Port-as-place: Rethinking ways ports can unlock innovation, placemaking, and growth

Ports have always been more than gateways for trade and transport; they represent opportunities to add economic, social, cultural and environmental value, with the potential to enhance the livability and competitiveness of cities and regions. Port operators must increasingly reimagine (and renegotiate) precious waterfront land in the face of rising housing demands, environmental imperatives, and changing economic pressures.

In the face of these challenges, we encourage a rethinking of “Port-as-Place” destinations which integrate and celebrate working harbour and maritime needs with positive, inclusive, and diverse placemaking through three key steps:

Evidence the Port’s Role in Future Growth

Quantifying the importance of a port’s operations to the growth aspirations of a region is essential to building stakeholder support. Infrastructure investment generates direct and indirect economic benefits, including employment, tax revenues, investment opportunities, and value-added activities such as research and innovation. Maritime trade also can play an important role in reducing the carbon impact of supply chains, and “blue economy” activities are increasing present in climate-focused economic transformation. 

Envision the Future

Visions are the workhorse of “future planning.” Successful visions signal a level of ambition to external stakeholders, outlining an authentic and differentiated aspiration for the future. Clear and compelling visions should align stakeholders, refocusing collective efforts toward unified progress. Ultimately, visions attract and inspire action – in the form of investment, participation, and public support -- providing a roadmap for realising unique maritime-related spaces for people to work, live, and visit.

Placemake with Purpose

Master planning ports into vibrant, mixed-use destinations requires translating the vision into a guide for future growth and development. Effective master plans are based on a solid evidence base of local needs, current and future trends, challenges, and opportunities associated with the port and its region. Innovating built environment responses that balance competing port and public needs is at the heart of an integrated and resilient port master plan to enhance port operation and safety, environmental performance, social acceptance, and economic competitiveness and growth.

Port-as-Place Success: Port Authority New South Wales

Hatch partnered with the Port Authority of New South Wales to create a strategic vision for The Bays Port in Sydney, Australia. This “Integrated Port Plan” explored pairing important industrial port activities with urban renewal, environmental regeneration, blue economy uses, and public amenity.

Hatch developed an evidence-based future growth plan for port operations and a consultation plan that included Port Authority customers, government agencies, community groups, and port executives. The resulting long-term strategic vision and masterplan leverage the port’s maritime heritage assets, providing a distinctive and diversified platform for visitors, residents, and businesses. The project also includes green initiatives that transform port operations whilst aligning with and contributing to New South Wales’ net-zero, as well as set the stage for a positive citizen engagement and visitor experience.

Reimagining the Future: Belfast Waterfront

In Belfast, Northern Ireland, Hatch identified strategic, local investment opportunities to facilitate the regeneration of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) of waterfront promenade enhancement. Hatch collaborated with technical and design partners to develop tangible recommendations and design interventions with clear, strategic merit and attainable funding pathways. The plan also leveraged socio-economic evidence and visioning expertise to create a compelling case for change, aligning varied stakeholders to a shared vision and a shortlist of priority projects.

Learn more here: Belfast Waterfront Regeneration

Charting a future course of action

Port operators throughout the world are increasingly turning to innovation and evidence-led placemaking to unlock shared growth – for the port, the city, and the value chain of people and businesses they share. By adopting a placemaking approach, introducing digital technology and automation, and fostering economic development and social impact, ports can create attractive and inclusive spaces and generate direct and indirect benefits for their regions.

Contact Hatch to find out more about our innovative port as place capabilities.