Implementing urban waterfront redevelopment in an historic context: a case study of the The Boston Naval Shipyard

The paper provides a critical analysis of revitalisation strategies for the Yard, including the integration of naval heritage in regeneration. The Yardʹs working history, which led to inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places, is briefly reviewed. The planning role of the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) is established, and this agencyʹs strategic division of the site into heritage-dominated and other zones is discussed. The BRAʹs focus on public investment to initiate clearance and revitalisation based on public spaces and heritage exploitation is demonstrated. Particular attention is also given to the BRAʹs political, financial and design strategies. Despite the Yardʹs reputation for successful revitalisation, it is shown that these strategies encountered major difficulties which severely delayed and heavily modified the eventual outcomes. It is concluded that heritage-based and mixed-use revitalisation developed a symbiosis contributing to the successes achieved, but that the difficulties identified highlight major lessons. These relate chiefly to public and private sector investment, timely public sector decision-making, the pitfalls of over-regulated conservation policy and the importance of local community relationships.