"Daylighting" rivers in urban areas is the process of uncovering waterways to beautify cities, support habitats, and aid drainage.
In cities where space is at a premium, many rivers are covered and built over. But around the world there's a growing trend among cities to "daylight" or uncover portions of their rivers. A daylighted portion of river can add beauty to an area and make it more friendly to local wildlife. "More recently in the US, $19m was invested to daylight the Saw Mill River in downtown Yonkers, New York. The aim was to regenerate the area and bring back habitat for a range of species including muskrats and snapping turtles," David Cox writes in the Guardian.
Another impetus for daylighting rivers is the earth's warming climate. "Planners hope to utilise the passive cooling provided by rivers to help combat the urban heat island effect, and most of all, offer benefits in terms of flood protection," Cox reports.
FULL STORY: A river runs through it: the global movement to 'daylight' urban waterways
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