Architects Conception de Senne have unveiled ‘Annette K’, a floating sports, health and wellness hub on the river Seine (France), just in time for the start of the 2024 Olympics.  Installed on a barge, the centre includes an outdoor Olympic swimming pool, a gym, a restaurant, a spa, and a psychotherapy suite. Its visual appearance has shipbuilding influences, with a construction made essentially of wood, metal, and glass. The architects explain that they also took inspiration from the minimalist style of Scandinavian pools, ensuring a closer connection with the external environment. Portholes let in natural light, with the reflections of the water creating an impressionist-style ambiance inside. In addition, considerable thought was given to making the centre fully accessible.

A three-way agreement is due to be signed this week, officially sealing plans for a new 1,700 km railway line linking the city of Beira (Mozambique) with Zimbabwe and Botswana.  Meanwhile, a $1.5 billion deepwater port is set to be built in Techobanine, also in Mozambique. The projects are designed to support large-scale coal exports from a landlocked region of Botswana. Infrastructures had previously been built between Botswana and Zimbabwe, and between Zimbabwe and Mozambique, and the new railway will link up all three countries. In Europe, XPO Logistics is working on the construction of a 2,600 km road and rail link from Antwerp to Istanbul, while Kombiverkehr is building a railway between Antwerp and Madrid.

The city of Saint-Nazaire (France) has announced the preparations for a new park in line with their “Petit Maroc” project. “Petit Maroc” is a project to redevelop a neighbourhood by the port and the city, focusing on valorising the territory’s maritime activity (e.g. the creation of a nautical activity center). It was presented at last year’s AIVP World Conference in Venice by the port, the city, and the urban planning agency. The new 2 ha park will include a promenade accessible to pedestrians and cyclists. Visitors will have access to an open-air theatre, a belvedere, picnic tables, and a playground and sports areas. The development of the park will also focus on increasing the permeability of the ground.

As part of a major city programme designed to manage floodwaters in Fort Worth (USA), architects Lake Flato and consultants HR&A have developed the Panther Island Project. A 450 acres plot has been earmarked for a new mixed-use waterfront development, to be created after the Trinity river has been diverted. The City Council approved the original plans back in the 2000s, but they were shelved. This new version aims for an ambitious, inclusive development with green spaces and guaranteed access to the riverfront throughout the district. Work to divert the river via two bypass channels is expected to be completed between 2028 and 2032.

The 2023 call for Connected Europe Facility (EU funding program for transport infrastructure) will support 134 projects with a strong focus on sustainability, safety and smart infrastructure, aligned with the objectives of the European Green Deal and the Smart Mobility Strategy. Around 20 maritime ports will benefit from this funding, with a clear priority for projects developing OPS systems, transport offshore renewable energy, and waterways and rail hinterland connections. Several AIVP members will benefit from this funding, for example the ports of Helsinki (Finland), Rijeka (Croatia), Valencia and Barcelona (Spain) to develop OPS infrastructure, the port of Sevilla (Spain) for smart traffic control system, or Dublin Port Company’s MP2 Project in Ireland.