Channelization and river re-engineering

We must win our rivers back.

After centuries of 'improving' rivers and 'defending' coasts against floods, the developed countries have given their waterfronts a military aspect, dominated by embankments, retaining walls, and concrete ditches. A major reclamation programme is necessary to reclaim our 'channels', 'waterﾭcourses', 'culverts' and 'coastal defences'. Their dignity must be restored, as streams, brooks, rivers and shores. Landscape character plans should be formulated. Rainwater should be infiltrated near to where it falls - or else it should detained near to where it falls, and discharged slowly. Rivers and coasts should be planned, designed and managed. In places, this will require no human intervention: the coast should be as natural as possible. In other places, their scenic and recreational potential should be developed. Rivers and coasts have exceptional scope for contributing to a green web of public open space. Engineering is not enough. Negative environmental impacts should be mitigated. Positive environmental impacts should be planned and designed. Engineers have a major role but, working under local democratic control, they must learn to coﾭoperate with community groups, landscape planners, scientists, ecologists, geologists, landscape designers and architects. Waterfront land is our most valuable land.