From Parksify – Waterfronts Are for People

Cities should improve access to waterfronts and design them to be more engaging.  In her 1958 article Downtown is for People, Jane Jacobs wrote that “Waterfronts are a great asset, but few cities are doing anything with them.” Nearly six decades later, little has changed in the way cities implement waterfronts into the design of their public spaces. 

 Read more: Waterfronts Are for People – Parksify

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From Project for Public Spaces — 9 Steps to Creating a Great Waterfront -

1. Look First at the Public Space In planning a waterfront development, city officials or a developer should begin by envisioning a network of well-connected, multi-use public spaces that fit with the community’s shared goals. By orienting waterfront revitalization around public spaces, new construction will enhance the quality of existing destinations and result in a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts.  While streets may be appropriate on some waterfronts, pedestrian connections should be given top priority, making large parking lots and auto-oriented development out of the question. Read more: 9 Steps to Creating a Great Waterfront - Project for Public Spaces

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Environmental studies complete, Ministry of Environment clears downtown waterfront lands for development

Ministry of Environment has given approval for @CityofNanaimo’s south downtown waterfront lands lands to be subdivided,...

Posted by Nanaimo Commons on Friday, December 18, 2015

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From Waterfront Toronto — Plans for protecting and revitalizing the Port Lands

.@WaterfrontTO lays out their plans for protecting and revitalizing the Port Lands http://t.co/0DGPakHq40 pic.twitter.com/oBIODLbASi

— Park People (@Park_People) October 1, 2015

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From Winnipeg Free Press —From parking lot to urban paradise

It is rare for a city to be given an opportunity to build a brand new neighbourhood in the heart of its downtown. When it happens, it is usually the result of an industry that was once the economic engine relocating out of the modern core.

In Toronto, the railway lands along Lake Ontario have seen a multibillion-dollar transformation into a forest of highrises, altering the city's postcard skyline image into something resembling lower Manhattan. False Creek was once the industrial heart of Vancouver, but today it is home to 60,000 people living in a signature West Coast condo tower neighbourhood.

When the rail yards at the intersection of the Red and Assiniboine rivers were closed 30 years ago, Winnipeg was given that same opportunity -- but went in a different direction... Read more: From parking lot to urban paradise - Winnipeg Free Press

From @PPS_Placemaking —7 major mistakes cities make when developing their waterfronts

.@PPS_Placemaking details 7 major mistakes cities make when developing their waterfronts: http://t.co/wDuyNjU8Vz #placemaking

— Tim Davis (@kettlemoraine) August 22, 2015

@jen_keesmaat — complete street, Queens Quay, has taught us a lot about redesigning streets for people

Our spectacular new #completestreet, #QueensQuay, has taught us a lot about redesigning #streetsforpeople pic.twitter.com/nI5YE0rFEH #TOpoli

— jennifer keesmaat (@jen_keesmaat) August 4, 2015

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Nanaimo South Downtown Waterfront master plan terms of reference report has been sent to Council

BACKGROUND: On 2013-MAR-27, the City purchased 10.8 ha (26.7 acres) of land and water from Canadian Pacific (CP) Railway along the southern Nanaimo waterfront (1 Port Drive). Since that time, a number of initiatives have been undertaken to prepare the property for redevelopment, including environmental studies and select demolition work. The 2015-2019 Financial Plan identifies completing the plan as a priority for 2015; the planning process is scheduled to begin in September 2015 with a target completion date of February 2016. 

The next step is to issue a Request for Proposals for consulting services based on the attached Terms of Reference. The purpose of the Master Plan is to provide specific guidelines for future land use, transportation, servicing, open space, trails and environmental protection, as well as phasing of development for this portion of the south downtown waterfront. The long-term vision for the area includes enhancement of the downtown waterfront, improving connectivity of the south downtown with the surrounding neighbourhoods, and creating opportunity for a new regional transportation hub.

The report was presented to Council on July 20. Pdf here

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Toronto’s New Waterfront Street — Queens Quay Open After Three Years of Revitalization Work

After three years of construction, Toronto’s revitalized waterfront boulevard is open – on schedule, and in time for the Redpath Waterfront Festival and the upcoming Pan Am and Parapan Am Games.

Once a street that featured poor design, insufficient room for pedestrians, and ageing infrastructure, Queens Quay has been transformed into a beautiful boulevard that includes a separated TTC right-of-way, a new section of the Martin Goodman Trail that connects the Trail across the downtown waterfront, and an enlarged pedestrian promenade that reflects the central waterfront’s importance as the second most-visited area of the city. Under the street, key infrastructure has been replaced or upgraded, including power, gas, water, sewage and telecommunications systems.

