Throughout history, cities have been established along rivers, canals and coastlines. Vital to survival, these waterways enabled the movement of people and goods for the ever-growing populations that settled there. From the island of Manhattan to the canals of Venice, and further still, to the port of Shanghai, water-based mobility has played an essential role in urban development. In the modern era, cars have overshadowed the historical role of waterways, leaving many urban channels underutilised. In fact, 2023 data shows inland waterway freight at its lowest since 2005—a striking contrast to the e-commerce boom and rapid urbanisation of recent decades.
With the advent of automobiles and the creation of sprawling road networks for individual vehicle use, cities turned away from their waterways. This shift has ultimately resulted in increased road congestion, air and noise pollution, and inefficient land use, prioritising public spaces for vehicles instead of people.
Today, as cities grapple with these challenges, and aim to move towards a future with net-zero transport emissions, a renewed interest in water-based transport is emerging. Reintegrating waterways into urban mobility systems could provide a sustainable, low or no-emission alternative that eases pressure on existing infrastructure while making cities more liveable and enjoyable.
MORE INFO: EIT Urban Mobility
IMAGES FROM: EIT Urban Mobility
