Public aquatic facilities as enablers of human-marine active interactions: An affordance-based conceptual approach

A key feature of urban regeneration projects along waterfronts is the focus on reconnecting with the wider urban environment. However, the relationship with the aquatic environment is less explored, as are attempts to promote a deeper and more varied connection between urban dwellers and urban blue spaces. This study highlights the potential of public aquatic facilities to assist this reconnection and foster closer, more active relationships with the marine environment, since human–nature interactions are considered to be critical for the environmental conservation agenda. This study examines how active engagement with water differs from passive enjoyment, building a different kind of relationship that deserves more attention. The dual nature of the seascape, which can be both therapeutic and treacherous, is also discussed, and the study sheds light on the lesser-discussed issue of how to promote exposure to nature in challenging environments such as aquatic ones. Theoretically based on the concept of affordances, the study suggests that public aquatic facilities could be understood in terms of their capacity to create positive affordances in order to mitigate negative ones, whether perceived or actual, brought about by the marine ecosystem for different users. This would expand their role as architectural tools to shape the relationship between users and the environment, instead of just being seen as recreational or aesthetic facilities. A conceptual approach is used to consider how facilities such as harbour baths and sea pools could manage affordances related to the physical aspects of the marine environment, environmental conditions and the personal characteristics of users. It is expected that public aquatic facilities would likely enable active human– marine interaction by shaping affordances such as legibility, swimmability, and safety, offering the associated benefits of contact with the marine environment while mitigating constraints.