Waterfront Comprehensive Plan GIS †Free Samples to Students

Question: Discuss about the Waterfront Comprehensive Plan GIS. Answer: Introduction: This principle creates and promotes the connection between the waterfront space and the available hinterland (Hein, 2016). The space around these natural water bodies have been used for different purpose including establishing centers to promote sustainable urban development and settlements. Meanwhile, these activities are aimed at causing minimal disruptions to the existing ecosystem. Therefore, there is always a considerable effort being directed at ensuring that the fundamental accessibility techniques are integrated in the design of natural as well as artificial forms of waterfronts. For instance, there are design features that have been established to physically and socially connect the mainland to the offshore structures and islands. More advanced technology has been applied in the construction of bridges to create this linkage. Hydrophilicity is the tendency of the humans to be attracted to water resources like rivers, seas and lakes and their surroundings. Naturally, water bodies like lakes and rivers do create perfect natural scenery in other words they do create a hydrophilic visual impression City centre function entails mixed multipurpose elements with attractive social amenities to serve the general public (Lagarense and Walansendow, 2014). For example, the Baltimore pool where the regions economic status has been boosted by the promotion of tourism and recreational adventures, thanks to the hydrophilic nature of people. This was adopted by the implementation of the comprehensive recreational business district. Besides, Han river is another example where both sides of the land surrounding the river has been arranged with urban debris. Connectedly, this has generated a number of scenic spots , each serving cultural significance and embodying both social and economical supports to the urban development. Consequently, the following amenities have mushroomed: leisure zones, commercial complexes, industrial heritages, cultural arts district, city terrace, city parlour, business renaissance, moonlight cultural spots and cultural theme parks all beautifully aligned along the e dges of the riverside. As mentioned earlier, it is crucial to maintain the natural forms such as rivers and lakes against human and industrial interference. The human activities must support the conservation efforts of these natural resources. In fact, with proper conservation measures in place, the available natural water sources can be used to sustainably supply clean water for domestic use hence supporting the urban life abundantly. In this section we revisit some of the case examples that have successfully been restored into sustainable and eco-friendly sources. Notably, the residences are promoting tourism and other commercial activities in a great way. The management of the area is under the local municipality which adopts and implements sound protection measures against urbanization and other emerging factors. Lakes are large water bodies that are located on land. These essential water sources are still in deep problems as human activities that sometimes is driven by greed has taken over some of the lakes globally and caused further deterioration (Abreu, SalinasClusener-Godt, 2016). Admittedly, Hamarby is a classic case among the establishments that grew from failed states. Planned in 1996, the project stalled temporarily before its completion. However, later, it picked up and today, it is among the most advanced fashion models of a waterfront within the lake scenery. It has transformed the old collapsing industrial district into modern urban area(Gentle, 1996). In Stockholm, about 12 urban structures are aligned such that the local terrain is beautifully integrated with these structures and has even influenced the upcoming architectural designs and layout from the regional characteristics such as form, density, public space, layout form, structure, style and colors are all made to be in harmony with the general form and landscape of the area. Additionally, the green economy concept has been implemented in this area as well. This is exemplified through the establishment of the green buildings, green energy technology, and sustainable water management. For instan ce, the rain water is normally collected and reused within the urban settlement. River is a naturally flowing water course. Unfortunately, like lakes, rivers are also being destroyed by human activities. The river waterfronts designs are incorporated in order to restore natural look of the river (Gyawalia et al, 2012). Waterfronts have also seen the nearby commercial property value being raised. In fact, waterfronts are now becoming prime catalysts for redevelopment of urban centers (De Sousa, 2002). Consequently, the development of infrastructure in such areas is taking a new dimension where relatively costs of establishing the infrastructure are considerably lowered. Furthermore, private developers are given more incentives to further develop these areas as tourism is greatly promoted. According to De Sousa (2002) total public benefits of green field development grew by 27%. Notably, urban river waterfronts are now being integrated in the urban planning. Recreational facilities are coming up around these waterfronts. Notably, location of waterfronts can be in P eninsula, bay, banks of rivers and banks of intersecting rivers. Therefore, land in such areas is put into proper use. The waterfronts mostly symbolize the cultural heritage of a place (Ikechukwu, 2015). Conservation efforts and restoration has seen many rivers brought back to life like it happened in Australia. The Alexender River is one such example. According to ERRC (2014) in 1996, the river was in a bad state making it to be unattractive for social events. But with much efforts coupled with active participation from the locals, the river and its waterfront was greatly restored. Once it was restored, the design of the waterfront was done to fortify and give it both social and cultural significance. Notably, however, all these result from a long-term restoration endeavor that is often sponsored by both local and central governments with the blessings of the local community. Admittedly, urban waterfronts can be turned into special socio-economic zones for the betterment of the locals. Besides, other activities such as fishing are supported by the design. Most successful urban waterfronts come up as a result of sound planning, creativity, innovation, and comprehensiveness, sense of place, delicate