This research is the primary 

document of 2019\2020 urban 

planning engineering graduation 

projects.   

      



i 

 

                                                                                              

Urban Waterfront Planning and 

Design 

 

 

Prepared By: 

Rania Mohammad Amireh 

 

 

Supervised By: 

Dr. Ali Abdelhamid 

Dr. Zahraa Zawawi 

 

 

This Research is Submitted within the Course (Graduation Project 2) Department 

of Urban Planning Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Information 

Technology, An-Najah National University, Nablus  

  

May, 2020 

 



  

 

 

 

Abstract 
Rivers and water are valuable natural resources for human life, environment and national 

development.  Recognition of water resources as national heritage will contribute towards more 

long-term sustainable property development. Waterfront development is already a well-established 

phenomenon internationally. as the economy began to change in 1980s, so did the land use along 

many of the river and waterfront locations.  The pressures of new technology coupled with an 

urban population growth and urbanization began to force a transition from water dependent 

industry to a variety of non-water dependent developments such as apartments, offices, and retail 

shopping areas.  Residential waterfront development has taken advantage of available land and 

water amenities and incorporated as a feature or “selling point” of the development. It has been 

found that wide views of water add an average of 59% to the value of waterfront property, as well 

as providing attractive landscaping and better property neighborhoods respectively.  Development 

of waterfront lands in Malaysa occurred with limited federal, state, or municipal planning 

guidance; resulting in cost aspects like flooding and pollution. Although some waterfront 

development projects continue to remain profitable with a maintained successful public access 

component, many have not.  This paper provides a brief introduction to the research project to 

address this issue, which is currently on-going.   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



i 

 

Dedication 
 

To My homeland Palestine 

The place which gave me the most, the warmest place  

 

To My great parents,  

 who never stop giving of themselves in countless ways, always been there 

supporting me. Days and nights, I could see my mother’s tears and prayers, my 

father’s effort and hope 

 

to my sisters 

my inspiration and support, had my back in every step. 

 

to my best friend and soul mate 

who been there when I fall and succeed, gave me all what she could and gave me 

the love and patience and encourage to continue. 

 

My teachers and professors 

Who gave me a lot from their knowledge and formed my personality 

 

 

No word describes my appreciation Thank you all 
 

 



ii 

 

Contents 

 

Chapter 1: Introduction .............................................................................................. 1 

1.1 Background ....................................................................................................... 1 

1.2 Research Problem. ............................................................................................ 2 

1.3 Project’s Importance ......................................................................................... 3 

1.4 The research’s objectives form the guideline for the project’s importance: .... 4 

1.5 Methodology ..................................................................................................... 5 

1.6 References ......................................................................................................... 6 

Chapter 2: Theoretical and conceptual review .......................................................... 7 

2.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 7 

2. 2 Waterfront ........................................................................................................ 7 

2.3 Origin of waterfronts ........................................................................................ 8 

2.4 Urban waterfronts definitions ........................................................................... 9 

2.5 The effects of water as a planning element in urban area ................................ 9 

2.6 Urban waterfronts categories ..........................................................................13 

2.7 Urban waterfronts features .............................................................................14 

2.8 Waterfront development .................................................................................15 

2.9 Types of Waterfront Development .................................................................15 

2.10 Waterfront and urban development ..............................................................17 

2.11 Waterfront regeneration ................................................................................18 

2.11 Waterfront regeneration according to the waterfront and urban development

 ...............................................................................................................................19 

2.12 Role players in waterfront regeneration. ......................................................19 

2.13 The definition of waterfront area ..................................................................21 

2.14 Characteristics of Waterfront Zone ..............................................................21 

2.15 Elements for Successful Waterfront Development ......................................22 

2.16 The Quality of Life Indicators ......................................................................23 



iii 

 

2.18 The structure of waterfront landscape ..........................................................25 

2.19 water development and tourism ....................................................................25 

2.20 Conclusion ....................................................................................................27 

Chapter 3: case studies (national, regional and local cases) ....................................28 

3.1 Introduction .....................................................................................................28 

3.2 Case studies as research method .....................................................................29 

3.3 Case studies selected .......................................................................................30 

3.3.1 Case study one: Toronto Harbor Front – Canada .....................................30 

3.3.2 Case study two: Bahary waterfront – Egypt. ............................................37 

3.3.3 Case study three: Jaffa waterfront – Occupied Palestine .........................40 

Chapter 4: Site Selection ..........................................................................................47 

4.1 Introduction .....................................................................................................47 

4.1.1 Residential Waterfront ..............................................................................48 

4.1.2 Tourist Waterfront ....................................................................................48 

4.2 Site Selection ..................................................................................................48 

4.2.1 water surfaces ...........................................................................................48 

4.2.2 selected location ........................................................................................52 

4.2.3 land suitability mapping ...........................................................................54 

4.2.4 selected land analysis ................................................................................66 

4.2.5 weather analysis. .......................................................................................70 

4.2.6 Site accessibility .......................................................................................73 

4.2.7 Tourism analysis .......................................................................................76 

Chapter 5: Dead Sea Water Front Project planning .................................................85 

5.1 Introduction .....................................................................................................85 

5.2 conceptual design ............................................................................................85 

5.2 land use zones. ................................................................................................87 

5.3 land use plan. ..................................................................................................93 

5.2 parcellation ......................................................................................................93 

5.3 Roads an streets network ................................................................................94 



iv 

 

5.4 Master plan......................................................................................................96 

Chapter 6: The Project Design .................................................................................99 

6.1 Site plan ..........................................................................................................99 

6.2 detailed plans ................................................................................................102 

6.2.1 Residential buildings zone ......................................................................102 

6.2.2 single houses ...........................................................................................105 

6.2.3 educational facilities ...............................................................................110 

6.2.4 Public center ...........................................................................................112 

6.2.5 Gym and sport area .................................................................................116 

6.2.6 Green adventurous Hill ...........................................................................118 

6.2.7 Hotel area ................................................................................................120 

6.2.8 Water park ..............................................................................................122 

6.2.8 floating chalets ........................................................................................124 

6.2.8 boats port ................................................................................................125 

6.2.8 3D shots in a day\ night vision ...............................................................127 

 

  



v 

 

Figures  

 

Figure 1 Vancouver Waterfront, source: lmnarchitects.com ..................................... 8 

Figure 2: The effects of water as a planning element in urban area, Source: Önen 

(2007) .......................................................................................................................10 

Figure 3(a) The mirror effect of water, (b) The vibrancy effect of moving water, 

Source: Önen, 2007). ...............................................................................................11 

Figure 4urban schema of Manhattan, Philadelphia, Pittsburg and Pekin, Source: 

Hattapoğlu, 2004. .....................................................................................................12 

Figure 5 Recreational uses (a), Source: (Umut Pekin Timur,2010, page 5), 

Brighton Pier, (b) The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Source: Andini, 2011. .....13 

Figure 6 Role players in waterfront regeneration, Source: Huang et al., 2011, page 

385 ............................................................................................................................20 

Figure 7 The place making criteria, Source: Project Public Spaces, 2009. .............24 

Figure 8 Toronto Harbor Front, Source: google maps,2019 ...................................31 

Figure 9  fToronto Harbor 1870, Source: Flack, 2011. ...........................................32 

Figure 10 Toronto Music Garden, Source: Harbor Front Centre, 2014. .................35 

Figure 11  Map showing the study area, Source: Sustainable Waterfront 

Development—A Case Study of Bahary in Alexandria, Egypt. .............................37 

Figure 12   Pictures of the famous sites, Source: Sustainable Waterfront 

Development—A Case Study of Bahary in Alexandria, Egypt. .............................38 

Figure 13 Map showing the site accessed by the different paths of the study area, 

Source: Sustainable Waterfront Development—A Case Study of Bahary in 

Alexandria, Egypt. ...................................................................................................39 

Figure 14 Map showing the land use of the study areas, source: Sustainable 

Waterfront Development—A Case Study of Bahary in Alexandria, Egypt. ...........40 

Figure 15 Haifa port, Source: research gate. ...........................................................41 

Figure 16 The Port during the Ottoman Empire, Source: Eitan Eden. ....................42 

Figure 17 The Port during the Ottoman Empire, Source: Eitan Eden. ....................43 

Figure 18 Warehouse 1.A) The southern entrance to the building (top). B) The 

northern façade. Source: Nufar Avni .......................................................................45 

Figure 19:   A diagram of the port, Source: Arnon, Levi and Maor, 2008. .............47 

Figure 20 water surfaces in Palestine.......................................................................49 

Figure 21  Tiberias lake land use map. ....................................................................49 

Figure 22   Mediterranean coast (Haifa district) land use map................................50 



vi 

 

Figure 23  Dead sea land use map. ..........................................................................51 

Figure 24 Red sea land use map. .............................................................................52 

Figure 25: suggested lands at the dead sea. .............................................................53 

Figure 26 land suitability method ............................................................................55 

Figure 27:  salt borders.............................................................................................56 

Figure 28 mapping layers .........................................................................................61 

Figure 29 mapping layers .........................................................................................62 

Figure 30 mapping layers .........................................................................................62 

Figure 31mapping layers ..........................................................................................63 

Figure 32 mapping layers .........................................................................................63 

Figure 33: GIS model ...............................................................................................64 

Figure 34  GIS tools .................................................................................................64 

Figure 35 weighted overlay spatial map. .................................................................65 

Figure 36 final result ................................................................................................65 

Figure 37 chosen land. .............................................................................................66 

Figure 38  soil type map. ..........................................................................................67 

Figure 39   seismicity analysis. ................................................................................67 

