States of co-existence and border projects in port cities: Genoa and Rotterdam compared

Abstract

In port cities there is a tendency to dislocate production activities in favour of logistic-productive dynamics. In addition, the transition from an industrial area model to a ‘logistics hinterland’ formula shifts attention to a territorial scale, focusing on spaces at the border between the port and city areas. Today, port–city borders are commonly perceived as barriers but they could be dynamic development thresholds. Existing port cities exhibit different states of coexistence at their port–city borders: sometimes they are forced situations originating from poor management, but they can also provide opportunities for mutual interaction and synergy. This paper compares port–city borders in Genoa and Rotterdam using interviews, relevant literature and mapping. Conclusions are drawn concerning the possibilities and potential for future port–city borders.

When “port-out – city-in” becomes a strategy: is the port–city interface conflict in Amsterdam an observation or a self-fulfilling prophecy?

“…The term porosity is derived from urban studies and can according to Hein (2021) "……be seen as a way to overcome the modernist separation of functions and the introduction of hard boundaries between specific spaces that have led to the increase of traffic and socio-economic segregation". The origin of the threshold concept can also be founded within urban studies but stresses the meaning of borderscapes (literally landscapes of the border) between port and city and can help to identify governance patterns such as capabilities of Port Authorities (Moretti et al 2019). In this way, both concepts touch upon the fourth theme of 'policy and governance', which includes analysis of institutions and policies which are part of the context in which actions and decisions of (public) stakeholders take place.…”