The concept of diverse developments in port cities

This paper extends Alvin Toffler’s “three waves” concept into a classification framework that describes three stages and six types of port-city developments. These waterfront developments inject huge capital, but require a longer period for return on investment, and public–private partnership is commonly adopted as necessary for enhanced efficiency and risk sharing in many of the development projects. The concept of diverse developments is discussed, in which the content of development is first analyzed and then subdivided into development units grouped as having similar attributes. A corresponding leading organization for the given development unit is then chosen based upon the analyzed attributes. Using the series of steps in constructing the framework, the purpose of obtaining maximum social benefits and appropriate risk management is thus achieved. Waterfront development case studies are also included to explain advantages of adopting the concept of diverse developments. Finally, examples will be included to illustrate how this diverse development analysis can be applied in a flexible way so that competitive and high quality waterfronts can be created.