Urban riverfronts and art drive local tourism growth

Various cities are utilizing riverfront development and regenerative tourism to stimulate local economies and preserve cultural heritage.

In Bhubaneswar, India, there is a push to transform urban waterways like the Gandhabati, Kuakhai, and Daya rivers into recreational and cultural hubs. Proponents suggest that investing in riverfront promenades and eco-restoration can create jobs and support entrepreneurship, leveraging the city's historical significance to sites like Dhauli and Khandagiri-Udayagiri.

In Clinton, Iowa, the community is leveraging its history as a 19th-century lumber hub through art-driven tourism. To revitalize the historic downtown, the town has embraced outdoor exhibitions, including the installation of oversized wooden trolls created by Dutch artist Thomas Dambo, to attract visitors and foster local pride.