Planning considerations for riverfront development in mid-sized metropolitan areas

The purpose of this report was to determine planning considerations for riverfront development in mid-sized metropolitan areas. Waterfront development has been popular in large metropolitan areas with populations over one million persons, and the main question was whether waterfront development projects could be executed in mid-sized metropolitan areas with populations between 150,000 and 400,000 persons.

Lafayette, Louisiana recently completed a master plan to upgrade a small river, the Bayou Vermilion, for recreational and tourism purposes. Three case studies with similar population, water body characteristics and waterfront development programs as Lafayette were selected for this report. They are: Columbus, Georgia; Waco, Texas; and Columbia, South Carolina.

After the literature review of waterfront development projects in the large cities, the methodology of this report was field observations in these case studies. The history of the riverfront area was compiled, and its surroundings were surveyed for land use patterns. Economic and social data was gathered for the riverfront area and the local community.

Critical planning considerations were identified in this study, and they had substantial impacts upon the success of waterfront development projects in mid-sized metropolitan areas. They are listed below:

a. The Water Quality of the River

b. The Scenic Quality of the River

c. The Mix of Uses and Users in the Riverfront Area

d. Integration With the Local Community

e. The Quality of Design in the Project

f. The Stability of the Riverfront Area's Surroundings

g. The Quality of Community Leadership

h. The Long-Term Master Plan for the Riverfront Area

i. The Volume of the Convention and Tourism Business

j. The Economic Health of the Metropolitan Area

Lafayette, Louisiana was used as a prototype to test these planning considerations, and it is generally felt that Lafayette has an excellent chance of success for its Bayou Vermilion master plan.

Policy makers in mid-sized metropolitan areas need reliable criteria to evaluate the potentials of successful waterfront development in their communities. With its review of large city projects and four case studies, this report will show the importance of planning considerations to justify pub lic and private expenditures for waterfront development projects - especially in smaller metropolitan areas.