Figure 40  agricultural value. ...................................................................................68 

Figure 41  Geology analysis map.............................................................................68 

Figure 42  topography and contour maps. ...............................................................69 

Figure 43  topography and contour maps. ...............................................................70 

Figure 44   solar radiation map, and the sun path. ...................................................71 

Figure 45  temperature morning/night. ....................................................................71 

Figure 46 temperature Max/Min degree. .................................................................72 

Figure 47  Wind analysis .........................................................................................72 

Figure 48:  local accessibility. .................................................................................73 

Figure 49 sub-regional accessibility. .......................................................................74 

Figure 50  regional road 90. .....................................................................................75 

Figure 51  access points with the world and accessibility. ......................................75 

Figure 52  access points with the west bank and accessibility. ...............................76 

Figure 53  natural analysis.  Heritage locations at the dead sea ..............................77 

Figure 54  local trips chart. ......................................................................................78 

Figure 55  money spent indicators. ..........................................................................78 

Figure 56  distribution of visitors by length of stay. ................................................79 

Figure 57  tourism relation between the main cities and the dead sea. ...................83 

Figure 58 Jericho and the site, source: liwaa  mashaqi, 2019..................................83 

Figure 59  the tourism path between the site and Jericho ........................................84 



vii 

 

Figure 60  the concept of the project. ......................................................................86 

Figure 61  educational use .......................................................................................87 

Figure 62   residential buildings use. .......................................................................88 

Figure 63   Public commercial center. .....................................................................89 

Figure 64  sport center. ............................................................................................90 

Figure 65  hotel area.................................................................................................90 

Figure 66  hotel area.................................................................................................91 

Figure 67  open green areas. ....................................................................................92 

Figure 68  the beach. ................................................................................................92 

Figure 69   land use map. .........................................................................................93 

Figure 70  parcellation system. ................................................................................94 

Figure 71  Roads network with the connection of the site and their relation. .........95 

Figure 72  roads network in the project ...................................................................95 

Figure 73  cull de sac types. .....................................................................................96 

Figure 74   the final master plan. .............................................................................98 

Figure 75  the final site plan. .................................................................................100 

Figure 76  residential building zone. .....................................................................102 

Figure 77   the design of the building. ...................................................................103 

Figure 78  3d shots for the residential buildings area . ..........................................104 

Figure 79  1) the plan example for the apartments number,                  2) the design 

of the parking lots ..................................................................................................104 

Figure 80  single houses zone. ...............................................................................105 

Figure 81  3D modelling for the single houses zone. ............................................107 

Figure 82  single houses block ...............................................................................108 

Figure 83 3D modelling for the single houses block .............................................109 

Figure 84   The educational zone. ..........................................................................110 

Figure 85  3D modelling for the educational zone. ...............................................111 

Figure 86  3D modelling for the educational zone. ...............................................112 

Figure 87  Gym and sport area zone. .....................................................................116 

Figure 88  3D modeling Gym and sport area zone. ...............................................117 

Figure 89  Green adventurous Hill zone. ...............................................................118 

Figure 90  3D modelling Green adventurous Hill zone. ........................................119 

Figure 91   Hotel area zone. ...................................................................................120 

Figure 92  3D modelling Hotel area zone. .............................................................121 

Figure 93: water park zone. ...................................................................................122 

Figure 94  water park zone. ....................................................................................123 

Figure 95   floating chalets. ....................................................................................124 



viii 

 

Figure 96  3D modelling floating chalets. .............................................................125 

Figure 97  3D modelling boats port. ......................................................................126 

 

  



ix 

 

Tables 

 

Table 1: Characteristics of Waterfront Zone………………………………… 25 

Table 2: Case study evaluation……………………………………………....  38 

Table 3: Table 3: the criteria and the layers used………………….………...  59 

Table 4: Average Number of Workers in Hotels by Type of Work, Sex….… 78 

Table 5: Main Indicators for Hotel Activities in 2018…………………….… 78 

Table 6: Main Indicators tourism activities and economy………..………. 78 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



x 

 

 

 

 

 

 



1 

 

Chapter 1: Introduction 

 

1.1 Background 

 According to the planning department in Seattle’s city we can define waterfronts as 

“Cities seek a waterfront that is a place of public enjoyment. They want a waterfront 

where there is ample visual and physical public access – all day, all year - to both 

the water and the land. Cities also want a waterfront that serves more than one 

purpose: they want it to be a place to work and to live, as well as a place to play. In 

other words, they want a place that contributes to the quality of life in all of its 

aspects – economic, social, and cultural”1. Remaking the Urban Waterfront, the 

Urban Land Institute. 

Between the 17th and 19th centuries waterfronts in the modern terms were formed in 

Europe the Spanish trade mainly depended seaborne trade, landing on the seaports , 

meanwhile trades were established on the coast , which later caused forming 

development and urban expansion on costal sites, so the most appropriate site for 

settlement was certainly the one with the adequate level with the water, forming 

buildings for different functions . 

Otherwise this development wasn’t limited or formed, and the urban planning 

considerations were usually disregarded and town sites were mostly determined with 

the requirements of shipping and commerce. 

Planning for these areas requires creative solutions incorporating principles that 

differ in important ways from traditional urban land-use planning concepts and 

experience.  

Rather than attempting to create linear continuity along the waterfront, reflecting 

historical development patterns, land use continuity may be achieved by linking 

waterfront development with uses on land.2 

Tourism development and its role in planning, was one of the concepts that  insured 

the term ‘waterfront’, recreational and new functions started to appear along the 

 
1 Seattle Department of Planning and 

Design, 2012 

2 Stephen J. Craig-Smith, Michael Fagence, 

1995, page 10  



2 

 

coast side in a linear form, beaches and residential units were established, which has 

figured the regeneration of the inner areas.  

The future of many of the waterfront projects is sustain the increasing of new and 

permeant market and multiple functions, generating the new programs of 

redevelopment the coastlines with improving the planning strategies, as follows:3  

1- Rather than create continuity along the waterfront, land-use continuity is 

achieved by linking waterfront development with adjacent inland uses. 

2- Continuity is created through compatible architectural styling, building 

heights and massing and development scale and density. 

3- The waterfront should reflect multiple uses consistent with and supporting 

contiguous development patterns inland from the water. 

4- The waterfront’s activity should serve independent but compatible markets 

including local residents, recreation and tourism, retail trade, office and other 

employment activities, and commercial water-related uses. 

In Palestine there was a good experience with the settlements and commerce along 

the Mediterranean Sea before the 1948 war, the situation afterwards limited all types 

of development including costal and harbor planning. As it is known about the 

Palestinian case, currently the western coast is under the Israeli control, excluding 

Gaza district. However, even the development in Gaza is stricter according to the 

political condition, which limited and any habilitation and improvement for the 

facilities along the sea coast.  

 

1.2 Research Problem.  

The case that the research is mainly discussing is the idea of waterfront in the 

Palestinian actuality, and the need for such projects in the Palestinian authorities  

especially that there’s no projects has been applied in the West Bank according to 

the leak of water sources such as, coasts, rivers or lacks. 

 
3 Stephen J. Craig-Smith, Michael Fagence, 

1995, page 47 



3 

 

The only city that its attached to the coast is Gaza city, but according to the political 

situation and the continuous prevention for any entry to the city, we had to find an 

alternative for the locals in West Bank.  

What increases the value of the waterfront project is the local need for the 

entertainment and functional facilities, and waterfront project provide the local need 

with the expected facilities.   

The need for the project is more about connecting the coast with diverse uses of 

urban development, as the atheistic value that will be achieved through emerging the 

nature and development in one picture.  

When we usually mention the term “waterfront” we can encounter the term of 

sustainable tourism, inserting these terms in the Palestinian community and 

increasing the consciousness about the importance of implementing it.  

The need of new modern architectural projects, that follows the urban planning and 

design strategies is important to create a sustainable modern community, and 

although the current waterfronts in the west bank that located at the dead sea is 

leaking a lot of work. However, development plans are seeking to change this by 

providing a long-term strategy that aims at transforming the city’s waterfront into a 

world-class tourism destination. 

 

1.3 Project’s Importance  

The importance of the research is to explore the role of waterfront development in 

urban development in Palestine. The aim is to focus on the fact that waterfronts are 

used to re-establish physical links between parts of the city.  

Waterside areas merge a number of functions within a city environment: It can act 

as a traffic artery, a location for industrial and commercial activities, a drain or 

reservoir, residential area as well as a recreational resource. The diversity in usage 

indicates a number of different groups who use the waterfront for various reasons. It 

can be a place of residence, work or recreation. These are the major usages of 

waterfronts which lead to a number of features within a waterside area such as 

housing, industry, commerce, transport and numerous leisure and recreational 

facilities.  



4 

 

the characteristic of having a waterfront location such as the proposed location at the 

dead sea area make it interesting for tourism uses. Especially the tourism value for 

the dead sea internationally Regarding recreational and tourism use of waterfront 

areas, accessibility, parking, open-space facilities, water quality, sports areas etc. 

may be of high importance. Pedestrian access and open spaces offer visitors the 

opportunity to engage in a variety of activities. Also, if waterfronts provide 

convenient linkages. 

between their internal parts it encourages the exploration of that area, in particular 

for pedestrian tourists4. In general, tourism precincts such as waterfronts perform a 

number of functions for the visitor that can be characterized as facilitating, place 

connecting and state-of-mind functions. 

The need of the diversity within the Palestinian community at the social and the 

economic levels is important to drive the community for a higher living stander, 

presenting sustainability and livability within applying the functions of landscape 

and housing.  

