FUNCTION OF WATER AS A DESIGN ELEMENT

Clearly the most important and the most obvious function of water for city development is sustaining life in the city. The continued existence of the city depends upon an adequate supply of potable drink- ing water together with water for industrial and

of the overindulgent use of this not inexhaustible

agricultural purposes. It is not the intention here to

resource could seriously affect water tables and

discuss this aspect of the subject; nevertheless, it is

water courses in and around the world’s great cities.

apparent that the consumption of water to sustain

Developing a civilized and balanced strategy for the

large urban centres is expanding at an alarming rate.

design of water areas in cities may require a more

It may be some comfort to know that, in Britain,

frugal attitude to the use of this most vital of the

our own domestic, industrial and agricultural use of

earth’s resources. The attitudes and values necessary

water, though wasteful, compares favourably with

for sustainable development and a ‘greener city’ are

other developed countries. In global terms the result

discussed more fully in Urban Design: Green

URBAN DESIGN: STREET AND SQUARE

Figure 6.4 The Landing

Dimensions . 4 Since the book’s publication in 1996

Stage, The Pier Head,

there have been a number of alarming reports and

Liverpool

political decisions, particularly in the United States

Figure 6.5 The Grand

of America, which taken together, paint a bleak

Canal, Venice

future for Planet Earth. The Global Environmental

Figure 6.6 Amsterdam

Outlook , compiled by the UN, prepared by 1,100

scientists charts the environmental degradation of the last 30 years and looks forward to how the world might appear in 2032. The report estimates that unless cultures change their current ‘markets first’ approach to development, then more than half the world will be affected by water shortages, with

95 per cent of people in the Middle East and 65 per cent of people in Africa and the Pacific, having severe problems. 5

Many towns and cities owe their existence to water, developing around a port or being located at a major crossing point on a navigable river. The water frontage became the focus of commerce, industry and transport. ‘The rapid decline of traditional industry

over the last 30 years together with technological change has released large areas of land for redevelop-

however, depends upon finding new uses for the land

ment. This has made it possible to re-use waterside

and buildings adjacent to the water frontage. More

locations to promote regeneration.’ 6 Regeneration,

importantly, it also means finding a new function for

SEAFRONT, RIVER AND CANAL

the water itself which may provide the impetus or raison d’être for regeneration. Regeneration of the water frontage may indeed derive from an older or former use being given new emphasis or direction.

The traditional function for the water frontage is one associated with the transportation of goods and people. The movement of goods by water transport has decreased significantly since the heyday of the canal in the nineteenth century; nevertheless, it remains an important function of many inland water- ways and port cities. Water transport, where it is still operating, adds colour and life to the canal as in the cities of Bruges, Venice and Amsterdam or to the harbour of many great sea ports (Figures 6.4 to 6.6). Clearly the movement of people to and from work and for other city journeys is and will remain largely land based. The relative ease of building bridges and tunnels connecting opposite banks of major cities has reduced the need for and the use of ferry crossings. The use of the ferry in cities such as Hong Kong, Auckland, or in Britain at Southampton

the public, and, along with rowing, canoeing and

Figure 6.7 Black Country

and Liverpool, illustrate the potential for this form

power-boating, generate on-shore activities. Shops

Development Corporation

of urban transport. It endows the city waterfront

associated with fishing including fish sales and

Area

with life and movement, an opportunity which can

aquaria, and museums such as the Maritime Museum

be seized by retaining and developing public and

in Liverpool, may also thrive from close proximity

private water transport.

to water and the activity it can generate. For leisure

The development of leisure activities holds out a

activities to be successful, ‘A company or group of

viable prospect for the regeneration of redundant

companies have to be persuaded to create a

docks and for sites along canals and rivers. Such

complex leisure business which is large and exciting

activities associated with disused water frontages are

enough to be an attraction . . . and if it is not well-

becoming popular for leisure users. ‘A direct view

designed and well-managed it may never succeed

of water from the window or terrace of an hotel,

. . . So the waterfront leisure zones have to be

restaurant or pub adds to its attractiveness and

managed and must be large and busy enough for

hence value. The light is better, and often reflected

this to be worthwhile.’ 8 The days, however, of the

upwards; the surface is changeable; there is little or

large single-use zone are no longer appropriate. The

no traffic. One may have a more distant view, or

movement towards sustainable development

the glimpse of people in boats.’ 7 There are,

together with ideas about making all parts of the

however, many leisure pursuits which can only be

city interesting and lively indicate the adoption of a

associated with a waterfront. These specific leisure

policy of mixed uses for urban areas. Therefore the

pursuits requiring location close to a waterfront

notion that leisure alone can regenerate redundant

include pleasure cruising, boating and fishing.

docklands is an idea requiring some qualification.

Marinas and other facilities which serve this expand-

Regeneration of waterfronts is more likely to be

ing water industry are in themselves attractions for

successful if a policy is adopted which plans for the

URBAN DESIGN: STREET AND SQUARE

Figure 6.8 Residential Development, Birmingham Canal Figure 6.9 Marina, Nottingham Canal

6.8 6.9 Figure 6.10 Evening Post

introduction of a group of compatible and mutually

Building, Nottingham Canal

supportive uses. A function of water not so far considered is its aesthetic appeal. It is a most attrac- tive setting for residential purposes. A number of recent waterside developments have introduced housing fronting onto canals and former industrial docks. Tividale Quays, West Bromwich is an interesting development of this type. The Black Country Development Corporation, now disbanded, was charged, in 1987 when it was set up, with the regeneration of a swathe of land, 25 square kilometres in extent, ranging from Darleston in the north down to

Langley in the south. 9 The task included the upgrad- ing of the Black Country canals. Part of this canal improvement included the development of groups of residential properties designed as frontages along the canal; the one at Tividale encloses a large water mass (Figures 6.7 and 6.8).

The regeneration of rundown and under used sites adjacent to the Nottingham Canal is a good example of successful mixed use development. Twenty years ago the banks of the Nottingham Canal were derelict, dirty, an unpleasant eyesore in the city. Since then a whole series of developments has been built including housing, a marina, museum, shopping, office developments, the prestigious Inland Revenue Building by Michael Hopkins and Partners, several courts and a leisure complex with

bars, pubs, and restaurants. The length of the canal 6.10

SEAFRONT, RIVER AND CANAL

nature conservation objectives.’ 11 Being aware of this

Figure 6.11 Rehabilitated

potential clash of interests between development

Warehouse, Nottingham

objectives and environmental concerns is the key to

Canal

developing a strategy for waterfront development which is sensitive to all concerns. The Environmental Statement, a requirement for most major urban developments, containing an assessment of environmental effects, is a useful tool in the search for a reasonable balance between these conflicting aims.

FUNCTION OF WATER AS A DESIGN ELEMENT