Waterfronts are settlements, civilizations or commercial developments that come up along water bodies like rivers, coastal regions or lakes, acting as lifelines for development of cities.
The economic and historical significance of many a city speaks of the glorious waters flowing through it. The waterfronts have the potential to become the cultural and heritage hubs of these cities that lie on the bank of the rivers and attract people from the city and also tourists to spend time. Thus, waterfronts have emerged as the lively urban core of cities.
There are different types of waterfronts like Riverfront, Lakefront and Seafront based on the source of water in the city. The creation of waterfront is considered as a better commercial idea for transforming an otherwise underutilized area into a booming centre of tourism, culture, leisure and business.
The development of riverfronts typically includes the activities like Boat trips,Shopping,Petty shops,Restaurants , Theme parks , Parks, Parking lots , Walk ways , Sitouts etc.
The development of seafronts typically includes the activities like Water sports,Deep sea touring, Commercial complexes , Hotels, Restaurants, Bars, Cinemas , Shops, Ocean aquarium, Scuba diving etc.
Waterfront development can pull the waterfront areas from marginal use and neglect into the mainstream of public activity and private investment. Cities enjoy increased tourism, employment and growth. This amenity would attract significant new high quality investment, and encourage people once again to approach the water—an instinct lost during a century of industrialization. Most importantly, a vital and vibrant waterfront serves to unite residents and visitors in a shared experience of the city. It is in that daily exchange of ideas and points of view that a city finds the energy and desire to continually improve and remake itself.
Mangaluru has been identified as one of the major towns in Karnataka State which either lie on the coast or have a river source. There are 20 major towns of the state with available waterfronts.Based on the criterias like Accessibility by road/ rail , Growth Potential of town & Proximity to tourist locations, Mangaluru has been ranked first. Mangaluru has very high potential to grow in this area because of Arabian sea and the rivers like Phalguni, Nandini etc. that flow here.