Cities across America have been revitalizing their waterfronts for decades with new parks and development replacing heavy industry. But, a new breed of advocates is going one step further, and pushing for a time when people can just jump right in.
Will Doig profiles the "early adopters of the idea that cities' rivers and canals, cleaner than they've been in a century, are ripe for recreational use." Active in cities like Los Angeles and New York, where coming into contact with the city's "natural" aquatic resources would have demanded a trip to the doctor just a couple of decades ago, these pioneers are leading the charge in redefining how their city's waterways are viewed and used.
According to Doig, "public pressure, combined with new technological cleanup advances,
is changing some cities' waterways so quickly that they may soon be
unrecognizable. In fact, this transitional moment might be the most
intriguing time to explore such areas, especially for anyone who loves
the hidden and ignored corners of cities where few dare to venture -
those weedy, quiet, eerily beautiful abandoned spots that, just a few
years from now, might be jam-packed with backstrokers and jet skiers."
"Indeed," says Doing, "there's something about the potential opening up of these urban
waterways that sparks fevered interest. Maybe it's because, in suddenly
gentrifying cities, where forsaken space is quickly disappearing, they
represent a last wild frontier."
FULL STORY: Let’s swim to work!
Fifty Years After the Clean Water Act, Half of U.S. Waters Are Unsafe for Humans and Fish
A study of U.S. waterways shows that around half of lakes, rivers, and streams in the U.S. are too toxic to swim or fish in.
Distracted Driving—Still a Problem and a Threat to Public Safety
Even with laws limiting or prohibiting the use of devices while driving, motorists continue to make calls and text while driving.
The Growing Urban Inequality Gap, Visualized
Inequality is growing faster in large metropolitan areas, according to a New York Times data visualization.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution
The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.
Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas
Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.
San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes
San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service