Revamp Urban Spaces with River-First Regeneration Strategies

A “river first” approach to waterfront regeneration prioritises the ecological restoration, health, and accessibility of rivers as the foundation for urban redevelopment and community well-being. It reverses traditional practices of turning backs on rivers, instead making them vibrant, natural hubs for public space, flood management, and biodiversity to create sustainable urban environments.

Key features and better outcomes include:

🦦Re-naturalizing Channels: Moving away from concrete culverts to restore natural meanders, which reduces flood risks and increases biodiversity.
🦦Green Corridors: Transforming neglected, industrial, or hard-engineered waterfronts into Riverside Parks.
🦦Waterfront Revitalisation: Actively changing urban infrastructure to improve water quality and create sustainable, interconnected green networks.
🦦River Restoration: Specifically focuses on fixing the ecological and structural health of the waterway.
🦦Blue-Green Infrastructure Planning: Combining water (“blue”) and natural spaces (“green”) for sustainable urban design.
🦦Nature-Based Solutions (NbS): Using natural methods (e.g. wetlands, green buffers) to manage water and improve urban resilience.

Major benefits include:

🦦Improved Flood Resilience: Reducing, rather than increasing, flood risk to properties.
🦦Wellbeing and Ecology: Increasing biodiversity and creating public spaces that improve community mental and physical health.
🦦Heritage Regeneration: Reconnecting communities with the historical significance of places.
🦦Sustainable Economics: Enhancing the attractiveness of areas, creating desirable locations for both living and investment.

To find out more and hear about two landmark projects on the same watercourse join us this Wednesday 6.5.26 for 'How Rivers Anchor Regeneration and Resilience' with Duncan Paybody, Studio Egret West

We are down to the last few tickets!

🕕 6pm
📆 Wednesday 6 May
📍No.1 Royal Crescent
🎟️ https://no1royalcrescent.org.uk/whats-on/
#river #regeneration #sustainabledevelopment #regenerativedesign #waterfront