Waterfront
de waterkant
In Baltimore and many other historical port cities around the world, once-bustling harbor activities moved out of their original inner-city locations toward deeper waters that could accommodate the ever-larger ships being built in the years after World War II. This left many inner-city harbor areas vacant, decaying, and unsuited to any positive contribution to the host city. Completed in 1980, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, one of the world’s first attempts to revitalize a dilapidated harbor area, inspired Rotterdam to initiate a similar revitalization of the Kop van Zuid (“South-Head”) area of its own inner-city harbor.
This exchange of ideas for solving an important urban redevelopment problem was the spark that led to the establishment of the sister city relationship between Baltimore and Rotterdam. The exchange of ideas has continued over the years as the Baltimore-Rotterdam Sister City Committee has hosted numerous delegations from Rotterdam, visiting Baltimore to learn about new developments in waterfront revitalization, and as Baltimore citizens and officials have contributed ideas for Rotterdam’s waterfront.
Rotterdam waterfront. (Photo: © Rob Hollis)
De Boompjes
Rotterdam invited Baltimore, London, Hamburg, and Barcelona to participate in conceptualizing ideas for the revitalization of an important urban waterfront area in Rotterdam — De Boompjes. Baltimore's concept plan was produced by the Baltimore Development Corporation, with contributions from several Baltimore architectural firms. Baltimore’s contribution was included in a 2001 exhibition, in conjunction with Rotterdam’s year as “Cultural Capital of Europe.”
Boating
Both cities have an active interest in shipping, historical reconstructions, boat racing, and other activities related to the harbor. The committee often helps host visiting naval ships and other boats.
Kids from Rotterdam competed in Maryland’s Optimists Boat Regatta race in May 2006. They are shown here with former Mayor Martin O’Malley at the Baltimore waterfront.
International Waterfront Conference 2010
The organizers of this conference have selected Baltimore to be the host of the annual conference on November 4-6, 2010. The conference focuses on urban waterfront development.
Rotterdam Architect Lecture
October 16, 2010
We are co-sponsoring a lecture by lecture by Jamie Maslyn Larson from West 8, an international firm headquarted in Rotterdam. She will speak on selected works and projects in urban landscape architecture and, specifically, about thse firm’s work on Governor’s Island in New York’s harbor. Part of a month-long event organized by AIA Baltimore.
Bicentennial of War of 1812
2012 marks the 200th anniversary of the 1812 war between USA and Britain. The celebration will be launched in Baltimore in June 2012. Baltimore’s sister city committees are planning to participate in the festivities.