How can we define this area? What is its function? The area is a green,recreational open space; a place for relaxation, festivals and music throughout the year. It includes boat dock, fountain, historical site, paths- paved, statue or public art, trails- biking and visitor attraction. But was it always like that?.....

PORTLAND WATERFRONT PARK As it used to be.. …… in the 70’s

From the city's origins Instead of the Waterfront Park, there used to be a free way… in 1959, Interstate 5 was being built through the heart of the city, the east bank of the polluted sewer seemed like a wonderful place to put a freeway. This decision, stemmed from the worship of the automobile, in an automobile-centric society. What could have been one of the most pleasant, lively, economically thriving riverfronts in America was back then-a racing, growling, roaring hell of traffic, elevated on its viaducts, and rising onto its two freeway bridges on opposing ends of the downtown. The Willamette River had been the means of removal for liquid waste from flouring mills and other riverside operations. In 1962 an Oregon journalist, Tom McCall, produced the television documentary, “Pollution in Paradise” showing the Willamette river as a garbage strewn, polluted sewer where fish introduced to the waters for the sake of the cameras lasted only a few agonizing minutes. The days of being able to use the Willamette river as an industrial waste dump were over. His crusade to start cleaning up the river, and the rest of the environmental horrors in the state would earn him a place of honor in the history of Oregon..

As it is today..

How can we describe The Waterfront Park with Kevin Lynch’s words?  What is it exactly?  Based on its:  FUNCTION  APPEARANCE  USE

A PATH? A place people…... can easily move through and use it to get to one place to another, or for recreational purposes, such as walking, biking, jogging …swimming?..and not only..

A NODE? A strategic spot into the city An intensive foci A place of break And during Saturdays, A concentration of different uses ( art “exhibit”, shopping, a place where to eat, a place for concerts and entertainment) which make this area gain a physical character and a whole lot of personality….

AN EDGE?.. linear elements not used or considered as paths by the observer. They are boundaries between two phases, linear breaks in continuity: shores, railroad cuts, edges of development, walls... "

A LANDMARK?  A point of reference-" another type of point-reference, but in this case the observer does not enter within them, they are external.  They are usually a rather simply defined physical object: building, sign, store, or mountain". The prominent visual features of the city are its landmarks. Some landmarks are very large and seen at great distances.  Some landmarks are very small (e.g. a tree within an urban square) and can only be seen close up.  Landmarks are an important element of urban form because they help people to orient themselves in the city and help identify an area.  Considered Lynch’s definition,The Waterfront Park has some characteristics of the landmark, but it cannot be fully considered as one.  It is a point of reference, but that one can enter and cross as well.  There are several factors that can contribute in marking a landmark. Among them, there are the smells and noise/sounds

SMELLS: FOOD

NOISE / SOUNDS Kids playing Artists singing and playing instruments Bands Performing People dancing

A MULTIFUNCTIONAL PLACE Where one can enjoy the green space Take a walk along the river Display hand made art or buy it Have a good meal

A place that I personally have visited …...and that soon become my favorite spot in the city of Portland. I make use of almost all its possible functions: jogging, walking, biking, shopping. And what I like the most…...eating