balance, uniqueness and patience The sea, as will be seen in many case examples, can successfully turn around the socio-economic status of the natives and the local community. Notably, urban waterfronts in these regions are developed either in the inner or outer sea. The inner portions have sustainably supported lives through the developments of innovative infrastructure that are in sync with nature (Gosling, 1985) . For instance, the Alabam coastline was developed using the artificial reefs (mostly made of concretes) which has seen a major boost in fishing activities as they often supplement the natural habitat of fish. Secondly, in the Gulf of Mexico, the faural life has greatly been promoted as well, thanks to the additional artificial structures that do provide the required oceanic life anchorage. However, there are emerging challenges in the wake of these developments. Due to a boost in the oceanic life, the human living conditions have greatly improved so are the human activities. If conservation programs are not rolled out during the early stages then the negative impacts of human activities would be noticed in the course of these developments. For instance, human activities such as growth of chemical industries and oil extraction normally leave the sea more polluted. Therefore, sustainable sea programs are normally encouraged where its objective, according to Lane (no year) is to increase the marine resources utilization with the environmental and biological constraints still in the picture. In New Zealand, for instance, there is a need to strike a balance between the offshore oil extraction prospects and the infrastructural development that support fishing and tourism. Notably, oil extraction activities have seen pollution of sea water rise especially due to post-oil extr action policies like enforcement of restoration and conservation programs by the concerned oil company. Admittedly, policymakers are now shifting the focus to find creative ways to integrate the two such that oil extraction activity can support tourism and fishing. For example, nowadays, in some cases, the cables and pipelines are being used as artificial reefs which then provide habitats for fish and aquatic animals; in other words it has boosted the ecological balance in those regions. Additionaly,in Shenzen Qianhaiday, the maritime theatre constitute a place where the barroque principle is actively engaged such that the floating objects and theatre stages are installed in special occasions. Furthermore, the Alamo becomes one of the famous cultural centres thanks to the attractive waterfront establishment. In the ecological front, conservation efforts have mainly been achieved by establishment of isolated groups of greenbelts (Dyson and Yocom, 2014). Besides, one of the confronting issues was how to resuscitate the sinking old towns. Flooding of cities has been a common occurrence in most Chinese cities and therefore flood control strategies must be integrated in these urban centers. Besides, due to rapid urbanization, these towns were facing eminent danger of being overstretched with the social and economic pressures from the heavy influx of people. Notably, therefore, there has been need to address the challenges by adopting sustainable approaches and principles hence China came up with the idea of sponge city program. Sponge city development is a new ecological sustainability program in China that is aimed at restoring the dilapidated status of the cities due to human and industrial encroachments. Industrial encroachment has occurred as a result of both air and solid-waste pollution. Air-pollution has resulted to increased global warming while solid-waste pollution has made some cities to choke such that natural waterways are blocked hence leading to flooding on the streets. Besides, due to rapid urbanization where rural to urban migration continues to grow steadily, the available land is becoming insufficient and unsustainable to accommodate the growing population; consequently, due to demand for space, the natural ecosystem is being altered as people encroach on the natural water ways. According to Wang (2015), a sponge city is defined as a city that is supposed to absorb all of the rainwater that it receives stores and allow for reuse of the same without wrecking havoc on the urban ecosystem. Synonymously, it is supposed to act like a sponge; soaking in all the waters at ago without excess overflow. By 2015, the government of China had earmarked about 16 cities as pilot projects for the said program. According to Wang (2015), these include: Qianan (Hebei Province) Baicheng (Jilin Province) Zhenjiang (Jiangsu Province) Jiaxing (Zhejiang Province) Chizhou (Anhui Province) Xiamen (Fujian Province) Pingxiang (Jiangxi Province) Jinan (Shandong Province) Hebi (Henan Province) Wuhan (Hubei Province) Changde (Hunan Prvince) Nanning (Guangxi Province) Chongqing Suining (Sichuan Province) Guian New District (Guiyang and Anshun City, Guizhou Province) Xixian New District (Xian and Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province With the threat of rapid urbanization and climate change menace, the economic performance if such cities would surely undergo challenges if amicable solutions were not to be found. It should be noted that the development of more advanced urban waterfronts would promote the city economic status and lead to expansion of more employment opportunities. The modern urban ecosystems where programs such as sponge city developments are being implemented are unrelentingly expanding opportunities for further economic growth. For instance, the resulting social parks could attract a number of sporting and gaming activities. Notably, sport fishing is an activity that can be implemented in such parks such that people come together and in the process boosting their socio-economic lives (Hein, 2016). Besides, public infrastructure and amenities are greatly improved. The sustainable programs provide livable environments where various talents can be nurtured. Additionally, specific spatial location in the city can be in adjacent areas and within the natural catchments likes rivers, sea so that the range be about 200 to 300m depth besides the water body. This then would promote further urban regeneration, livable colony, tourism and leisure centre; apart from being an ecological reserve (Na and Cinn, 2017). 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An Analysis on the Planning and Design of New York City Waterfront Comprehensive Plan Using the GIS - Focused on the Comprehensive Waterfront Plan in 1992 and 2011 -. Journal of KIBIM, 7(1), pp.9-17.