Waterfront character areas as the key elements in building the city - river relationship Bratislava, Slovakia case study

Abstract

Urban waterfronts have undergone a long process of evolution, and their functions, designs and primary uses have naturally developed along their entire length within cities. Unique character areas have emerged alongside rivers. They serve as key elements in building the city–river relationship, and represent valuable spaces with various identities that complement each other while contributing to the overall identity of the city. However, the unique place identity of the river and the city–river relationship are underestimated and not formally established. The development of waterfronts is often uncoordinated, and their full potential remains unexploited. To understand the character and nature of a particular place, the connotations that its users ascribe to it must be examined. In order to define the character elements that form the basis of the identity of waterfront character areas, we conducted a questionnaire survey and a socio-spatial analysis. The study defined the character areas of the Bratislava waterfront, highlighting their variability, distinct characters, functions, and utilisation. A vision for each character area of the Bratislava waterfront was formulated based on the defined character elements. A sensitive approach to the development of unique character areas of waterfronts can bring diversity, sustainability and inclusivity, and provide reasons to visit the river space. Character areas of waterfronts should be preserved and developed with a long-term vision while respecting the specific identity of a given place.