Discussing the Future of Waterfronts, Near & Far, at Placemaking Week 2024
from left to right: Ramon Marrades, Director, Placemaking Europe; Anna McCorvey, Senior Equitable Development Manager, Building Bridges Across the River; Kurt Grimes, Program Manager, A. Philip Randolph Institute San Francisco; Laurie Schwartz (Moderator), President, Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore
Project for Public Spaces’ 4th International Placemaking Week conference took place on June 5–8, 2024, in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, co-hosted by the Neighborhood Design Center. The multi-day gathering of over 400 public space leaders emphasized hands-on learning, off-site exploration, and innovative social events, leaving behind a public space legacy in the host city.
Waterfront Partnership was present at the conference, with staff attending panels, assisting with mobile workshops, and even presenting and moderating a few key panels focused on waterfronts near and far.
Laurie Schwartz, President of Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore, was a key panelist in the discussion reflecting on the Inner Harbor 2.0 plan that was published more than a decade ago. The discussion focused on the transformation of Baltimore's Inner Harbor from an industrial waterfront to a celebrated destination and model for waterfront redevelopment. The Inner Harbor 2.0 plan aimed to create a more inclusive waterfront for all Baltimore residents. The panel included moderators and panelists such as Michael Humes from Mahan Rykiel Associates, Laurie Schwartz, Adam Genn from MCB Real Estate, Jacqueline Bershad from National Aquarium, and Amelle Schultz from Ayers Saint Gross. The panelists discussed the past and future vision of Baltimore's waterfront and how the community has contributed to shaping the waterfront's identity.
from left to right: Michael Humes (moderator), Senior Associate, Mahan Rykiel Associates; Laurie Schwartz, President, Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore; Adam Genn, MCB Harborplace, Vice President; Jacqueline Bershad, VP Planning & Design, National Aquarium; & Amelle Schultz, Principal, Ayers Saint Gross
Laurie Schwatz was also a moderator during a portion of the closing plenary focused on conversations on the "The Future of Waterfronts" alongside: Ramon Marrades, Director of Placemaking Europe; Anna McCorvey, Senior Equitable Development Manager of Building Bridges Across the River, and Kurt Grimes, Program Manager of A. Philip Randolph Institute San Francisco.
Waterfront Partnership's Marketing Director, Aaron Cuison, moderated a Short Talks session," On the Waterfront: Making Rivers & Harbors into Community Destinations," featuring quick-fire presentations focused on activating, managing, or developing waterfronts. The panelists covered topics such as the power of temporary public art in waterfront placemaking and successful private-public partnerships in revitalizing waterfronts to create international destinations.
Fells Point local Bryce Turner showcased his designs for the future park at Annapolis City Dock and how it transforms an often flooded parking lot into a more functional, people-focused space with active and passive flood protection. Diane Ruggiero, Director, City of Alexandria Office of the Arts, told the story of how a vacant asphalt lot at Alexandria Waterfront Park became an outdoor gallery for interactive sculptural exhibitions.
These placemaking strategies mirror the Waterfront Partnership's efforts to activate spaces like Rash Field Park and the Inner Harbor Amphitheater. Whether we are designing park amenities focused on user interaction or creating shade structures to provide a much-needed amenity, placemaking has been a core of how the Waterfront Partnership invites everyone to enjoy Baltimore's Waterfront.
from left to right: Catherine Ferrer, Place 4 Consulting; Andrew Gustafson, Vice President, Turnstile Tours & Studio; Taylor Mathiesen, President, Quay North Urban Development; Kelsea McCrary, Chief Cultural and Economic Development Officer, City of Monroe, Louisiana; Bryce Turner, President, BCT Design Group; & Aaron Augustine R. Cuison, Marketing Director, Waterfront Partnership
Lets further the discussion, the Waterfront Partnership is available for speaking engagement locally and abroad. Contact us at Info@waterfrontpartnership.org
