Riverfront revitalization is bringing new dimension to popular European cities. This Dominique Perrault-designed bridge over Arganzuela Park is part of Madrid Rio, a city-planning project that has transformed life around Manzanares River in Madrid.
Madrid Rio —
Riverfront revitalization is bringing new dimension to popular European cities. This Dominique Perrault-designed bridge over Arganzuela Park is part of Madrid Rio, a city-planning project that has transformed life around Manzanares River in Madrid.
Cristina Arias/Cover/Getty Images
The old highway that cut off Manzanares River from the city center has been removed, transforming a six-mile part of the river into Madrid Rio. This city project created a community with children's areas, parks, sports zones and gardens.
Madrid Rio —
The old highway that cut off Manzanares River from the city center has been removed, transforming a six-mile part of the river into Madrid Rio. This city project created a community with children's areas, parks, sports zones and gardens.
Cristina Arias/Cover/Getty Images
Berlin's Oberbaumbrücke Bridge above the River Spree runs between the former East Berlin neighborhood of Friedrichshain and the former West Berlin neighborhood of Kreuzberg.
River Spree, Berlin —
Berlin's Oberbaumbrücke Bridge above the River Spree runs between the former East Berlin neighborhood of Friedrichshain and the former West Berlin neighborhood of Kreuzberg.
Adam Berry/Getty Images
People enjoy an outdoor bar along the banks of the River Spree in Berlin. Areas on both sides of the river have been transformed into bars and community gardens, artists' studios and underground nightclubs where residents and tourists can gather.
River Spree, Berlin —
People enjoy an outdoor bar along the banks of the River Spree in Berlin. Areas on both sides of the river have been transformed into bars and community gardens, artists' studios and underground nightclubs where residents and tourists can gather.
Sean Gallup/Getty Images
Tourists sit in the sun at Cais do Sodre overlooking the River Tagus and the "25th of April Bridge" bridge in Lisbon, Portugal. Once known for its seedy bars and brothels, today it boasts hot clubs and great restaurants.
Tagus River, Lisbon —
Tourists sit in the sun at Cais do Sodre overlooking the River Tagus and the "25th of April Bridge" bridge in Lisbon, Portugal. Once known for its seedy bars and brothels, today it boasts hot clubs and great restaurants.
Mario Proenca/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Lisbon's Alfama quarter along the Tagus River has lovely, narrow cobbled streets on the hillside. More attention was brought to the city's riverfront development in the 1990s, when Lisbon was named the European Capital of Culture.
Tagus River, Lisbon —
Lisbon's Alfama quarter along the Tagus River has lovely, narrow cobbled streets on the hillside. More attention was brought to the city's riverfront development in the 1990s, when Lisbon was named the European Capital of Culture.
Armando Franca/AP
While the River Thames is already a popular tourist destination, head east past the Tower Bridge to a once-bleak wasteland known as the Docklands that is now a thriving mixed-use area. One way to see the Docklands is by riding the new Emirates Air Line cable cars that cross the river.
River Thames, London —
While the River Thames is already a popular tourist destination, head east past the Tower Bridge to a once-bleak wasteland known as the Docklands that is now a thriving mixed-use area. One way to see the Docklands is by riding the new Emirates Air Line cable cars that cross the river.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Crews compete in the annual "Great River Race," a 22-mile rowing race on the River Thames from the Docklands to Richmond. Since the government decided to revitalize the Docklands in the early 1980s, the area has been developed into a mixed-use community of residential, commercial and light industrial properties
Thames River, London —
Crews compete in the annual "Great River Race," a 22-mile rowing race on the River Thames from the Docklands to Richmond. Since the government decided to revitalize the Docklands in the early 1980s, the area has been developed into a mixed-use community of residential, commercial and light industrial properties
Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images