Placemaking and urban rivers: memory as a driver for connecting people with riverscapes

Abstract

Rivers are among the most endangered ecosystems in the world, although they play a fundamental role in the urban environment, for public health and wellbeing. The role of rivers in the production of urban spaces is one of the research strands within the scope of the Ibero-American Network RUN | Naturalized Urban Rivers (CYTED - www.run.ulusofona.pt). RUN combines knowledge and experiences about the regeneration processes of rivers under strong pressure in urban areas with nature-based solutions, citizen science and placemaking approaches. Our contribution focuses on the role of memory as a link between past, present and future in connecting people with rivers and cityscapes. Two studies provide the base for this reflection. In the first, we analyse diverse placemaking experiences that, using memory, recover imaginaries of riverscapes with the aim of reconnecting people with their environment and with rivers that are not visible anymore. The second study refers to an experience with kindergarten children and placemaking. Through walking tours in a neighbourhood crossed by a river and playful games, we aimed to make children more aware and sensitive to this natural element. Both experiences contribute to raising more awareness, creating new senses and giving new meanings to the rivers in the future.