 

 

1.4 The research’s objectives form the guideline for the project’s 

importance:  

1- Identify key themes for waterfront planning and development.  

2- Explore the representation of tourism in the planning documents relevant to the 

waterfront development in Palestine.  

3-Compare the role of tourism in the waterfront planning and development with 

regards to another waterfront renewal project from around the world. 

4-Confirm the Palestinian rights in the public water sources. 

5- Provide the local authorities with a Palestinian project that achieves modern 

terms such as sustainability, sustainable tourism, multifunctional land-use, urban 

environment.  

 
4 Krolikowski & Brown, 2008. 



5 

 

6- increasing the private sector and citizens consciousness about big scale projects. 

 

These objectives and aims will create a better understanding of the role of 

waterfront development in urban regeneration in Palestine. The following themes 

are explored based on the above-mentioned aims: the linkage between the different 

theoretical concepts, the historical overview of waterfronts, the different zones 

within waterfront development, and lastly, the formulation of a possible strategy 

for urban regeneration.   

 

1.5 Methodology  

1) Theoretical and conceptual review: The theoretical framework in scientific 

research is the set of theoretical pages that are recorded in the scientific research 

methodology or dissertation. Its represented in the importance of the study and its 

objectives, the scientific methods used in the study, the terminology, the 

hypotheses formulated by the researcher, and the help of the author or scholar. 

Previous studies contribute to its deepening in the study of all aspects of the 

problem in question. 

2) Empirical study: 

1. Research approach: A qualitative approach is used in this dissertation. The 

reason for using this type of approach is that it focuses on collecting and 

analyzing information in as many forms as possible, although this approach 

is primarily non-numeric.5 A qualitative approach aims to achieve an in-

depth understanding of the study, rather than a general overview.6 The study 

explores the role waterfronts play in cities and the surrounding environment. 

The methodological framework selected for this dissertation study is case 

studies.   

2. Research method: The case study involves the study of an issue that is 

explored through one or more circumstances within a bounded system.7 Case 

studies can have a quantitative or qualitative approach, of which the 

qualitative approach is appropriate for this study because it focuses on 

 
5 Kanbur, 2001, page 12 
6 Blaxter et al., 2010, page 61 

7 Creswell, 2007, page 73 



6 

 

eliminating unwanted case studies.8 This approach is essential to ensure that 

uninformative or case studies with no value do not influence the result. Case 

studies can take the form of instrumental, intrinsic or multiple case studies, 

and a multiple case study design is used for this research.9   

 

1.6 References 

1- Scholarly publications (Journals)and books: A scholarly publication contains 

articles written by experts in waterfront urban development and generation. These 

articles generally report on original research or case studies.   

2- Official sources: The Palestinian Government Printing Office disseminates 

information Additionally, the many departments of the government publish reports, 

data, statistics, white papers, consumer information, transcripts of hearings, and 

more.  Some of the information published by government offices is technical and 

scientific.  Other information is meant for the general public. 

3- Institutional resources: Papers, researches, and information presented at 

conferences or profit and nonprofit institutions working in planning or society 

fields, such as (GIZ), (BEIT SELEM). Proceedings are sometimes peer-reviewed 

and are often the first publication of research that later appears in a scholarly 

publication.  

4- Theses & Dissertations: the result of the individual student's research, the data 

and information were collected personally thorough surveying and workshops, or 

by witnessing and analyzing. 

  

 
8 Creswell, 2007, page 73 9 Herriott & Firestone, 1983 



7 

 

 

Chapter 2: Theoretical and conceptual review 

2.1 Introduction 

 The literature review is the main component of any research and scientific 

messages, without it the research won’t be a straight scientific research, it will just 

become regular and long article without any research frameworks. 

In this research we will consider concepts related to the waterfront zone design, with 

all the functions and uses related to the concept, such as landscape, land use, urban 

design, urban development and any other related concepts, examining these theories 

would lead us to a clear vision to the research’s project and concept. 

The literature review includes an overview of waterfronts and the role in urban 

development. The history of national and international waterfronts is described, as 

well as the role of waterfronts in urban development, economic factures, the concept 

of urban regeneration, and the evolution of waterfronts.  

Subsequently, the literature study will lay the foundation for the empirical study 

using the different resources depending on three stages, international case, regional 

case (middle east), and a local case 

 

2. 2 Waterfront  

A waterfront is defined by a stretch of land or area located along or in direct contact 

with a body of water, or a stretch of land fronting on sea (rivers, lakes, oceans, bays 

and creeks)10. It can be a harbor district of a town or a city of any size (Timur, 2013: 

170). Furthermore, a waterfront should not only be seen as a line along the water’s 

edge, but rather a network of places, functions and additional uses. A waterfront 

should be a center between the shoreline and the city, as well as between the harbor 

activities and urban activities. Moreover, waterfronts should be seen as a 

concentration of functions including production, cultural, relational, recreational and 

residential functions and an area of public use. 

 
10 Carta, 2006, page 88 and Dong, 2004, 

page 7 



8 

 

 

Figure 1 Vancouver Waterfront, source: lmnarchitects.com 

 

 

2.3 Origin of waterfronts  

It is important to understand the origin of waterfronts as they were embedded in 

economic trade goods. The history of trade started between individuals within 

villages, and later between different villages.11 Seaports developed at a later stage to 

improve the quality of goods and the time that traders took to transport goods from 

one place to another, which included silk, gold, silver, spices, jewels, porcelains and 

medicines.12 Furthermore, travelers transported goods on common roads that were 

easy to access in all directions. 13  History shows that the geographic landscape 

determined the trade routes. The first trade14 routes were down the Rhine and then 

eastward along the coast of the North Sea and the Baltic, laying the foundations of 

the trading towns. 

 
11 Curtin, 1984, page  2. 
12 Bernstein, 2008, page 1. 

13 Curtin, 1984, page 3.  
14 As revealed by Curtin 198, page 3 



9 

 

As the foundations were laid, the only problem was the time it took to transport 

goods from one place to another. Consequently, a cheaper and safer method to 

transport the goods was needed. The solution came through the exploration of water 

transportation. Soon after these new transport methods were identified, the need for 

resting locations arose. Travelers discovered new locations to rest and re-stock their 

supplies before continuing on their journey. Finally, the only thing needed was for 

an area to remove their cargo and passengers from the ships, resulting in the 

establishment of a port along the coast.15 

Waterfront areas were established to address the increase in the economic needs of 

the travelers and the transportation of goods. Waterfronts underwent several 

developmental phases to establish a safe harbor where inhabitants have an area of 

safe dispatch, as well as direct contact with the natural shoreline.16 The following 

section focuses on the urban development phases of waterfront development. 

 

2.4 Urban waterfronts definitions   

The word “waterfront” means “the urban area in direct contact with water”. 17 

waterfront is defined generally as the area of interaction between urban development 

and the water18.  

Although the evocable of waterfront is clear, also it has been met using some 

different words instead of the term waterfront in the literature.19 

waterfront identifies the water’s edge in cities and towns or urban area of all sizes. 

The water body may be “a river, lake, ocean, bay, creek or canal” or artificial.20 

 

2.5 The effects of water as a planning element in urban area  

The balance is established between nature and social life for a sustainable 

development of cities. Urban natural water elements play an important role in the 

establishment of this balance. Water is the most important planning element which 

is comfort of human physical and psychological. In addition, it brings existing 

 
15 Bernstein, 2000, page 4. 
16 Seattle’s Waterfront Design Collaborative, 

2010, page 5. 
17 Moretti, 2008. 

18 Yasin et al., 2010 
19 Hoyle, 2002; Hussein, 2006; Mann, 1973. 
20 Shaziman et al., 2010 



10 

 

environment in a number of features in term of aesthetic and functional (Figure 2).21 

One reason for the importance of natural water source in urban area is aesthetic 

effects whose creates on human. These effects are visual, audial, tactual and 

psychological effects.  The primarily power of attracted people on waterfronts is 

visual landscape effects of water on relaxation. Throughout, designs related to water 

takes over motion and serenity factors. Moving water (Figure 3a) (waterfall, cascade 

rivers and etc.) adds vibrancy and excitement to a space. Stagnant water (Figure 3b) 

creates the mirror effect in its space as a visual. 22 water is used commonly as 

reflection element by means of the optical properties. Wide and quiet water surfaces 

bring in serenity and deepness to its surrounding.23 or a space. Beside deepness effect  

 
21 Önen, 2007 
22 Önen, 2007 

23 Aksulu, 2001 

 

Figure 2: The effects of water as a planning element in urban area, Source: Önen (2007) 



11 

 

of water gives more widening feeling of in living area. Also, the various light games  

are formed on this surface.24 

 

The sound of water as an audial, a symbol is in a state which exhibits continuity of 

life whereas it gives vibrancy and joy.25 

 Stagnant water as an audial creates a serenity sense while moving water adds 

vibrancy to a space and also creates music effect.26 For the tactual effects of water 

in planning varies from rain dropping to our face, getting wet with splashing water 

of waterfall to being completely submerged in pool, lake or the sea. Diving in to the 

water is a kind of escape from the world. Touch with water is a symbol that reach 

the religious serenity for many belief systems.27 

It is possible that an important effect of the aesthetic effects are psychological ones. 

In fact, these effects are the emotional result which is perceived with senses. In 

addition, there is also psychological reactions towards water which comes from 

people’s sprits. Human being trends psychologically to water as an element which 

provides the continuity of life. Sound and freshness of water relax people.28 Water 

in urban areas is aesthetic effects as well as functional effects. These are climatic 

 
24 Hattapoğlu, 2004. 
25 Hattapoğlu, 2004 
26 Önen, 2007 

27 Hattapoğlu, 2004 
28 Önen, 2007  

 

Figure 3(a) The mirror effect of water, (b) The vibrancy effect of moving water, Source: Önen, 2007). 

