| Summary: | The once close physical, functional, economic and cultural solidarity between ports
and cities has diminished as a result of changes within both ports and their
surrounding urban areas. Spatially, ports and cities have become separated as port
structures have grown and evolved to meet the demands of trade and shipping
technology over the past few decades. This separation is exacerbated by changing
social priorities in the use of urban waterfront space and heightened interest in
quality of life issues. As the pressures affecting the urban waterfront continue to
grow, the port-city relationship has become strained.
This paper is concerned with how the relationship between ports and cities can be
improved to support the complementary development of the port with its urban
region and, at the same time, maintain the quality of life city residents have come to
expect. More specifically, this study seeks out the appropriate planning principles,
strategies and approaches that can effectively address the problems and land use
conflicts at the port-city interface.
The study begins by exploring the literature of structural and societal changes that
are affecting port city waterfronts and the conflicts that result between ports and
cities in their planning for the waterfront. In a number of cases, these challenges
are being met by the separate actions of ports and cities; however, given port-city
linkages in many issues it is revealed that there is much to be gained through the effective coordination of efforts based on shared planning principles. A review of
the Vancouver cityport confirms the port-city challenges suggested by the literature
and interviews with municipal and port representatives lend support to the concept
of port-city planning principles.
The major conclusions of this study are that ports and cities can benefit from
increased collaboration on the basis of agreed planning principles and a shared
approach to waterfront planning that recognizes each party's needs. The challenge
to be borne by city and port planners is one that seeks reconciliation, balance and
the re-building of a synergistic relationship.
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