Revitalisation of Neglected Urban Waterfronts through Blue-Green Infrastructure:A Comparative Study of Reykjavík, Iceland, and Podgorica, Montenegro

Urban waterfronts are important parts of the city. These spaces improve social life, regulate the microclimate, and strengthen place identity. They often remain inaccessible, underused, and degraded. This study explores how blue–green infrastructure can revitalise neglected waterfronts and transform them into public spaces that are open to everyone and resilient to climate change. The research focuses on two European capitals – Podgorica (Montenegro) and Reykjavík (Iceland). Two contrasting cultural and climatic contexts of the Nordic and Balkan regions are examined. The aim of the study is to identify, through these two case studies, different relationships between water and urban space.

In Podgorica, the banks of the Morača River are occupied by logistics and storage facilities. These physical and visual barriers limit the city’s connection with the riverfront. The development of public spaces along the river is therefore restricted. This is particularly important given the role of the river as a cooling corridor in a city that faces extremely high summer temperatures and is ranked among the warmest European capitals. In Reykjavík, the transformation of industrial zones into residential areas has improved land-use efficiency along the waterfront. However, due to insufficient integration of blue–green infrastructure and unfavourable microclimatic conditions, the waterfront remains insufficiently socially activated.

The study uses a mixed-method approach. On-site work and qualitative methods are focused on space users. GIS analysis is used to define the location of built structures, their relationship with water, and the public accessibility of the waterfront. Fieldwork includes walking diaries and recording patterns of how people use waterfront areas. Surveys are used to assess frequency of use and functional integration of waterfront spaces. In both cases, the results indicate insufficient use of these areas. This is directly related to microclimatic constraints and spatial barriers. The findings confirm the importance of climate-responsive revitalisation. Blue–green infrastructure is presented as a key element for enabling urban waterfronts to function as accessible and socially meaningful public spaces, contributing to long-term urban resilience.