Identity on the Waterfront

Abstract

Using the existing natural landscape and infrastructure that has been forgotten to help reconnect the identity of the town to its waterfront. Reintroducing identity to a town can help improve the quality of the town. Many communities experience an identity crisis at some point in their history, especially after large changes have been made to the area. The downtown core can have a major impact in bringing an identity to these towns, and an even larger impact if it fails. If a town loses its commercial strip, the town starts to become a large neighbourhood. Large neighbourhoods are often victims of urban sprawl, which eliminates the walkability of a town, decreases the sense of community and often become bedroom communities (communities where the majority of the people work outside of their community). Focusing on creating an identity for a town can have many positive effects. It becomes easier to market the town for tourism and gives the residents a reason to participate in activities and shopping located within the town, instead of leaving.