Planning Sustainable and Resilient Waterfronts in the Mediterranean _ Insights from Athens and Lisbon

Urban waterfront development is a major challenge in spatial planning around the world, given the ongoing climate crisis. Mediterranean cities, particularly those with a historic center and a port, are important due to the increasing trends of coastalization, touristification, and overtourism, all of which threaten the local identity, sustainability, and resilience of their waterfronts. The article compares Athens and Lisbon to determine whether and how development and planning practices and policies affect the quality and sustainability of coastal ecosystems. A special focus is given to how both cities have ensured the spatial continuity of their waterfronts and their integration into the urban fabric and daily life. To address the research question, a multifactorial methodology, based on spatial criteria, is developed to assess the two cases and identify essential factors in their waterfronts’ quality and dynamics. The proposed methodology seeks to divide the Athens and Lisbon waterfronts into pockets so as to better understand their characteristics and assess the role of planning in their sustainability. Key parameters related to waterfront planning that played a critical role in shaping the research context are: I) its existence and connection to urban planning; II) its ability to address current challenges and ensure the public character of the shore; and III) implementation barriers and local consequences. The article concludes with findings that open new paths of research and consideration on waterfront planning and its role in urban development.