Since the 1970s, urban waterfronts have undergone profound functional transformations. While in many ways they have been proven successful in reviving prime urban areas, waterfront redevelopments have also been contested. This article reviews several aspects of the planning conflicts that have been pertinent to the redevelopment of waterfronts internationally: (1) land ownership, (2) heritage and culture, (3) social and environmental justice, and (4) environment and resilience. Based on a comprehensive review of state-of-the-art literature, we suggest that the growing concerns over social justice and environmental resilience during the course of waterfront redevelopments will continue to challenge cities in the future.

This paper analyzes the redevelopment of a residential compound in Jerusalem from a justice perspective. It focuses on the role of the Neighborhood Council (NC) in negotiating representation and recognition of local residents in the planning process. Based on analysis of interviews, planning documents, focus group meetings, and court appeals, we argue that as a hybrid governance structure, which mediates between the residents and the municipality, the NC is uniquely positioned to promote more just and inclusive planning process and outcomes at the neighborhood scale. However, the NC still faces substantial challenges due to its intermediary position.

Waterfront redevelopment projects have often been criticized for prioritizing attractive skylines and glittering facades over the needs of local communities. Recently, however, they have increasingly seen goals of social and environmental justice integrated into their vision statements. This article focuses on the redevelopment of the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Since the early 2000s, the formerly neglected and contaminated river has been at the center of extensive regeneration efforts through the Anacostia Waterfront Initiative (AWI). We examine to what extent the AWI has helped to overcome inequities between the two disparate sides of the river. To answer this question, we build on interviews, analysis of planning documents, and site visits. Examining efforts toward both social and environmental justice, we show the convergence of the two but also the contradictions that arise between them. The findings suggest that employing a joint social and environmental justice approach to analyze waterfront redevelopments is important to reveal these tensions.

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In the last decade, justice has been revived as a primary criterion for the analysis and evaluation of planning policies. This paper continues the conversation about justice and planning by examining a proposed redevelopment project in Washington, D.C. that sets equitable development as its goal-asking to what extent this model keeps true to its promise. The proposed 11th Street Bridge Park would be a topnotch elevated park, physically and symbolically connecting D.C's wealthy west with the disadvantaged east. The project is managed by a nonprofit organization and seemingly stands out in its progressive social vision: An Equitable Development Plan has been developed in collaboration with various stakeholders, in an attempt to secure the future of the local residents in light of the anticipated gentrification of the neighborhood. However, preliminary findings show that despite explicit commitment to equity, through discourse and action, the planning of the park also resurfaces racial and class tensions that cannot be easily resolved. The analysis of procedural and substantive aspects of justice in this case suggests that issues of recognition, power and representation are instrumental to fully understand urban (in)justices.