A New Vision for the Waterfront

Paysandú, Uruguay

Reconnecting the people of Paysandú with their river: Adapting to future climate change, protecting the ecosystem and embracing flooding to minimize damage.

A pioneering vision, the pilot project creates an accessible, adaptable, and transformative waterfront that is tailored to the needs of the city of Paysandú and a catalyst for the entire region.

Team OMA New York, as the prime consultant, formed a multidisciplinary team including West 8, as lead Landscape architects, MIC-Hub for Mobility, and Thornton Tomasetti for Resiliency. Through collaboration, the team developed a vision that seamlessly integrates various programs and ecological restoration initiatives, culminating in a magnificent waterfront park that fosters a connection between people and the waterfront, pays homage to the site’s remarkable past, and encourages responsible environmental stewardship for generations to come. As visionaries within the field of transformative waterfronts, West 8 has been leading and integrating the landscape and public space design within the pioneering vision for the Paysandú region.

Stretching 10km across the Uruguay River, the masterplan coexists with the flooding condition, unlocks and envisions the future development as well as protecting and enhancing the natural environment.

1 — 5 Open Space Framework

2 — 5 Ecology

3 — 5 Green Network

4 — 5 Pathway Network

5 — 5 Activation

A new backbone for the city, called La Cinta, runs parallel to the waterfront. As a connector, protector, and activator, La Cinta will unite newly defined zones to create a coherent experience of the diverse and rich elements of Paysandú.

Adapting to future climate change & protecting the ecosystem

1 — 3 On-site explorations of the context, team visits, collaborating, learning and listening in Paysandú. The design considers not only the likelihood of future hazardous events, but also the goals and aspirations of the community. Empowering residents to respond to flooding events and deploy resilience measures.

2 — 3

3 — 3

“For us, it was clear to identify that we have to protect and enhance the environment and the characteristic wetlands of Paysandú. In fact, these are the catalyst, we want to create a celebration of the ecosystem that is unique to here.”

The Spline: the connecting element that will create a cohesive and integrated waterfront experience - while protecting and designating floodable areas for minimal damage to the city.

Placemaking elements along the waterfront: Pavilion Anchor - Shade and Services; Spline Bridge; Spline Activator; Astilleros Garden

Transforming the threat of flooding into a promise of rebirth.

1 — 5 The masterplan is poised to unlock a multitude of new experiences along the riverfront through a seamless integration of protection, adaptation, connection, and activation. Phase 1, within the Paseo Ecologico, integrates a series of landscape strategies, from an improved, stepped waterfront condition and floating boardwalks across the wetlands to demonstrate how the vision applies to the human scale.