Area: Central Waterfront  Topic: design excellence,  parks & public spaces, queens quay,  reconnect to the water,  sustainable development

Read more: Toronto’s New Waterfront Street - Queens Quay Opens on Time After Three Years of Revitalization Work / Waterfront Toronto

Where's Senior Gov's help in #Nanaimo?—Canada, Ontario + City created WaterfrontToronto to oversee waterfront renewal http://t.co/dIwNaiO2xl

— NanaimoCommons (@NanaimoCommons) June 30, 2015

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Brent Toderian in Halifax

#Halifax's new downtown library doesn't disappoint - distinct architecture, nice urban edges, good public spaces. pic.twitter.com/7Tpvb6k5ig

— Brent Toderian (@BrentToderian) June 17, 2015

Pop-up movable chairs, piano, food kiosks, even container beer garden, all enlivening #Halifax's evolving waterfront. pic.twitter.com/BaRp421q8O

— Brent Toderian (@BrentToderian) June 18, 2015

Few more images of #Halifax's remarkable, award-winning new downtown library. Spent an enjoyable evening as a patron. pic.twitter.com/fWvF8VAG0Y

— Brent Toderian (@BrentToderian) June 19, 2015

#Halifax's Argyle Street evolution: 1st Gen, patios & sidewalks replace parking. Next Gen, pedestrian painted street. pic.twitter.com/RBKOLGYt8D

— Brent Toderian (@BrentToderian) June 19, 2015

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New West Mayor Cote uses SFU urban studies degree to solve real-world problems

Jonathan Cote wasn’t even dreaming of becoming a mayor when he enrolled in SFU’s master of arts program in urban studies in 2011. He was looking for solutions to New Westminster’s rental housing and transit issues.

Yet today, at age 35, he is Metro Vancouver’s youngest mayor, and his rental housing innovations are capturing the attention of mayors across the region. More at: New Westminster's Mayor Cote uses degree to solve real-world problems - SFU News - Simon Fraser University

City of Nanaimo MOU with Seaspan, Island Corridor Foundation

RT @cityofnanaimo City, Seaspan and Southern Rail enter into MOU http://cnan.ca/1Qr8Xf8
Posted by Nanaimo Commons on Thursday, May 7, 2015

Memorandum of Understanding pdf here.

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PWL Partnership, landscape architects — Coal Harbour, South East False Creek

—@pwlpartnership is the landscape architecture firm working with both Insight Holdings and the #Nanaimo Parks Recreation...
Posted by Nanaimo Commons on Monday, May 11, 2015

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How urban designer Ken Greenberg's neighbourhood made succesful transition from industrial to mixed use

More at @CBCToronto Toronto 2025: How to grow, with minimal growing pains

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Check out the video - Revitalization plan for former Guvernment site revealed in Toronto : http://t.co/BWlmpozSSA via @CityNews

— Ken Greenberg (@KGreenbergTO) March 26, 2015

Via @KGreenbergTO Revitalization plan for former Guvernment site revealed in Toronto @CityNews

Posted by Nanaimo Commons on Thursday, March 26, 2015

Lakefront trail or sewer system? Okanagan residents debate rare land purchase @cbcnewsbc

Lakefront trail or sewer system? Okanagan residents debate rare land purchase http://t.co/qbYtpuAnk4 pic.twitter.com/GSqOlcnumM
— CBC British Columbia (@cbcnewsbc) March 3, 2015

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How about putting a train on it? @globeandmail BC mulls making scenic railway into bike path http://t.co/4hKnJPr9On pic.twitter.com/AW8b6kaW8E
— Taras Grescoe (@grescoe) March 18, 2015

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Baltimore Inner Harbour "the model for post-industrial waterfront redevelopment"

Baltimore’s Inner Harbor has many stories to tell, from its heyday in the 18th century as the nation’s leading shipbuilding site, to a major site for oyster canning, steel working, railroad building, immigration port and military supply center. In 1980, the Inner Harbor area underwent a major revitalization with the addition of many attractions, hotels, restaurants and shops. Today, the Inner Harbor is a major tourist destination and port of call for cruise ships. More at: Baltimore Inner Harbor 

1. The Inner Harbor is a historic seaport, tourist attraction, and landmark of the city of Baltimore, Maryland, USA. It was described by the Urban Land Institute in 2009 as “the model for post-industrial waterfront redevelopment around the world.” Wikipedia

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‪ Wellcox Lands enviro assessment: meets provincial standards, can be industrially or commercially developed

Post by Nanaimo Commons.

Post by Nanaimo Commons.

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#Nanaimo— Remember our Foundry? Here's North Van's waterfront.

#Nanaimo—Remember our Foundry? RT @lower_lonsdale: Last night's sunset was unreal! http://t.co/BU1GNRRZZU #northvan pic.twitter.com/EvM2nQCBex

— NanaimoCommons (@NanaimoCommons) February 17, 2015

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Waterfront Toronto development to create 2,000 plus jobs—100% privately funded

Post by Nanaimo Commons.

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From PlaceSpeak — Building a sustainable and prosperous waterfront @GeorgiaStraitBC

Georgia Strait Alliance's Waterfront Initiative is a collaborative effort to build a vision for a sustainable and prosperous urban shoreline in Vancouver and to develop an action plan to make this vision a reality. We are inviting all those with an interest in the future of the city's waterfront to work together—First Nations and all other levels of government, businesses, civil society, and citizens.  More at: PlaceSpeak - Building a sustainable and prosperous waterfront