Beyond boundaries : building public access to an urban waterfront

Abstract

Waterfront cities have historically evolved through conditions generated by reciprocity between water and landscape. Just as water gives form to the natural landscape, it provokes form in the built environment. Today the relationship has become less apparent. The intention of this thesis is to explore the reintegration of a city with its waterfront through the building of public space and access. This thesis proposes a design as an investigation of the following: -- how spatial and visual access between inland and waterfront public places can enrich one's experience and understanding of a city -- how waterfront structures and built landscape can intensify the exchange between land and water -- how pier and warehouse vocabulary may be transformed and reinterpreted; and finally -- how programmatic balance of public and private, utilitarian and commercial developments may help to redefine and revitalize an urban waterfront.