 



12 

 

comfort, noise control, circulation effects and recreational aims. Water surfaces cool 

air by means of increasing the amount of moisture in an environment. Especially 

with continental climate, that is a great importance. Also, water is used to freshen up 

the out-door’s air. Wide water surfaces in regional-scale regulate air’s temperature 

surrounding areas.29 Water element is an important in urban areas where is in this 

region, because of its visual and climatic effects.30 In addition, water areas in urban 

spaces are composed of a barrier to artificial sounds with its creating the natural 

sounds.31 Water is in the organization of space as a limiting and concealer element. 

Because person has to walk around in suitable direction.32 It is possible to see mostly 

this effect at the riverfronts.  

 

Figure 4urban schema of Manhattan, Philadelphia, Pittsburg and Pekin, Source: Hattapoğlu, 2004. 

 

Rivers took on a spine task which is established cities and in the formation of streets, 

parks and other urban spaces have become a major factor. For example, (Figure 4) 

in Manhattan, Pittsburg, Philadelphia and Pekin.33 Recreational use of water element 

is too varied. Natural and artificial water surfaces and its surrounding can be serving 

many recreational uses (Figure 4), such as swimming, fishing, boat tour, 

entertainment, walking etc.   

 
29 Önen, 2007 
30 Gençtürk 2006 
31 Önen, 2007 

32 Gençtürk 2006 
33 Hattapoğlu, 2004 



13 

 

 

Figure 5 Recreational uses (a), Source: (Umut Pekin Timur,2010, page 5), Brighton Pier, (b) The Victoria and 

Alfred Waterfront, Source: Andini, 2011. 

 

2.6 Urban waterfronts categories 

Urban waterfronts have been distinguished five categories to location with water. 

Explained below the first two line symbolize coastal cities and the latter three line 

symbolize inland ones.34  

a. Urban area located on peninsula, 

b. Urban area located on a bay, 

c. Urban area located on banks of a river,  

d. Urban area located on banks of intersecting rivers,  

e. Urban area located on a large body of water.  

regardless of that separation, the shoreline shape is a major influence on how the 

location of the city in reference to the water impacts the city-water links.35 Cities 

which are located on peninsulas, headlands or small islands benefit from longer 

waterfronts at a short distance from the city Centre. The same could be said of 

cities located on the banks of intersecting rivers, estuaries and deltas. They have 

 
34 Al Ansari, 2009 35 Wrenn et al. (1983), 



14 

 

many long waterfronts, which increases the chance of public spaces located on the 

waterfront and also of these being connected to other hinterland public spaces.36  

 

2.7 Urban waterfronts features  

Three factors are more important in forming the cities. The first of these is the natural 

structure of the city, the second of these is physical structure of the city, and the other 

one is social structure of the city.37 These three factors constitute system of the city 

in interaction with each other. In the natural structure of the city, the water element 

of presence or absence influences the process and the image of the city. Water 

resources such as sea, river or lake are added value in different ways. Certain features 

of waterfront is represented to below:38 

1- It is become an urbanized area, an important land,  

2- Water and land are the two essential elements of waterfront, so this area an aquatic 

and terrestrial feature,  

3- The “water” may be a river, lake or sea,  

4- It has uncertain spatial boundaries and dimensions which change from place to 

place,   

5- The waterfront area may be a historical port area or urban area for other usages 

close to water,  

6- An essential structure of mixed land uses characterizes this essential area of the 

city,  

7- It supplies opportunity for interaction between human settlement and nature and 

water,  

8- As an edge environment, it is a dynamic place which changes biological, chemical 

and geological character,  

10- It is a special area because of being productive and biologically diverse 

ecosystems,  

11- It is a natural defense area for flooding, erosion with plant cover,   

 
36 Al Ansari 2009 
37 Akköse, 2007 

38 Dong, 2004; Yassin et al., 2010; Seattle 

Department of Planning and Design, 2012. 



15 

 

12- The waterfront area is a pollution moderator. 

   

2.8 Waterfront development  

Waterfront development is defined by development directly adjoining water for any 

purpose. Furthermore, water components can include river deltas, coastal plains, 

wetlands, beaches and dunes, lagoons and other water features. 39  The primary 

purpose of a waterfront development is for the waterfront to serve as an area for the 

transportation of goods through water.40  

Waterfront development started when local residents, sailors and traders settled 

along the water’s edge, and started to develop industrial waterfront areas. 

Consequently, industrial buildings and warehouses were developed along the 

waterfronts to supply trading services in the main economic cities. 

The development of waterfronts underwent several phases that can be divided into 

three main themes, namely the origin of waterfronts; waterfront and urban 

development; and waterfront and urban regeneration. These main themes led to the 

coining of the term urban regeneration. 

 

2.9 Types of Waterfront Development 

A city must first and foremost determine what it intends its waterfront to be. These 

issues must be sorted out before a city can plan for the redevelopment of its 

waterfront. In a trend of transforming the waterfronts to vibrant zones of leisure, 

commerce and housing by waterfront development, there are a number of 

conventional types: 41 

 

1-Major Waterfront Transformations  

Major waterfront transformations are unique that meet the needs and aspirations of 

cities that are unlike in geography, history and character. They share many factors 

such as housing, shopping, offices and recreation. There are complex negotiations, 

 
39 Tekalign, 2013, page 11; Yassin et al, 

2009,page 1 

40 Yassin et al, 2009, page 4. 
41 Breen, A., and Rigby, D. 1996. 



16 

 

dedicated leadership and huge sums of public and private money are involved to 

accomplish the transformations.  

 

2- The Commercial Waterfront There are a variety of project typifies the dynamism 

of the commercial waterfront to encourage public enjoyment of the waterfront. 

These projects include “festival marketplace” which is widespread and longstanding 

tradition of eating, shopping and socializing along water bodies, likewise is a public 

focal point, drawing people to attend many events.  

3- The Cultural, Educational and Environmental Waterfront The cultural, 

educational and environmental waterfront emphasizes the vital connections between 

people and water and can have a real effect on the way they think about this basic 

resource which man and natural are inseparable parts of the unified whole 

Waterfronts have been providing beautiful setting for religious architecture, 

memorials, public art and grand cultural institutions and educational sites for 

generations. 

4- The Historic Waterfront  

Instead of condemning old waterfront structures to non-use, decay and ultimate 

abandonment, some cities are working toward the preservation and adaptive reuse 

of historic buildings that maintains a tangible sense of the past and favoring a 

restorative approach that makes for a richer community and captures the allure that 

comes from being in touch with the past in modern daily life.  

5- The Recreational Waterfront Spending a leisure time on the water, whether for 

fishing, swimming or quiet contemplation is the recent theme of the urban waterfront 

development around the globe. Also, creating public spaces such as parks, marinas, 

walkways and promenades with shade pavilions, distinctive paving and lighted 

fountains constitute the biggest change along today’s urban waterfront, add a 

pleasant atmosphere and provide relaxation and enjoyment with being on the 

waterfront.  

6- The Residential Waterfront People throughout history have been living along the 

water for reasons both practical and poetic which housing styles varied according to 

the culture. Water, rivers, lakes, coasts and canals are public resources; the space 

along the water’s edge is welcoming balanced to visitors as well as to residential 

population. This means that walkways and facilities are visible, attractive and 

accessible and comfortable for the residents. 



17 

 

 

 

2.10 Waterfront and urban development  

Waterfront development and urban development have several similarities, not only 

due to the physical structure of the city or the growth of the cities, but through the 

different periods. It is more a link of the economic, social and environment 

components, which has been shown to be important components of urban 

regeneration. 

(a) Settlement of the port: As explained in the above-mentioned origin of 

waterfronts, there was a need and demand for an area where explorers can offload 

cargo and replenish their supplies, leading to the first port settlement along the cost. 

(b) Establishment of ports: During this period the ports transformed into important 

economic areas with industries, services, businesses and strong harbor activities. As 

a result, the settlement became a port authority, which included docks made of stone, 

and harbor trade that stimulated urban development, leading to the development of 

roads and transport facilities that provided goods and services to the area. 

Over time the harbor front or waterfront became more and more economically 

driven. It expanded and this created a need for specialists and special port activities. 

An increase in uses for waterfronts came with the arrival of the steamships and 

warehouses, blocking the water’s edge from the rest of the city.42 Furthermore, the 

need arose for easier transportation in the form of railroads and areas that can service 

the harbor fronts.43 

(c) Detachment from the city Waterfronts eventually started to detach from the 

surrounding urban environment.44 This detachment mostly happened due to three 

reasons: 

 (a) development of new ports; 

 (b) environmental reasons such as pollution;  

(c) and the development of the railroad. 

 
42 Wrenn, 1983, page 561. 
43 Wrenn, 1983, page 10. 

44 Wrenn, 1983, page 10-11. 



18 

 

(d) The decline of waterfront: The detachment and decline of the waterfront 

normally takes place almost at the same time. Decline occurred at the same time the 

waterfront was detaching from the city core. Consequently, a need existed to 

accommodate new, larger and more modern ships and new locations for ports were 

chosen. Finally, the role of the old port has now changed from an economic hub to 

an abandoned area of no use. 

As previously mentioned, some integrated qualities are needed for a waterfront. 

