esplanades

An esplanade is a wide, open, level public space built along a waterfront, riverfront, or coastal area. It is designed for walking, recreation, and public gatherings and often serves as a focal point of a city’s waterfront.

The term comes from the French esplanade, meaning a flat or level space. Historically, esplanades were flat areas behind fortifications used for drills and parade grounds; in the modern era they have been redeveloped as public promenades along harbors and shores.

Design and features commonly include paved pedestrian surfaces, broad walkways, seating, shade trees or colonnades, lighting, and viewpoints over the water. Esplanades may be integrated with parks, plazas, or cultural facilities, or exist as standalone waterfront promenades. They may sit behind seawalls or on raised terraces to manage tides and flood risk.

Uses and significance: esplanades provide recreational space, support tourism and local economies, and contribute to civic identity. They are often venues for events, markets, and performances, and can play a role in coastal resilience by widening the urban shoreline or serving as a flood barrier.

Variations: in everyday usage esplanade is sometimes used interchangeably with promenade, waterfront walk, or quay. The exact form and naming depend on local language, geography, and planning traditions.