Riverfronts

A large crowd gathers on the banks of the River Seine on a sunny day in Paris.

River Scenes: How Rivers Contribute to More Vibrant Urban Communities

The role of rivers in urban areas shifted in recent years from production to consumption. Now, access to a river's waterfront has become a highly valued amenity within cities.

April 13, 2022 - Martha Frish

Truckee River

A New Frontier for Urban Revitalization: Creeks

As more cities embrace small waterways for public and private development opportunities, experts caution about the risks of trusting existing resources on environmental risk along variable waterways.

March 4, 2022 - The New York Times

St. Paul Redevelopment

Details of St. Paul Riverfront Plans Emerge

A plan to remake the St. Paul riverfront, and potentially revitalize the downtown office market, took its first steps forward this week.

April 12, 2019 - St. Paul Pioneer Press

Riverfront Open Space

Mayor Emanuel Wants to Open More of the Chicago River to the Public

Plans to double the length of publicly accessible riverfront will be included in Mayor Rahm Emanuel's State of the City address tonight.

April 16, 2018 - Chicago Sun Times

Tampa

Tampa Approves Big Riverfront Park Renovation

The Tampa City Council approved a big, ambitious park proposal for 23 neglected acres along the Hillsborough River.

May 26, 2016 - Tampa Bay Times

Pittsburgh Redevelopment Happening on Riverfront Property

With the economic benefit of redevelopment along Pittsburgh's river well understood, it's time to survey all the new and reused riverfront properties coming online.

January 1, 2016 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

$4.1 Billion Return on Riverfront Parks Investments in Pittsburgh

According to a recent study, $130 million invested in the Three River Park has multiplied into $4.1 billion in development around the riverfront.

May 8, 2015 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Tampa Plans to Update Riverfront Park

Tampa has hired Denver-based Civitas to lead the planning effort in the sorely-needed renovation of Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park. Mayor Bob Buckhorn supports the plan to renovate the 23-acre waterfront park.

June 11, 2014 - Tampa Bay CL

New Riverfront Rail Trail in America's "Most Livable City"

Pittsburgh is smoothing over the residue of its industrial past, turning an abandoned railway into a waterfront park, Paige Miller reports.

April 6, 2012 - Smart Growth America

New Riverfront for Minneapolis

The city of lakes ironically gets a redesigned riverfront, as was unveiled by the city's Park and Recreation Board. Click for more and the video of the winning design.

March 9, 2011 - THE DIRT

The Forgotten River of Kolkata

The Hooghly River runs right through Kolkata, India, but it remains largely behind the scenes and caved in by factories and industrial uses. Some voices are calling for the city to embrace its river and reorient itself around the amenity.

November 27, 2009 - The Times Of India

Rediscovering the River

Chicago's river has often played second fiddle to its lakefront. A new riverwalk hopes to change that.

June 29, 2009 - Chicago Tribune

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Websites

The best of the Internet—since 2002.

Top Apps

Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.