Urban River Revitalization Across the Globe

Urban Times offers a list of 13 urban river renewal projects spanning from Medellin to Manila.

1 minute read

June 14, 2014, 9:00 AM PDT

By Michael Newton


Brooklyn Bridge Beach

Courtesy WXY Architecture + Urban Design / Brooklyn Bridge Beach detail, part of WXY's East River Blueway Plan

In this eclectic list of 13 projects, the size scope and locations reveals a hopeful commitment to allowing natural spaces with water back into the most populated human realm.

Among some of the more obscure projects include a floating school project on the Makoko River in Lagos, Nigeria which aims to create a sustainable, alternative building system. The best part is that while conceptual, the project begins as a school: "it is scalable and adaptable for other uses, such as a community hub, health clinic, market, entertainment centre or housing." Then there is New York's hyped +Pool, which builds a swimming area atop the Hudson's polluted waters, "by water-filtering river water so that it’s clean enough for everybody to swim in."

Wednesday, June 11, 2014 in Urban Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business