Waterfront Research

Assignment

Answer the following questions with text, images and diagrams.

Why did you chose this city?

Having visited Boston in January of 2012 I was intrigued by many aspects of the city. I knew it’s a port city with a thriving waterfront comprising many recent projects. As I was only there for two days—and being more educated now—it’s a great city to research.

Boston Harbor, as seen from ICA (one of many recent additions to the waterfront) on a blustery night in January 2012

What was the waterfront used from in the history?

Boston was a major port in early history of the US colonies. Native Americans used it, and the colonists expanded it, turning Boston into one of the largest cities in the colonies. Famous events in US history, such as the Boston Tea Party took place here.
Over time, other ports began to surpass Boston in trade volume. First Philadelphia in the 1750s and later New York in the 1800s.

Detail of Boston Waterfront from 1722 Bonner Map

What caused the change at the waterfront?

While the waterfront is still used for shipping, changes in the industry have allowed for additional new uses. As in many other locations, landfill has been added literally changing the shape of the coastline. The "Big Dig", the infamous project relocating the elevated highway below ground, helped restore the connection between the city and waterfront.

What are the new uses?

Very similar to Lower Manhattan, the Boston Harbor is currently a mix of commercial, residential, leisure, and historic uses.
On the water side, the port is still used for container shipping and automobiles. The cruise industry is also taking hold there.

What are the transportation systems and the access to the waterfront?

The waterfront is easily accessed by all forms of transportation. Foot, bike, car, public transportation (bus and subway) and ferry are all viable options. Even the airport is located at the waterfront.
The "Harborwalk" is a great system of paths along the entire waterfront—close to 50 miles!—that connects many different sites and features of Boston's harbor. Their work also allows for people to create different tours along the walk and just provides for a nice place for people to relax at the water. Notably, New York City is doing something similar with the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway, but Boston started 20 years earlier. 

How does the waterfront attract people?

Aside from the people that live or work there, the Boston Waterfront attracts visitors with its wide range of leisure activities.
The history of the city attracts many visitors. They will often visit the waterfront, especially as that is where the Tea Party took place.

What are the amenities?

Hotels, restaurants, shops, museums, parks and history are some of the amenities attracting locals and visitors alike.
A full calendar, with events like beer tastings, music, and boat races happening daily helps encourage return visits.
The waterfront is very child friendly, many events have them in mind, and the Boston Children's Museum—one of most influential in the world—is located on a pier.

What type of retail/commercial/residential are at the waterfront?

The neighborhood around the Boston waterfront is a popular business destination. There is a lot of office space (not unlike Lower Manhattan) with many lunch and after-work spots, catering to that demographic. There are also convention centers, medical conventions are common here, and hotels serving the attendees. Some of these are on piers right on the water.Residences are mostly luxury condos, again, often on piers.

What type of public spaces are there?

With the Harborwalk providing access, the waterfront is loaded with parks, piers, and plazas that can be accessed by the public. Many of the buildings have some public space as well, be it outdoor space or an indoor lobby.

What is successful about this waterfront development?

The Boston waterfront is quite successful in that it's keeping up with the changing times and uses. No portions of the waterfront are lying there, and getting decrepit and scary due to lack of use. It's interesting to see how the city still uses the harbor as a hub. While there is less passenger ship traffic than in the past, the waterfront is still well accessed and used as a place to convene.
The wide variety of museums are some of the biggest draws for a visitor who isn't there for a convention.

What is not successful about this waterfront?

Some of the buildings on piers seem like wasted opportunities, like they were thrown up quickly and cheaply, without much thought for use and design, when the shipping industry left that pier. Portions of it seem second rate, almost like the destroyed Pier 17 at South Street Seaport in New York City.
The waterfront also seems underutilized as a public amenity in the winter. More events can be hosted, even when al fresco dining is not an option. This may just be indicative of the town and the hours they keep.