Treffer: The Regeneration of Urban Riverbanks: A Dilemma Between Environmental and Social Issues: Lessons from French and Brazilian Case Studies

In this research, we investigated the environmental as well as social impacts of the regeneration of urban riverbanks and waterfronts, localities previously occupied by port-industrial activities established during the twentieth century or earlier, but more recently abandoned and occupied by informal housing and wasteland or brownfield land. The urban plans and strategies of metropolises as well as of medium-sized cities have become increasingly underpinned by the “paradigm of attractiveness,” in a context of globalization and competition between cities at an international scale. In order to become more attractive for investment, mainly foreign direct investment, cities need to improve their image and their international ranking. The recycling of the abandoned wasteland in these areas has become a policy priority. Under the banner of sustainable development, strategic plans in many cities throughout the world have thus promoted flagship projects for the regeneration of these waterfront areas, incorporating new environmental amenities.