Public or private waterfront?

Private waterfront apartments in Giudecca in Venice

In Venice the water is public space. It functions as the main infrastructure to move within the city. Moving on land is merely something extra offered. The relationship between buildings and water is as in a street in an ordinary urban structure. Walls of private houses are also the walls of public space. But is this relationsship seen elsewhere? Some places old warehouses by rivers or canals have been transformed into hotels or apartments, where you can catch fish from the balcony or just enjoy the character of the water beneath.

Universal design in Venice

Elevator in Venice

Even Venice is accessible despite it's bridges and canals. Here is an example with an elevator by Canal Grande.

Stavanger hosts the Waterfront synopsis conference 2010

This year Stavanger hosts the waterfront synopsis conference 2010.  The conference is arranged by NUDA (Nordic Urban Design Association) More information here: www.nuda.no

Channel of Tønsberg

An old harbor dating back to the age of vikings, now a new waterfront with a relaxed atmosphere

New living in Amsterdam

 

New housing in Amsterdam in the spirit of the old structures of private houses with a narrow front towards the canal. Here different architect made their piece. Nice, but a bit disappointing when you find that the houses are copied and pasted through several blocks on this island.

Meeting Venice

 

A favourite! Coming to Venice by train across the lagoon and leaving the railway station to this open square towards Canal Grande leading into a labyrinth of splendour and mystery.

Bird-diving

 

From Totenvika by the lake Mjøsa in Norway.