Connectivity of urban rivers and environmental justice

With the explosion of urban waterfront revitalization projects in the developed world, it is timely to reflect on the relations between cities and their rivers: how the rivers influenced development of the cities, how cities have treated their riverfronts since 19th century, and how the spatial relations of city and river constrain and enable improved connectivity between urban populations and their rivers. Both celebrated as revitalizing neglected urban centers and criticized for displacing the disenfranchised populations, riverfront revitalization projects raise questions about what constitutes ‘restoration’ in cities, to what degree natural processes and ecological values can be restored…