Sairinen and Kumpulainen’s table 45  aims to address the social impact of a 

waterfront. The most significant focus of the social impact assessment is to ensure 

that the main goals of the waterfront regeneration project are met, such as the 

different social and environmental benefits the waterfront should offer the 

community (the physical appearance of the area, recreational benefits, the history of 

the area, employment creation for the local residents and environmental 

protection).46 

The different social qualities of waterfront regeneration are divided into four 

categories, namely resources and identity; social status; access and activities; and 

the waterfront experience.47 

Waterfront experience: A feeling of the presence of water or contact with the water, 

sea, lake or river should add to the waterfront experience. Furthermore, the presence 

of a restorative experience is important. The sensory experience should be positive, 

be it visual, physical, tastes and sounds.48 

 

2.11 Waterfront regeneration  

Waterfront regeneration recently became a high priority49 to provide the public with 

access to the shoreline and to protect the waterfront’s biodiversity. This creates 

positive influences within waterfront areas. Furthermore, waterfront regeneration 

became a high priority given the fact that waterfronts have lost their function as an 

economic hub.  

 
45 Sairinen and Kumpulainen’s, 2006, page 

125. 
46 as revealed by Sairinen and Kumpulainen, 

2006, page 124. 

47 Sairinen & Kumpulainen, 2006, page 125. 
48 Sairinen & Kumpulainen, 2006 
49 Sairinen & Kumpulainen, 2005, page 121. 



19 

 

The term waterfront regeneration can be defined as the rediscovery of old city 

harbors. 50  For instance, it can include buildings and areas that are not directly 

adjacent to the water, but are otherwise linked or tied visually, historically or 

ecologically to parts of the city or town.  

Waterfront regeneration currently embodies the historic alteration of land and water 

along the edges of thousands of cities, large and small, throughout the world.51 It is 

clear that waterfront regeneration became more important.  

The definition developed into something more comprehensive as waterfront 

regeneration gained a more significant place. Therefore, one must look at how 

waterfronts developed and evolved over time and the role it plays in coastal 

development. 

 

2.11 Waterfront regeneration according to the waterfront and urban 

development  

Some obstacles have to be overcome to implement urban regeneration, such as the 

pollution caused by industrial activities, the quality of the infrastructure and all the 

abandoned warehouses and storehouses. In order to achieve this, the city and the 

waterfront have to be rejoined and it is deemed to be feasible through urban 

regeneration. It is especially vital for the potential economic, environmental and 

social benefits it holds for the area. These benefits include public use, as well as 

recreational, residential, and commercial uses. 

 

2.12 Role players in waterfront regeneration.  

Huang et al emphasize the importance for any waterfront regeneration project to 

decide which investors and parties to include in the project and what their 

responsibilities are. With the wrong parties, the project will not succeed52. Huang et 

al. developed the following figure (Figure 5) that illustrates the different 

responsibilities of role players.53 

 
50 Wiegmans & Louw, 2011, page 575 

51 Sairinen & Kumpulainen, 2005, page 121. 

52 Huang et al, 2011,page 385.. 
53 Huang et al., 2011, page 385. 



20 

 

 

Figure 6 Role players in waterfront regeneration, Source: Huang et al., 2011, page 385 

 

 

The horizontal axis represents coercive power and non-coercive power. Starting 

from the beginning of the project, the closer it is to the left, the higher the coercive 

power will be. The vertical axis demonstrates that the further development moves 

away from the special public corporation, the lower the coercive power will be.54  

The figure also provides other role players, only at different levels: the central 

government; local government; special public corporation; private corporations; and 

the private enterprise, whereas the special public corporation with dotted lines 

represent the needs of different development items. They are given some degree of 

coercive power and autonomy. On the other hand, the role players on the left are 

public organizations that possess a higher level of coercive power. Finally, the 

private bodies on the right have the highest level of autonomy.55 

 
54Huang et al., 2011, page 385  55 Huang et al., 2011, page 385. 

 

 

  Private enterprises 

-residence. 

-Shopping centers. 

-office buildings. 

-Waterhouse storage. 

public enterprises 

-postal service. 

-telecommunications. 

-electric power. 

-harbor operation . 

public organization  

-roads. 

-parks. 

-wharfs. 

-sea walls. 

public organization  

-culture. 

-environmental protection. 

-museum. 

-social welfare. 

Internal benefits  

external benefits  

Non-corrective 

power  

corrective 

power  

Central 

government 

Local 

government 
Private 

corporation 

Private 

enterprise 

Special public 

corporation 



21 

 

The vertical axis represents internal benefits and external benefits to all the role 

players and the closer it is to the top, the more prominent the internal benefits. These 

role players’ main goal is profit. Notably, the closer it is to the bottom, the more 

significant the external benefits are. The main goal of these role players is not to 

make a profit. 

 Finally, the diagram explains structures of four types of role players in waterfront 

development, namely public organizations, public enterprises, public welfare 

organizations and private enterprises. Each role player performs different functions, 

depending on their features.56 

 

2.13 The definition of waterfront area 

 The waterfront area is the confluence area of water and land. It is not only the edge 

of land but also the edge of water, and the land should cover some areas. It is with 

the highest density of elements and human activities. They affect each other greatly. 

In Princeton University online dictionary, it’s explained as the area of a city (such 

as a harbor or dockyard) alongside a body of water.57                               

Most of the waterfront lands are like belts along the coastlines. People want to make 

use of these areas, so planners begin to think of a way to make it attractive for people. 

How to connect traffic, establish different functions, and how to communicate with 

inner cities are the main problems. 

 

2.14 Characteristics of Waterfront Zone  

The waterfront zone is an area endowed with special characteristics. Table 1 below 

described the special features and functions of waterfront areas.   

 

Table 1: Characteristics of Waterfront Zone. 

Characteristic Description 

 
56 Huang et al., 2011, page 385. 57   Diyun Hou, 2009. 



22 

 

Ecological The waterfront zone is a dynamic area with 

frequently changing biological, chemical and 

geological attributes.  

The waterfront zone includes highly 

productive and biologically diverse 

ecosystems that offer crucial nursery habitats 

for many marine species. 

Economic The waterfront contributes significantly to 

human welfare, both directly and indirectly 

and, therefore represents a significant portion 

of the total economic value of the planet. 

Social The waterfront zone is socially important for 

global transportation, open access and 

common property and is a unifying element in 

the cultures of each country. 

Source: Diyun Hou, 2009 

 

 

2.15 Elements for Successful Waterfront Development  

Apparently, the harmonies of waterfront development could be achieved through 

combinations of people, nature and technology58.  In addition, 59determined that for 

any use of a waterfront area, a water plan should be developed before the land plan, 

to maintain an economically viable waterfront. Therefore, he recommended several 

principles that must be included while developing plans for waterfront areas, as 

follows:  

(1) Accessibility – the waterfront should not be isolated or separated from the 

development, so that the public can access the waterfront easily (convenient means 

for visitors to access the waterfront area).  

(2) Integrated – integration of the history, culture and existing architecture are 

recommended for new waterfront development.  

 
58 (Mann, 1973) 59 Bertsch (2008) 



23 

 

(3) Sharing benefits – a balance between public benefit and developer profitability 

must be found. A public-private partnership is essential for realizing the inspiration 

of the design.  

(4) Stakeholder participation – the involvement of multitudes of interested parties is 

compulsory: government agencies, developers, community organizations, 

environmental groups and the public all have a stake in the developments of a 

waterfront property and all must be involved in the process.  

(5) Construction phase – breaking down a huge project into several phases and 

allowing all stakeholders and the general public to see this provides a vision for the 

future. 

 

2.16 The Quality of Life Indicators  

Quality of life is a relatively impressionistic and a multidimensional concept which 

means different things to different people.60 The optimal level of quality of life is 

produced by combining the physical and psychological inputs. The quality of life 

can be translated through social and environmental considerations in the process of 

urban planning and is affected by the place in which we live.  

The concept of quality of life includes subjective or qualitative phenomena at the 

individual and the community level as well as objective measures of the status of 

individuals and the community.61 The interest in quality of life comes from city 

leaders and different parties including those who are interested in human 

development, social development, sustainable development and healthy 

communities. Thus, quality of life is important because a lot of people and 

organizations are paying attention to it.  

 
60 Coggan, A., and Kelly, G. 2007. 61 Hancock, T. 2000. 



24 

 

 

 

Figure 7: The Quality of Life Indicators, Source: Riham A. Ragheb, 2017 

 

 

 

Figure 7 The place making criteria, Source: Project Public Spaces, 2009. 

 

There is a concern to measure the quality of life of cities and understand how we are 

doing and feeling.62 In the past few decades, social scientists have attempted to 

 
62 Hancock, T. 2000. 



25 

 

objectively measure the quality of urban life through a variety of quantifiable social 

indicators which have been structured around the social/cultural, economic and 

environmental wellbeing to maintain and improve quality of life in urban spaces. 

These indicators are: natural and living environment, overall experience of life, 

governance and basic rights, health, education, economic and physical safety, leisure 

and social interactions, productive or main activity and material living conditions.63 

 

2.18 The structure of waterfront landscape 

The waterfront landscape can be separated into three parts: 

 1. Landscape water body. This includes water plants, life-forms and other things in 

the ecosystem. There are also some artificial landscapes, such as bridges and 

lighting.  

2. Areas close to water. Examples include waterfront squares, footpaths, 

architecture, landmarks, lighting and some artificial landscapes. There is usually a 

greenbelt to make the water look beautiful.   

3. Human activities. People can do some activities on waterfront areas, such as 

recreation or having a picnic.  

