Holistic efforts needed to upgrade urban waterfronts

Editor's note: The focus of China's urbanization is shifting from large-scale expansion to improving the quality and efficiency of existing urban areas. This evolution necessitates the upgrading of waterfront areas in cities to make them more eco-friendly, resilient and comfortable. Zheng Degao, vice-president of the China Academy of Urban Planning and Design, spoke to Oriental Outlook magazine about how the waterfront spaces should be revitalized. Below are excerpts of the interview. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.

Waterfront areas in cities are prone to hazards such as floods, waterlogging and storm surges. When such events occur, they cause significant safety risks and socioeconomic damage. Therefore, ensuring safety and resilience is fundamental to the renewal of waterfront areas.

Due to climate change, extreme precipitation and floods are becoming more frequent. Relying solely on engineering projects to manage water hazards is not realistic. Instead, the country should adhere to hydrological principles and learn to co-exist with water. Strategies such as giving rivers and lakes more space and the restoration of natural riverbanks can help increase cities' capacity to store and release flood water.

Risk zoning should be carried out to determine the risk levels of different waterfront areas. Leisure facilities should be prohibited in high-risk zones and public access should not be allowed in these zones.

In medium-risk zones, development should be strictly restricted, allowing only limited human activities and ensuring rapid evacuation of visitors in emergencies. Low-risk zones can support the development of leisure activities and public facilities, provided they meet flood control standards.

The governance of waterfront areas should be flexible, balancing people's daily needs with emergency responsiveness. Access to these areas should be adjusted promptly in response to flood alerts and changes in the water level.

Also, renovation of green spaces, plazas and trails along the rivers or lakes is recommended, so that these areas are able to store more floodwater during an emergency and recover quickly after the water recedes.

Regeneration of waterfront areas involves comprehensive efforts to improve the aquatic environment and nearby public spaces and neighborhoods.

Such projects cannot rely solely on government efforts, nor can they be left entirely to private companies. Hence, a collaborative governance framework involving multiple stakeholders should be established, allowing both government and market forces to leverage their strengths.

Waterfront spaces should not be reduced to mere landscape projects. Instead, the focus should be on serving people's needs. The success of a regeneration project should be measured by how it makes people feel. Whether it attracts people, offers a blend of visual appeal and relaxation, and whether visitors recommend it to others are all part of the criteria. Economic benefits should also be taken into account, which requires the project to stimulate local businesses and attract consumers.

Environmental benefits form another dimension that needs to be assessed. Reviews are needed to determine whether a project has improved the ecological environment of the river or lake substantially. The number of birds, fish and aquatic plants are all essential metrics to measure the environmental benefits of the project.