Urban watercources (by Bianka Covic)

Urban watercourses influence the way in which cities are created and impact their future form. It can be seen that there is a complex relationship between humans and water, and manipulation of watercourses within the urban environment that occurred since the beginning of civilization and such relationship will be greatly discussed. Moreover, there are various ways in which urban watercourses can be changed and motivations behind actions change depending on area, culture and region. This can be seen in London as covering rivers became a popular method of improving sanitation and Melbourne where there was a drive to improve sanitation and decrease flooding. The effects of shaping, covering and changing urban watercourses are ever present and have cultural, environmental and social repercussions, both positive and negative. This can be seen in the Chenggyecheon river restoration project, which has been the biggest day lighting project in history. It can be seen that urban watercourses are something of great complexity and no two cities tell the same story.

 

Throughout history it can be seen that cities have been built on, over or near a river or ocean. Being close to a continuous water supply allows for cities to develop a port of trade for the exchange of goods, water its citizens and the growth of crops. But who was the first city to actually change the watercourse it was located near? As seen in the reading, it was Mesopotamia who was one of the first major civilizations to channel and divert water from the rivers to enhance crop growth (Douglas, 2013). Other contributions that led to development and changes of the urban watercourses were the flooding (which led to a canal system) and the disposition of salt, which would knock back crop growth (Douglas, 2013). Populations will fluctuate and eventually decline if a water supply is inadequate. This is purely because the relationship that exists between humans and water is one that is inextricable. We cannot survive without water and it is integral to a huge array of daily living tasks such as growing crops, bathing us, watering us, helping us exchange and navigate to areas. This relationship is one that has existed from the beginning of civilization and has continued to shape society today.

 

It can be seen that urban watercourses are always under going change and practices are adapted for each unique area. An important aspect that needs to be recognized is water is part of nature and is attracted to the geomorphology of the land. This can be seen, as various closed rivers will still meander in concrete tunnels. It is important that we do not forget, how much strength and power natural resources have, and this can be seen on larger scales such as disastrous and life-claiming flooding as discussed in the readings. It can be seen that there is a cultural and economic driver behind undergrounding these rivers. Floods have known to cause such extravagant losses (such as 145,000 in 1931 due to the Yangtze flooding (Douglas, 2013) that have long lasting influences on society. It puts a nation in a state of emergency, costs huge volumes of money, alters the work force and can even slow down areas such as reproduction. It is within human nature to grieve, and at such large numbers as such, this process will still be incredibly haunting and raw, even after a long time. At first when Douglas (2013) discussed that laws are in place in the Netherlands to prevent such large damages after floods it seemed obscure, that one can have a law against something that is just doing what is natural. However, upon discussing and analyzing how huge and crushing the effects of floods are it almost seems rationale. However, flooding is not the only motivation behind covering over rivers, one of the greatest influences was for increased sanitation. 

 

 Covering of urban watercourses is evident in numerous cities including London, Melbourne and China. In the Sanitary Dark Age it could be seen that sewage was often recycled back into the drinking water leading to huge outbreaks of disease and the reason behind many deaths (Lancaster, 2015). It can be seen that the Industrial revolution led by the United Kingdom saw all urban rivers covered by the 15^th Century with more than 12 now lost underground, these rivers were later integrated as part of the sewer system after the Great Stink (Lancaster, 2015). Such covering was also seen in Melbourne, due to the dangerous flooding, erosion and sewage that led to the marvelous ‘smellbourne’. However, all coverings occurred a long time ago, is it time for us to look into day lighting these rivers? Surely, we are at an era of such technological advancements that it could be possible and we would be able to educate our communities on how to adequately deal with them. Such day lighting has been seen in the Cheonggycheon River Restoration project, yet before it can be deemed as something all cities should do, it is necessary to critically analyze if it has been successful or not.

 

The Cheonggyecheon River Restoration project is the largest day lighting project in history. As discussed in the lecture, its motivations included the end of the highways design life and the surrounding area had minimal greenery, cafes and lacked tourist interactive elements. This can be seen in Fig 1.

  

 

Not only does the Cheonggyecheon project provide protection for a once in a 200-year flood, it has increased biodiversity, reduced the Urban Heat Island, increased tourists to the area and promoted a boom in property near by as it is now located near a picturesque river, such results can be seen in Fig 2.

 

 

However, despite all positives, it is necessary to question, will it continue to be beneficial to the citizen quality of life and has it been successful in its application? My conclusion is that everyone will hold various opinions and time will further tell of its success. However, regardless of opinions, it is a tremendous effort that out to be celebrated, it is of huge scale and can be taken as an example of what other major cities could do around the world, unearth natural features that once shaped the natural landscapes. It should also be discussed to what extent should day lighting occur. To me, it is not something that could occur on every single underground river in major cities such as London and Melbourne, but it is a representation of what the future holds. Cities such as London and Melbourne are extensively established and the surrounding structures may not simply allow for all rivers to be day lighted.

 

Urban watercourses are a fundamental part to any city, ancient of current. It can be seen that they have shaped our past Cities such as Mesopotamia and also current day cities such as London and Melbourne. It can be seen that there is a possibility of daylighting in the future, yet before such progression can be made we must educate ourselves on how to treat for the sacred natural resource.

 

 

 

Reference List

Douglas, Ian. (2013). Cities: AN Environmental History. London: I.B. Yauris & Co. Ltd.

Lancaster, M. (2015). Urban Watercourses [Lecture]. Retrieved from The University of Melbourne: Urban History ABPL20034