Waterfront landscapes can be separated by artificial and natural landscapes:  

1.  Natural landscape, such as water and plants.   

2. Artificial landscape, such as footpath and waterfront square. 

3. Cultural landscape, such as historical heritage and related stories. 

 

2.19 water development and tourism  

The waterfront is considered the origin context of human culture and economy 

because of trading and movement of humans and goods. The rise and fall of many 

cities were related to transportation and trading. Villages located on waterfronts 

turned into fishing villages and trading ports. 

 
63 Eurostat. 2014. 



26 

 

 During the Industrial Revolution Era (1760-1840), many industrial districts were 

established by seas and rivers mainly for the purpose of efficient transportation.64  

Nevertheless,   after    the    industrial   revolution, the    epic   advancement    of 

technology    and communication and  the  rising  awareness  of negative 

environmental,  health  and  social impact on communities has  led  to a dramatic  

shift  of  the industrial  structures all  over  the  world.  Industrial companies, areas, 

and districts moved their activities to edges of cities and in most case outside cities 

borders. Consequently, the unused land of old industrial districts and ports became 

one of the main foci of urban planning practitioners and academics for their 

favorable usual geographical positions in  approaching  downtown.65 Hoyle  (1999)  

claims that  the redevelopment of waterfront land became a global urban 

phenomenon, from advanced countries to developing  countries  from cosmopolitan  

cities  to  small  towns,  have  been  affected  greatly  by  the success experience  of  

Baltimore  inner harbor renewal since  the  mid-1960s  (i.e.  the Baltimore Type) 

with massive spatial, economic and ecological change to waterfronts all over the 

world.   

Vallega (2001) points out that the waterfront development has passed two distinctive 

stages.  The first stage (1960- 1990) waterfront development focused on saving local 

GDP and employment rate via commercial and national tourism activities and their 

consequent physical planning activities. The second stage (since the mid-1990s), the 

rise of globalization, sustainable development, diversity, cultural heritage, coastal 

management, city image and city labelling concepts had a major impact on 

waterfront development activities pegged with soaring international tourism. Since 

the mid-1990s, the notion of sustainability and globalization, governance and 

management have been the cross-cutting edge as well as the connector of all 

development disciplines including urban development, tourism   development, and   

management, environmental management, strategic planning, etc. Hence no 

development plan could be formulated without the taking into consideration all   

underpinning   corners   of   sustainability (i.e.   economic, social, environmental and 

urban dimensions).  

 

 
64 Hayuth 1998. 65 Hoyle, 2000; Chen, 2015 



27 

 

2.20 Conclusion  

Discussing all the prementioned theories in the literature review and the relation 

between them have shown a better understanding for waterfronts development and 

generation. In addition, for it being a very important element of any city with a water 

catchments including it. The waterfront development in the city that contains a water 

catchments will be able to bring a highest value in many functions and uses among 

the city, reinforcing city’s development. Waterfront areas combines between many 

theories and planning practices, we can see urban tourism, sustainability and 

landscape. 

Experiencing the other factors that appears as an influence of waterfront 

development such as the role players which will combine both private and public 

sectors to improve the projects principles. Historically, waterfront regeneration is 

only required when the waterfront area is critical for the growth of the city, notably 

when there is no use for the area and the city is in the decline period. Thus, a new 

role has to be rediscovered using waterfront regeneration, not only with regard to 

economic components, but also through social and environmental components. A 

lack of one of these components, the waterfront regeneration project will receive 

negative criticism from the role players that will place the waterfront regeneration 

project at risk. 

The literature study clearly showed that the role of the waterfront has changed from 

not only being economically driven, but also environmentally and socially driven. 

Furthermore, waterfronts have a remarkable resemblance to urban regeneration and 

urban development. Additionally, waterfront regeneration should include role 

players, which ensure that a waterfront regeneration project will have a positive 

influence on the city. To understand and relate to the above-mentioned themes, an 

empirical study was done through case studies through a qualitative research 

approach. 

It is important to use the correct social assessment factors and to ensure that the 

waterfront regeneration project will have the correct role and contribution to the city. 

Additionally, the disadvantages should be minimized using the social assessment 

factors. If the social assessment factors are not correctly implemented, the role 

players will not be correctly selected. It is essential to select the correct role players 

after the social assessment factors have been considered. Without the correct role 

players, the above-mentioned aspect will be difficult to implement, and the 



28 

 

waterfront regeneration and the project’s role in the urban development will be 

criticized. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 3: case studies (national, regional and 

local cases) 

 

3.1 Introduction  

The case study approach involves the issue of one or more circumstances within a 

bounded system.66 To ensure that the relevant information is selected, the multiple 

case study design will be explored. 67  In addition, the following case study 

approaches will be explored: instrumental and multiple case studies. The second part 

of the Chapter focuses on investigating two international and one South African 

waterfront projects that contributed to the role of waterfront development. The main 

focus of this Chapter is to highlight the key lessons and challenges that emerge from 

 
66 Creswell, 2007, page 73. 67 Herriott & Firestone, 1983, page 5. 



29 

 

each case study and to understand the role of waterfront development in urban 

regeneration of cities. 

 (a) Background and development phases: The history of the waterfront development 

and the process of how urban regeneration took place within the waterfront are 

explained.  

(b) Role players: The role players that contributed to the “success” of “failure” of 

the waterfront development are identified and explained.  

(c) The economic, social and environmental influences: These factors were 

identified in Chapter four as components that have an influence in the success of 

waterfront 75 development. The contribution of these components to the waterfront 

development is explained.  

(d) Case study evaluation: After the case studies have been thoroughly investigated, 

aspects applicable to this study are outlined. At the end of this Chapter findings are 

used to understand the role of waterfront development in urban regeneration of 

cities. 

 

3.2 Case studies as research method  

Case study research involves the study of an issue explored through one or more 

cases within a bounded system.68 It is imperative to understand the history of the 

case study method and what is meant by case study research. The case study method 

was developed by Stake69, he recommends the triangulation of information when 

searching from the convergence of information that has a direct link to “data 

situations” in developing a case study.  

Furthermore, it is important to understand how a case study is defined: Tracy (2013: 

90) defines a case study as follows: “A special participative training method that 

involves in-depth group of case reports- factual and accurate word pictures (or 

visualizations using videocassettes) of a situation that portrays people acting, 

interacting, and reacting. It requires reading, study, analysis, discussion, and free 

exchange of ideas as well as decision making and the selling of decisions to others.” 

Kumar70 states that a case study is about an individual, a group, a community, an 

 
68 Creswell, 2007, page 73. 
69 Stake, 1995, page 110-113. 

70 Kumar, 2014, page 155. 



30 

 

instance, an episode or an event that happened, a subgroup of a population, or a town 

or a city. 

 

3.3 Case studies selected  

The following case studies were explored by means of the case study approaches 

and methods:  

• Toronto Harbor Front – Canada.  

• Bahary waterfront – Egypt.   

• Jaffa waterfront – Occupied Palestine. 

 

 

3.3.1 Case study one: Toronto Harbor Front – Canada 

The Toronto Harbor Front is located in the western half of the Toronto Central Urban 

Waterfront see figure 9. The area measures 37 hectares in extent, and was built in 

1920 as a port facility.71 

 

 
71 Sweeney, 2005 



31 

 

 

Figure 8 Toronto Harbor Front, Source: google maps,2019 

 

(a) Background and development phases 

 The Toronto Harbor Front was built in the 1920s the gateway to northern Ontario, 

and to assist the CBD of Toronto and therefore connecting the Toronto Harbor Front. 

The Toronto Harbor Front was in phase one. Furthermore, the name “Toronto” 

originated from the old American-Indian word “meeting place”.72 In the 1960s, the 

harbor front was threatened by the development of the railway and the expressway 

development. Toronto Harbor Front was at phase three as mentioned later during 

this period, ultimately at the period of detachment. Notably, the development goal 

was to assist the industrial areas, which were located close to the waterfront. 73 

The Toronto community was almost cut off from enjoying the primary waterfront 

area for almost two generations. 

 
72 Yokohari & Amati, 2005, page 54. 73 Lehrer & Laidley, 2009, page 789. 



32 

 

 

Figure 9  fToronto Harbor 1870, Source: Flack, 2011. 

 

The community lost contact with the harbor, and to add to the problems, the activities 

of the port started to move to the eastern end of the harbor front, leading the harbor 

to further decay. The buildings became run down and abandoned. The Toronto 

Harbor Front was at phase four. Meanwhile, the government soon realized that there 

was a problem and in the 1970s the government bought the harbor front. This, land 

was valuable since it was located within a major city. It was a challenge to recycle 

the old abandoned buildings and the area.74 As regeneration took place the Toronto 

Harbor Front was in phases five, which is the waterfront regeneration period.  

The Toronto federal government developed an independent agency, namely the 

Harbor Front Corporation. The company was established to develop a mixed-use 

urban waterfront area. 

Phase 1: Cut off from the water edge – Before 1970s 

Phase 2: Tall buildings – the beginning of 1972 

Phase 3: Response with open space – the late 1970s 

 
74  Gounden, 2010, page 40. 



33 

 

Phase 4: Harbor Front Development Framework –after the 1970s 

Phase 5: Harbor Front Corporation - 1978 

 

(b) Role Players  

Several role players were involved in the development. Nevertheless, development 

could not have taken place without the role players as seen in Chapter Three. 

