Urban waterfronts are often seen as symbols of modern revitalisation, but beneath these promises lie social realities too often overlooked: displacement, inequality, and reshaping of communities. In this article, we examine these dimensions through the lens of the recently published book "Rivers, Cities, and People: Social Challenges of Urban Waterfront Development in Asia" by Dr Maartje van Eerd and Banashree Banerjee.
The promise and appeal of waterfront renewal
Waterfront redevelopment projects promise economic revitalisation, cleaner public spaces, and enhanced civic pride. Across Asia, rivers and coasts have been reimagined as leisure parks, mixed-use districts, and cultural magnets; this narrative mirrors broader calls for “world-class” urban environments that attract investment and tourism. Yet beneath this optimistic vision lies a pressing question: who is truly benefiting when waterfronts are redefined? For many local communities, the picture is more complex and often more uncertain.
Lived realities behind development
While developers and policymakers often emphasise economic uplift, riverside residents frequently experience marginalisation. Informal settlements and long-standing local economies that have shaped waterfront life for generations can find themselves displaced or reshaped in ways that undermine social cohesion. These communities are not passive bystanders, they are vital social fabrics with histories, livelihoods, and claims to space that deserve recognition. Understanding their experiences challenges simplistic narratives of progress and invites us to rethink what development means in practice.
Policy influence, from recognition to protection
The book explores how policy frameworks shape outcomes for waterfront communities from Asian megacities such as Lahore, Dhaka, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Bangkok, Manila and secondary cities in India. Inclusive planning practices, from participatory zoning to equitable compensation mechanisms, can help ensure that redevelopment does not reinforce inequities. The authors argue that policies must go beyond economic metrics to integrate social justice at the core of waterfront governance. This means clear legal protections, transparent decision-making, and mechanisms that empower residents to influence how their environments evolve.
"The book focuses on social issues related to displacement, land and water contestations, adequate housing and the interconnected rights to livelihoods, health and food security."
Dr Maartje van Eerd, Senior Specialist in Housing & Social Development
A balanced path toward socially just waterfronts
The book ultimately advocates for a balanced approach, one that harnesses the economic and aesthetic potentials of waterfront redevelopment while safeguarding the dignity and rights of local people. Socially just waterfronts are rooted in deep listening, inclusive strategies, and a recognition that urban spaces is not merely a commodity but a shared realm of life and livelihood. As cities continue to reimagine their waterscapes, this framework urges stakeholders to pause, reflect, and act with both ambition and caution.
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This article is based on the launch of the recently published book “Rivers, Cities, and People: Social Challenges of Urban Waterfront Development in Asia” edited by Dr Maartje van Eerd and Banashree Banerjee, (2025). Routledge, India. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003603436
