrete canvas.
 The project will reduce the riverbed from a variable width of 600-300 m to a fixed width of
275m.
 Instead of concretizing the entire area, an option of both hard & soft land, some bricked
up and some left as an open expanse, which at times would be flooded and
occasionally dry and retained, would create an ever changing dynamic picture with the river
as the focal point.

PROMENADE
FLEA MARKET

3. KEY FINDINGS:

FUNCTIONS OF RIVERFRONT AS SOCIO INTERACTIVE BREATHING SPACE

Public space - Riverfronts are public spaces. The city people can use them for a variety of activities,
like a festive gathering place, a variety of recreation resources (active as well as passive) or for some
mixed use, be it residential, retail, a city landmark etc.

Recreation/Fitness - They could be used as space for cycling, jogging or other activities that require
open areas. It can also be utilized for some passive activities or fishing and boating are. These
activities will serve a threefold purpose – provide recreation, create a healthier environment and thus
keep people fit and healthy.

Tourism - Tourism improves the economic wealth of the city. The rejuvenated and re-energized
riverfronts will attract more visitors. Cities developed them as destinations to expand their tourism
industry.
DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIO INTERACTVE SPACE

Life Business Environment

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4. PROPOSAL FOR PUBLIC SPACE:

4.1) KEY ISSUES FOR RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT ARE:

History and Location – Each riverfront comes with a different context and history. Historic buildings
can be restored; forms can be achieved by using various historical as well as from architectural
features and can be thus used symbolically as signage, sculpture etc.
Environmental issues –Socio Interactive areas demands huge amount of construction and
accommodating greater number of people on the site led to environmental issue Interaction with the
river has become important for planning of sustainable development. This can be tackled by
selecting the heights, materials used for building, native plants for landscaping, reusing
disturbed areas and building within the context.

Public Accessibility - People are drawn to water. Human interaction with water is foremost feature
that calls for riverfront development. People have a strong desire to feel it, reach it; and thus it
becomes very important that accessibility to water should be given. To achieve these objective
walkways, trails and benches are provided as they give people a opportunity to be either in the river
or near it. An effective or fruitful riverfront having active use can be achieved if multiple entry points to
the river are available.

Walkways are important as they define the movement pattern on the site. They are also
physical pedestrian linkages between different parts of the site.

Visual connectivity - The building layouts and structures should be designed in a way so as to
not block views of the river. The presence and view of the river from various locations on the site
not only help in achieving a successful project but also help in developing the surroundings

Riverfront Use – Newer developments should be done keeping in mind the ongoing activities like
repair yards, boating, fishing etc. as these traditional activities provide a character to the river. New
activities should be incorporated to have a fresh mix of tasks which can attract tourists as well as
regular crowd.

FISHING ACTIVITY LIABILITY TOWARDS RIVERFRONT BANK STABILIZATION

Liability - Building constructed near water can pose a major risk for people. Certain liabilities like
falling in the river while using walkways that have no railing, drowning etc. come with the package.

Education / Interpretation – Traditionally, most of the cities have been known to have a river.
Riverfront redevelopment is a great way of educating the residents and visitors about the
city’s cultural heritage. Restoring old structures to new uses like museums or the river edge itself
also offers a way for bringing people closer to natural sites

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4.2) PLANNING STRATEGIES OF SOCIO INTERACTIVE SPACES AT RIVERFRONT:

DESIGN STRATEGIES DESIGN GUIDELINES DESIGN ILLUSTRATIONS

ASPECT

Physical Physical access to Dedicated, safe and interesting

Access the riverfront pedestrians and bicycle routes
improved via key
access points.

Spatial and Reconfiguration of Continue existing routes to the

ACCESSIBILITY

visual access nodes and riverfront and control building setbacks

connections and height in proximity of the river.
improve the semi-
lattice like structure
of the city.

Vertical Vertical access Steps and ramps

Access points integrated
with water taxi
stops distributed
along the riverfront
at key points.

Connectivity Connectivity to, Connectivity may be lateral,

along and cross the longitudinal or vertical achieved by
river. paths, bridges and types of gradients.

Corridor Ensure path The promenade along the river must

CONNECTIVITY

continuity continuity along the be publically accessible at all times

river to achieve an and building along the river must be
ideal situation. setback sufficiently to accommodate
the flow of people.

Vistas De cluttering and Enhancing key routes to the riverfront

enhancing existing with sufficient footpath width and
routes to the uncluttered roads with clear views to
riverfront. the river

Greenways Strategic planting Planning new boulevards and green

of trees and new spaces to improve the open space
green spaces network.

Landmarks Developed a Locate landmarks at strategic and focal

ASPECT
OTHER

landmark typology points where required that they may be

in terms of major noticed by people from near and far to
S

and minor. suit different scales.

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[RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMETNT] 1

Amenity Diversity of uses Allot suitable land uses to infill

developments considering adjacent
land uses.

Character Maintain and Local identity, elements should be in

and identity enhance local the form of architectural details,
character sculptures etc.

5. CONCLUSION

The framework required for a successful riverfront should have:

 Multiple activities in different zones along riverfront. All the sectors of urban activities
(economic-productive, residential, pertaining to culture and leisure, mobility), should be
properly mixed
 River front should be developed keeping in mind previous and original uses for these zones
with the purpose of keeping alive the memory of such unusual aspects, and preserving old
identity of these places.
 A road map of all routes that facilitate and develop interaction between different activities
rather than separating them.
 The side by side development of ‘public and private’ is referring to functions (government
offices, museums etc), spaces (plazas, roads, parks etc) and the actors managing the
services on the riverfront.

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