 The Toronto Harbor Front began with the Regional and Provincial Government, 

which soon realized there is a need for the residential areas and the CBD to be linked 

with the water’s edge. As a result, the Toronto Harbor Commission was developed, 

and later on the Central Waterfront Planning Committee.75  

As the development took place the public asked for open space. The government 

developed the Intergovernmental Waterfront Park Committee (IWPC) to develop a 

37-hectare waterfront park. Thereafter, several mistakes were made by the federal 

agency. Consequently, the Harbor Front Corporation was approached in 1978.76  

 

(c) The economic, social and environmental influences 

 The following three factors have changed the role of the Toronto Harbor Front 

development and are explained in the order in which they changed the role of the 

Toronto Harbor Front. 

 

 • Economic 

 the Toronto harbor front economy factor was reasonably strong. According to a 

survey conducted after the harbor was completed, the harbor front center returned 

$132 million to the region per annum, which can be used for further improvement 

to the area.77  

 
75 Gounden, 2010, page 44, Lehrer & 

Laidley 2009, page 490-491 & Spafford, 

2001, page 1-2. 

76 Gounden, 2010, page 44, Lehrer & 

Laidley, 2009, page 490- 491 & Spafford, 

2001, page 1-2. 
77 Fisher et al., cited by Gounden, 2010, 

page 44. 



34 

 

The harbor front center also provided 1240 career opportunities, consequently 

improving the living conditions of the residents of the surrounding area. Besides the 

1240 career opportunities, it also provided $24 million in taxes for the local 

government, eventually used to strengthen the economy, as well as the standards of 

the city.78  The Toronto Harbor Front excelled in the area of economic growth, 

improving the role of the waterfront within the city, through creating a secondary 

economic center. 

 

• Environmental  

According to the Stockholm Resilience Centre 79 , humans (social) and nature 

(environmental) are strongly coupled and should be seen as one system that works 

together. The Toronto Harbor Front’s environmental aspect was a central focus and 

remains as such. For example, the first goal was to create public destinations with a 

vibrant public and cultural space to provide a variety of experiences and amenities 

for the visitors.80  

The Toronto Harbor Front achieved this by using open spaces, such as the Canada 

Square and Urban Square. However, all these places formed part of the Water’s Edge 

Revitalization Program. The developers also focused on the social aspect and this is 

explained in more detail in the ensuing section.81  

 

•  Social  

The social aspect of waterfront development or any project is the factor that is most 

neglected and the most complicated to address. In Toronto, most of the social 

components are located in the eastern end of the harbor front center. The area has a 

selection of cultural, education and recreational programs for people of all ages. 

Whereas, the southern side of the harbor front center, which is the Queen’s Quay 

west area, comprises a variety of parks and open spaces. Providing the community 

with a social aspect, as well as direct access to the waterfronts edge. These areas 

form part of the environment aspect as well. Importantly, the Toronto Harbor Front 

 
78 Fisher et al., cited by Gounden 2010, page 

44. 
79 Stockholm Resilience Centre ,2013, page 

3. 

80 Dhanraj et al., 2012, page 11. 
81 Dhanraj et al., 2012:11 



35 

 

project showed the ability to connect the environment and social aspect. Thus not 

only addressing one problem or changing one role, but two in one step.82 One of 

these parks is the Toronto Music Garden that was built in 1999. 

 

Figure 10 Toronto Music Garden, Source: Harbor Front Centre, 2014. 

 

A negative aspect is that the harbor front and the CBD are not fully integrated. The 

railway is still underdeveloped and the road networks are not yet completed. This 

leaves unattractive open spaces. The express way is still as a boundary between the 

water’s edge and the community. Although Toronto still has a boundary between 

the water’s edge and the community,83 it succeeded the best according to Sairinen 

and Kumpulainen84 in involving the different social qualities of waterfront 

regeneration (refer to Table 4). 

 

(d) Case study evaluation  

 
82 Dhanraj et al., 2012, page 10. 
83 Gounden, 2010, page 41. 

84 Sairinen and Kumpulainen, 2005, page 

120-135. 



36 

 

This case study has also shown several tools for the integration of the above-

mentioned influences of the economic, environmental and social role of the urban 

regeneration of cities through waterfront development refer to Table 2. 

 

Table 2: Case study evaluation.  

Integrations tools for urban waterfront development 

Tools Economic Environmental Social 

Ability to modify √ √ √ 

Originality √ √ √ 

Balance √ √ √ 

Identity √  √ 

Source: An exploration of the role of waterfront development in urban regeneration: 

Mossel Bay as case study. 

 

• Ability to modify: The Toronto Harbor Front development used an essential 

model of planning. They used a framework rather than a plan, since a 

framework gives the role players the ability to change the plans for the area 

as the area changes. For example, the Harbor Front Development Framework 

that changed through the years from urban park to be a passive green space. 

Nevertheless, it evolved and ended up to be an active space with cultural, 

recreational, commercial and residential activities.  

 

• Originality: Creativity is needed to give the waterfront something unique that 

other waterfronts that helps its identity to attract tourists and residents to the 

area. For instance, the music garden is an attraction that no other waterfront 

has. This originality will ultimately help with the economic improvements of 

the area as well. 

 

•  Balance: Balance focuses on the ability to see that there should be a balance 

between the need and demand for service provision and the design of the area. 

A design should include financial factors, because the area must have 

something for everybody. However, it should not be a liability for the area. 



37 

 

For instance, the Baltimore aquarium’s design and service is not a liability, 

since it generates revenue. 

 

• Identity: The identity of the area is important since all components create a 

“feeling”. The Toronto waterfront does not “feel” like an area on its own, it 

feels as though it is part of the CBD 

 

 

3.3.2 Case study two: Bahary waterfront – Egypt.   

Bahary waterfront in Bahary, Kasr Ras El Tin, is classified as a main street in the 

street network of Alexandria. The Mediterranean Sea presents its waterfront to the 

north. The study area will focus on the coast which represents The Anfoushy Public 

beach and the costal hinterland that represents Kasr Ras el Tin Street which leads to 

Ras El-Tin Palace, which is allocated for the reception of official delegations of the 

state. It also holds the function as a main gate to the Turkish quarter, which 

unfortunately began to gradually disappear due to the neglecting of this area’s 

building. Any waterfront development process goes through different phases. This 

study focuses on the pre-development phase. 

 

Figure 11  Map showing the study area, Source: Sustainable Waterfront Development—A Case 

Study of Bahary in Alexandria, Egypt. 



38 

 

 

1- Analysis of Bahary Waterfront85  

Bahary has a waterfront scenic path, with prominent views of the Anfoushy Bay and 

Ras El Tin Palace. It is also with a historic background as it is the main entrance to 

the old Turkish Town of Alexandria, which includes a unique urban pattern of 

houses and streets. The analysis of study area is based on some principles collected 

during the theoretical part which focuses on the principles of waterfront 

development. 

 A- Access and Linkages  

The waterfront stretches 900 m along the sea and with variable width, from 25m to 

37m, joins the El Gish Road in the east to the very narrow streets of the old city in 

the west, and it is the only main street which serves the connection of its surrounding 

area land uses to the rest of Alexandria. At the southern street perimeter, there are 

more than 30 T-intersections with small and poor local streets, mostly with dead 

ends as well as some secondary streets like Sidi El-Hagary Street, Safr Basha Street, 

and Sidi Yacout Street. Also, there is a promenade along the sea but it does not 

encourage the public access and it was lined by palm trees to provide shade and there 

is a safety railing and lighting units along the walkway. The waterfront can be 

accessed by different means of transportation: public bus, private car, horse cart, 

bicycles and boats. The city tram, of which the network serves the old city, runs with 

other traffic in the middle of its right-of-way. Hiring boats or horse cart are 

considered as tourist attraction. Furthermore, the waterfront esplanade leads to 

 
85 Sustainable Waterfront Development—A 

Case Study of Bahary in Alexandria, Egypt. 

 

Figure 12   Pictures of the famous sites, Source: Sustainable Waterfront Development—A Case 

Study of Bahary in Alexandria, Egypt. 



39 

 

various activities and attractions such as historical buildings, restaurant, the 

Anfoushy cultural center and the boats workshops that had run for decades.  

The presence of variable activities and street level uses on the pedestrian paths are 

important to achieve walkability and vitality in the city. 

 In addition, multiple accesses to the waterfront provide a good accessibility to the 

different landmarks in this area: Palace Ras El Tin, The Anfoushy fish market and 

the boat workshops are connected by the Kasr Ras El Tin Street and el Morsy Abo 

El Abbas Mosque is permeable by Sidi Yakout Street. Walkable waterfront with 

activities is necessary to connect various destinations in order to attract people to the 

waterfront and achieve a desirable waterfront. 

 

Figure 13 Map showing the site accessed by the different paths of the study area, Source: Sustainable 

Waterfront Development—A Case Study of Bahary in Alexandria, Egypt. 

  

B- Uses and Activities 

 The waterfront has a variety of land uses along its perimeter. To the north 

(waterfront), there are a lot of consecutive land uses; such as the Anfoushy Cultural 

Center, boat workshops, local club, children education centre and a huge sand public 

beach that serves as an attractive recreation area. The other street side has mixed 

land uses with residential area. The residential area contains ground floor cafes and 



40 

 

restaurants with some street seating. Retail consists of many simple commercial 

shops and other service-related storefronts that add to the unique traditional style of 

the area and to reach unique designs to the Bahary Waterfront only. The most 

effective way to create a livable city and make an attractive urban form is by 

increasing activities. There are a lot of activities such as social and sports club, 

cinema and services like hospital and mosque. In addition, the waterfront thrives day 

and night throughout the year by integrated seasonal activities during different feasts 

that make users feel welcome and safe. 

 

Figure 14 Map showing the land use of the study areas, source: Sustainable Waterfront Development—

A Case Study of Bahary in Alexandria, Egypt. 

