Reconnecting waterfronts and central neighbourhoods: the lessons to be learned from user behaviour for the redesign of public spaces

Abstract

ABSTRACT Waterfront redevelopment is one of the main categories of urban project in major cities since the 1980s. However, waterfronts are faced with issues of fragmented land ownership and a lack of integration with other central neighbourhoods. Using Montreal’s waterfront as a case study, this paper shows how the governance framework of urban design may undermine their integration. The observation of user behaviour within public spaces offers a new perspective for the redesign of these links between neighbourhoods, and seeks to contribute to a vision of waterfront precincts beyond the limits imposed by administrative constraints.