Waterfront urban public spaces: a Key West case study

Early planning practices were predominantly focused on addressing the issues of the postindustrial city. Among these issues was access to clean waterfront spaces. As cities by the sea and large rivers expand and become more dense, access to clean waterfront spaces has become an increasable asset to overall health and public life of cities.

Key West is a south Florida town located on an island at the southernmost tip of the continental United States. Naturally much of the island’s public life and overall movement is centered around waterfront spaces or within the ocean itself. The island is among the most densely populated areas in the state. Key West has long been, and continues to be, a haven for immigrant communities, artists, the LGBTQ community and fishermen. Given that it is an extremely demographically diverse town with high density levels, the island serves for a very unique observation on public urban life, specifically public spaces.

Among the island’s most iconic public spaces is White Street Pier. The pier is a unique structure that starts at the southern end of the street by the same name and begins at the edge of the sea. The structure stretches into the ocean for several feet, removing itself from the noise pollution of the surplus of motorized vehicles the island possesses. The pier contains at its end an open space with direct proximity to the sea. The pier is lined with benches, walkways, and bike paths; not specifically delineated. The versatility of the space and its proximity to clean ocean water allows for quite a variety of uses in the space. One can observe a variety of activities ranging from fishing, to strolling and skate boarding. Considering that the island’s surface is very small, access to public spaces is limited, enhancing a convergence of many different social demographics within the public realm. The pier becomes an urban oasis from the access to fresh ocean air and lack of noise. The only sounds that can be easily heard are those coming from the sea and those generated from people, adding an additional natural element to the pier.

White street pier has a unique form of public space on a grander scale, however the island of Key
West is full of public life by the sea.

Given the overwhelming impact that urbanized areas have on people's access to silent spaces and natural amenities, a piers and other waterside walkways can be helpful in neutralizing the overstimulating effects of urban noise pollution and contributing to the overall mental health of a city.

Key West’s small roads and plentiful bike lanes offer a pedestrian and bike-friendly environment. In addition, the island boasts plentiful bike trails which are completely free of car traffic allowing for the easy movement of people. The walkway is also used as a major bike route connecting the island. The city government of Key West has led a variety of initiatives advocating for the use of bikes instead of cars and other sustainable modes of transportation. Cycle Free Key West is an initiative started by the city’s planning department as a means of promoting the use of the bike as a healthy, safe and fast alternative mode of transportation on the island in addition to promoting walkability and other sustainable modes of transit throughout the island.

The waterside walkway serves as a major sustainable and healthy means of transportation and is frequently used by locals and tourists alike. The ocean gives one a sense of peace that is often not present in urban environments. The citizens of this busy seaside town are lucky enough to enjoy this. Furthermore, given that physical health and mental health go hand in hand urban planning initiatives that promote physical activities are of the utmost importance.

About the Author

Andre Williams is a Panamanian and American undergraduate student currently working on his BA in Urban Studies at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. He is a UD/MH Associate. His main interests include architecture, urban public spaces, and urban sociology. In addition, he would like to research the effects the built environment has on the moods and behaviors of urban inhabitants.