 

3.3.3 Case study three: Jaffa waterfront – Occupied Palestine  

After it existed as an independent settlement for thousands of years, in 1950 Jaffa 

was annexed to Tel Aviv and since then became a borough in the city of Tel-Aviv-



41 

 

Jaffa. Located in the south-west of the city, Jaffa occupies about 12 percent of Tel-

Aviv’s total area, and about 12 percent of its population. The Jaffa district is sub-

divided into four quarters containing 12 neighborhoods, of which ten are zoned for 

housing and two are under-populated: Old Jaffa is designated for artists, commercial 

and tourism use; Givat Herzl is zoned for trade, industry and commerce.86  

 

Figure 15 Haifa port, Source: research gate. 

 

(a) Background and development phases 

The Jaffa port is nestled at the foot of old Jaffa, on the south-western coastal strip of 

Tel Aviv-Jaffa. Historically, the port is an important landmark that connected Jaffa 

 
86 Tel-Aviv municipality, 2016 



42 

 

and the area to the world and positioned it as a significant Mediterranean focal point. 

The port has been actively used for thousands of years. 

While the port has been active for thousands of years, its current built form is mostly 

a result of construction that took place in the Ottoman (1517-1917) and British 

(1917-1947) periods. In the 19th century, the Ottoman rule decided to increase 

Jaffa’s economic activity by renovating the port. The port became a busy hub, in 

parallel to Jaffa’s urban growth (Figure 17). In 1864, the port’s lighthouse was 

initiated. In 1871, Christian Templars began to export the famous Jaffa Oranges 

through the port and in 1876, the Ottomans built a custom building at the edge of the 

docks. In 1892, the railroad from Jerusalem to Jaffa was inaugurated. 

  

Figure 16 The Port during the Ottoman Empire, Source: Eitan Eden. 

 

 

However, it was during the British Mandate (1917-1947) that the port was 

substantially developed and modernized: the British dried land and built warehouses, 

seawalls, docks, a new custom building and a new lighthouse (Figure 18). They also 

renewed the railroad, deepened the marina and introduced new mechanization 

technologies. In the 1930s, the port served as an important site of Jewish 

immigration. 



43 

 

 

Figure 17 The Port during the Ottoman Empire, Source: Eitan Eden. 

 

The port in Jaffa have been developing thorough history and during this development 

it passed by these phases.87 

Phase 1: Ottoman empire role – 1516-1917 

Phase 2: British mandate – 1917-1947 

Phase 3: port transferred to the Israeli port authority - 1948  

Phase 4: closing the airport for only commercial activities - 1965  

Phase 5: Further construction and renovation of docks - 1980s 

Phase 6: Civic campaign to stop privatization - 1993-2000s 

 

(b) The economic, social and environmental influences (port phase) 88 

The redevelopment of the port was led by the port’s new CEO and his staff, who 

came up with the development strategy through a consultation process that will be 

 
87 Nufar Avni, 2017, page 65 88 Nufar Avni, 2017, page 69 



44 

 

described in the next chapter. Overall, it was decided that the redeveloped port would 

integrate a host of uses in three 70 main areas, including: 

 a) maritime: fishing, sailing, maritime education and sports,  

b) culture: music, arts, cinema, theatre and events and 

 c) leisure: culinary offers and events, tours, entertainment and tourism.  

The physical redevelopment of the port included the upgrade and replacement of old 

infrastructure such as sewerage, pavements and lighting, renovation of the peers and 

boating areas, and the construction of new elements such as a small public square. 

The most significant change was the rehabilitation and preservation of Warehouses 

1 and 2, storage structures that were built by the British in the 1930s and still occupy 

most of the port’s built area to this day (see Figure 6). The lion’s share of the budget 

was directed towards the renovation of Warehouse 1, which was designated as the 

port’s flagship (Figure 9). 

When it was inaugurated in 2010, the revamped Warehouse 1 hosted restaurants, a 

few shops, and a food market. Warehouse 2 was modestly renovated and was 

populated with a small theatre, a few workshops, a gallery, a restaurant and some 

storage space for the fishermen (Figure 8). Warehouse 3 has not been renovated to 

date and Warehouses 4 and 5 were demolished due to safety concerns. 



45 

 

 

Figure 18 Warehouse 1.A) The southern entrance to the building (top). B) The northern 

façade. Source: Nufar Avni 

 

A negative aspect is that the harbor front and the CBD are not fully integrated. The 

railway is still underdeveloped and the road networks are not yet completed. This 

leaves unattractive open spaces. The express way is still as a boundary between the 

water’s edge and the community. Although Toronto still has a boundary between the 

water’s edge and the community, (Gounden, 2010: 41) it succeeded the best 

according to Sairinen and Kumpulainen (2005: 120-135) in involving the different 

social qualities of waterfront regeneration. 

 

(c) From Port to Waterfront89 

 the Jaffa Port Redevelopment In the last two decades, the ancient Jaffa port has 

transformed from a neglected site on the urban coast to a hub of urban development 

 
89 Nufar Avni, 2017, page 73 



46 

 

(Ben-Yehoyada, forthcoming). Joining a global trend of waterfront 

redevelopments—where ‘obsolete’ deindustrialized harbours are repurposed for 

public use—the Jaffa port has been reimagined by the city as a space of spectacle, 

‘culture’ and entertainment. Its redevelopment was supposed to bring back the 

glorious days of the past and remake the port a thriving center of labour and maritime 

activity, with a modern twist of leisure and recreation. This chapter examines the 

success of this vision from a social justice perspective, highlighting the many 

different, and sometime conflicting, interpretation of the planning process and its 

outcomes. By telling the story of the Jaffa port, I wish to emphasize the critical role 

of the port in the construction of the city’s identity, status and urban development. 

This chapter is built on 24 interviews with various stakeholders: community 

activists, planners, architects, fishermen, and others. The available policy documents 

and media coverage were also analyzed. The coding and analysis of the interviews 

and documents resulted in the identification of the five sub-themes that are discussed 

in this chapter: the “Working Port”, “Trust”, the “Fish Market”, “Whose port: Public 

Participation and Inclusion”, and “Jewish-Arab Relations”. I chose these five themes 

for their prominent role in demonstrating different aspects of justice and in 

portraying the contradictions and conflicts that have emerged throughout the 

redevelopment. Indeed, some themes overlap. For example, the section on “Jewish-

Arab relations” also refers to issues of trust, however, these were unique to the 

categories of Jewish/Arab and so they were discussed within that framework. I 

recognize, however, that there are many ways to tell the story of the port. I end with 

a discussion that ties these themes to the overarching topic of planning and justice. 



47 

 

 

Figure 19:   A diagram of the port, Source: Arnon, Levi and Maor, 2008. 

 

Chapter 4: Site Selection 

 

 

4.1 Introduction 

Waterfront development as already has been discussed is the development that faces 

the water surface, that this development could be urban or commercial or 

environmental, or industrial. With gathering every single information and the 

importance of the site selection process in planning. Each kind of development of 

the waterfront will be efficiently selected.  

Many factors will influence the best selection of a waterfront, such as population as 

a main factor, use, function, shape and many other factors.  

Evaluation of alternative sites for a new waterfront with a specific use based on 

aeronautical, cost, environmental and other parameters.  The process involves 

significant community and resource agency coordination.  Final approval of a site is 

often an urban/economic and political decision. 

Selection of a suitable site for a waterfront development should begin with an 

assessment of any existing similar projects and their location.  It is nearly always 



48 

 

easier to modify an existing waterfront than to create a new one on land that has 

previously had a different land use designation.  The assessment is made in the light 

of the prospective passenger market, its growth rate and any limitation of the growth 

resulting from, for example, a demographic shift of population.   

 

4.1.1 Residential Waterfront  

As the kind of waterfronts that mainly focuses on the urban residential use, with 

buildings mainly has the function of houses or apartments and needed services for 

it.  

 

4.1.2 Tourist Waterfront  

The kind of waterfronts where mainly the use and the buildings has a tourism 

orientation, could be formed as resorts, hotels, waterparks and beaches. 

4.2 Site Selection  

4.2.1 water surfaces  

In Palestine the main water surfaces are the dead sea, red sea, Mediterranean and 

Tiberias lake. To define which best location of these four surfaces to create a new 

urban waterfront. Mainly the analysis depended on the land use in each area. 

 



49 

 

 

Figure 20 water surfaces in Palestine. 

 

1) Tiberias lake  

The map shows the land use in Tiberias and around it, we can find out that mostly 

its surrounded with forests and farmlands, which are a highly restricted areas from 

development, and the urban center is determined with a specific border. 

 

Figure 21  Tiberias lake land use map. 

 

2) Mediterranean coast (Haifa district) 



50 

 

The map shows a potential area in the city of Haifa that could be suitable for a 

waterfront development, the city is already expanding and the existed projects needs 

redevelopment, which could be a high potential for the waterfront project. 

 

Figure 22   Mediterranean coast (Haifa district) land use map 

3) Dead sea  

Dead sea is the second big water surface in the country, and development in along it 

is rare, as long as it’s a seismic dangerous area in some locations, and mainly used 

for salt industry. Which increases its potential for such a development.  



51 

 

 

Figure 23  Dead sea land use map. 

 

4) red sea 

The red sea lies at the very southern part of Palestine, but it could represent a high 

effective location for development, and as long as the project is existed as the 

Mediterranean the waterfront would be need a redevelopment.   



52 

 

 

Figure 24 Red sea land use map. 

 

4.2.2 selected location 

After the analysis of each location, the proj