Because of their strategic dimension, rivers have long played a major role in urban development by facilitating trade as well as cultural and technological exchanges between cities. After several decades of neglect, they seem to arouse the interest of architects, town-planners and policymakers again. This trend is reflected by the way rivers are now used to develop innovative urban infrastructures or to experiment new mobility modes.
A floating bicycle path in London
A consortium of architects, engineers and artists unveiled the project of a floating bicycle path along the Thames. The so-called “Thames Deckway” aims at making London a more bicycle-friendly city by proposing a solution to the traffic, pollution and safety issues encountered by cyclists in the British capital.
The cycleway would run for about 11 kilometres from Battersea in the west to Canary Wharf in the east. Riders would access it using ramps located along its route. Refreshment kiosks would also be installed to let riders take a rest on their way. Deezen
Surfing in Munich?
In Munich’s Eisbach River you can find something not as common as in other big city rivers. The biggest urban surfing spot is right in the middle of the city, at the Englischer Garten, where thousands of surfers come along and enjoy this natural wonder.
It’s a 1 meter high wave that was accidentally created when concrete blocks where placed in the river to stop the current. The legislation of city river surfing was approved, so now it can be openly enjoyed by everyone. A unique opportunity for urban surfers who can now put on their wetsuits and go surfing in Munich! Pop-up City
Explore cities through the “We are on a Boat” App
Do you want to see a city in a different way? Meet new people and have a nice time? We are on a Boat app was created by a small creative studio in Amsterdam called Little Nice Things.
The app consists in matching people who would like to be on a boat, with people who are willing to share their boat.
You can register either as a captain or as a passenger and will be matched depending on what you are looking for. You don’t pay for your boat ride directly. Instead there is a reward system that depends on the passenger or the captain.
Explore cities from the water and have a unique experience! Wired
Take a swim in New York City
+Pool is an initiative that will bring a twist to the life of New Yorkers. The idea of the project is to build a floating pool on the East River. It will have the same functionalities as a water filter, meaning that it will clean the river water in order to make it swimmable.
New York City is surrounded by water but there are no places for people to swim nearby during the hot summer. With +Pool New Yorkers will be able to do it right in their “backyard”.
The project was funded through Kickstarter and people were encouraged to buy a brick and put their names on it in order to make it a collective property. Huffingtonpost