Urban and Social Impacts of Waterfronts Development, Case Study: Jeddah Corniche

Abstract

Waterfront development has always been a common topic of interest in urban studies. Through the special nature of coastal areas, urban development of these places has its own characteristics that influenced by the typology, view, land value and environmental factors.

In addition, social factors, that include community characteristics, local culture and traditions affect and receive effects from this development. Development of waterfronts plans should adhere to the notion that the waterfront is an inherently public asset.

Planning a waterfront development, required the city officials or a developer to start by envisioning a network of well-connected, multi-use public spaces that fit with the community's shared goals. By orienting waterfront revitalization around public spaces, new urban design should enhance the quality of existing destinations and that results in a whole city identity that is greater than the sum of its parts.

This research discusses both urban and social impacts of waterfronts development, taking Jeddah Cornish development as a case study.

The research aims at pointing out the main impacts of waterfront development on both Jeddah Urban development and social development. The research's methodology follows both quantitative and qualitative methods, and conducting a community survey that measure the main impacts of Cornish Jeddah development project.

The research concludes the main impacts of waterfront development to assure its sustainability.