European Waterfront Developments - Exemplar
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This page contains panoramas and further information and pictures of six European waterfronts - chosen because they illustrate well how different designs create popular places - or not:

  • Canary Wharf - London Docklands
  • Copenhagen waterfront regeneration
  • Downtown Hamburg waterfront
  • HafenCity docklands regeneration - Hamburg
  • Malmo dockland redevelopment - Sweden
  • Marine industry & Viking waterfront - Roskilde
These projects are of interest to Auckland, because public notification of the plan change relating to the Waterfront development at Wynyard Point is imminent. But who is it for? How popular will it be? Will it only be for those who can afford to live and work there? Auckland has a pretty poor track record. While urban design is partly to blame for these outcomes, many believe the major reason is the dominance of private interests over public benefit in the fundamental planning and political decisions taken at the start of these projects. Auckland’s public authorities have a poor track-record of adequately protecting and providing for public access and public attractions at Auckland’s waterfront. The Wynyard Point development is currently planned to "optimise profitability" while delivering a "world class waterfront development". But what is world class? These montages show how variable waterfront developments can be.

Canary Wharf, Docklands, London. Highlights include: the Dockland Rail; the public space; the major building investment; the Tube station.

Above: 150 degree view of the main public square within the Canary Wharf waterfront development of London Docklands. This project was mainly designed for the international finance industry. It has excellent PT access, high amenity - mainly for workforce & those who can afford to live there. Many local communities were uprooted to allow the development to go ahead. The development is characterised by very attractive urban infrastructure, it is highly walkable, but very expensive, and includes many inactive & “dead” water edges. There is little at the Canary Wharf development to attract people from outside. It is not a popular water front - but it has been very successful financially. WorldClass - but not for those who don't live or work there.
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Docklands Light Rail link from London Tube system, direct into heart of Docklands. Very attractive public square. Highly pedestrianised. Enjoyed by those who live and work in this environment. Tube station for Jubilee Line. Also connects through walkways to Light Rail system. Considerable provision of retail shopping below ground - beneath public square. All new buildings, tailor made for finance industry. These contain floor plates large enough for the kind of trading floors that are needed for finance markets, and which can't be built in London's old finance and banking centre. One of these is the HSBC building which recently changed hands for 1 billion sterling.
Typical waterfront edge, Copenhagen. Heritage buildings are used here for commercial uses. New residential development - complete with private boat moorings. Public edges are not activated at all - nothing much to do or see - so they are mostly deserted. Used by residents and occupants - but not popular or attractive to the general public. Click for more pics.

Above: 180 degree view of a section of Copenhagen Waterfront, near the city centre. For a city with a reputation as "pedestrian city" its waterfront was a disappointment. The above example was typical - elegant spaces - nice proportions - but largely empty of people. Many private buildings are built close to the waterfront without active edges. Private occupiers enjoy their boats being moored close by. There is an emphasis on architectural statements - case in point is Denmark's main bank HQ buildings. There is minimal use of ferry for public transport, and this reduces the ability of wateredge activation. Cars are often parked close to/at waterfront. Waterfront rarely a popular place. Pedestrians get a raw deal.



Down town waterfront of Hamburg. This is a very successful and popular public space. Exemplary youth provision. Popular market. Click for more pics.

150 degree view of downtown waterfront edge in Hamburg, Germany. This is a real “popular waterfront”. Behind the heritage building at the right hand end is space for a regular weekly market. There is a highly activated water edge - characterised by concessionary retail offerings (including beer, icecream, food, souvenirs, ferry tickets), and floating ferry wharves & bridges, with commuter ferries and tourist ferries. There is also significant provision of youth spaces.



New HafenCity waterfront in Hamburg. First stage of development (right) largely complete. Next stages - site works underway. Some public spaces built. Cruise ship port in operation.

160 degree view HafenCity dockland development, Hamburg, Germany. Underway now - to view partially completed section pan right. Mid frame: contaminated land being removed - peninsula area to be developed with residential. Whole area planned as “new city” for Hamburg with built for purpose office accommodation. It already has Hamburg’s most expensive housing. Considerable public concern about the risk of water edge privatisation. The public are curious about what is happening - perhaps the central streetscape - open to the wateredge - may bring a level of activation to the heart of HafenCity which will be popular.
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Currently developed area of HafenCity. Mixes the old and the new. But the risk is that the private will dominate the public. There appears little to attract local or tourist visitor to these waterfront edges. Click for more pics. Next area to be developed. Excavation of contaminated soil occuring. Peninsula to be fully developed in residential housing. Click for more pics. Objective is to make cruise ship visits a real visitor attraction.

Malmo Docklands regeneration project, Sweden. This is a favourite with Places4People. Public spaces include: sun; water views; activities to look at; active things to do; expansive public areas. Click for more pics.

160 degree view of one waterfront edge of the Malmo regeneration project at the southern end of Sweden. This project has featured as part of the world exhibition of the built environment. Key features include water sustainability and affordable housing. Places4People was interested in it because of its emphasis on popular public space provision. Great variety of types of public spaces. Especially for youth. We were also interested in its provision of a wild natural headland park.



Roskilde Waterfront - Denmark. There is another panorama you can click further along the walkway. Also the workshops to the right - click there for pics.

150 degree view of the marine waterfront development at Roskilde, Denmark. This panorama gives an idea of the mix of walkways, bridges, pathways and jetties used to moor Viking longboats - alongside a thriving marine industry for the local fishing fleet and private boats (see other panorama). When I visited I saw bus loads turning up to take the right sized LongBoat out into the Baltic - rowing first and then hauling up the sail. Then they went to the adjacent Viking Ship Museum. This is small city with a proud Viking Tradition it wants to protect, promote and develop as an attraction for tourists and locals alike.
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Workshops used for building Viking Long boats using traditional tools. Also used for interpretation. Click here for panscape here. This shows modern marine office block, modern marine industry, and cafe facilities.

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Joel Cayford email: mailto:joelc@kiwilink.co.nz