Rivers are often times the more utilitarian of the different types of bodies of water. Oceans and lakes are thought of as fun places to partake in water sports, go for a swim, or just relax on their sandy beaches, and ponds are seen as serene and relaxing spots to go fishing or to sit back and enjoy the wildlife. Meanwhile, rivers are often viewed as the highways of the water world; they are connectors and pathways to something bigger and better. Boats and barges travel up and down them as they make their way to or from an ocean or lake leading to heavy traffic and plenty of pollution.
Sure, maybe we walk along riverwalks or enjoy lunch on an outdoor patio where the rushing water can be heard, but, thanks to the heavy water traffic and pollution, rivers are often only enjoyed as ambiance, not as a place to actually take a dip and cool down on a hot summer day.
Some cities, however, are trying to return these heavily polluted and trafficked rivers back into swimmable destinations for the enjoyment of locals and visitors alike. New York has a proposed floating pool for one of its rivers and river pools already exist in cities like Zurich, Berlin, and Paris, and now, the Yarra River in Melbourne, Australia is looking to join this list.
According to inhabitat.com, the non-profit organization Yarra Swim Co. is looking to make the heavily polluted Yarra River swimmable once more. One of the first major steps they are taking to achieve this goal is to work with Arup to develop a Yarra River pool. While, technically, swimming in the pool wouldn’t be the same thing as swimming in the Yarra, it would be the first step in bringing swimming back to the waterway.
The plans call for a self-contained pool that floats in the Yarra River, however, Arup and Yarra Swim Co. are looking into ways to filter and clean the surrounding water so that it can be used to supply the water in the pool, which is kind of like swimming in the river itself, right? Currently, Arup says there is a patent pending for this type of technology.
Yarra Swim Co. hopes the pool will help to change public opinion about the polluted waterway and be the push needed to rally people around the idea of cleaning the river for good. Ultimately, Yarra Swim Co. hopes the river can be cleaned thoroughly enough so the race to Prince's Bridge, which was once one of the largest swimming competitions in the world, can once again be held.
Funds to build the pool, which, in Australian dollars would cost around $6 and $8 million, may be raised through a combination of crowdfunding, sponsorships, and grants. If all goes according to plan, the pool could be open to the public by 2019 or 2020.
So while people may not be swimming in the Yarra anytime in the near future (at least, not without imbibing in a few rounds of liquid courage first), the pool, especially if the patent pending technology works, could be the first step in the overall process of making the Yarra River swimmable once again.
Photo Credit: Daderot, Wikimedia Commons
Related Stories
| May 31, 2013
Japan to transform canal into world's largest outdoor pool
A wild proposal by the city of Osaka, Japan, would transform the Dotonbori Canal into a 2,625-foot-long, 40-foot-wide pool.
| May 21, 2013
RSMeans cost comparisons: pools, racquetball courts, bowling alleys, hockey/soccer facilities
Construction market analysts from RSMeans offer construction costs per square foot for four building types across 25 metro markets.
| May 20, 2013
Jones Lang LaSalle: All U.S. real estate sectors to post gains in 2013—even retail
With healthier job growth numbers and construction volumes at near-historic lows, real estate experts at Jones Lang LaSalle see a rosy year for U.S. commercial construction.
| May 17, 2013
First look: HKS' multipurpose stadium for Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA), the Minnesota Vikings and HKS Sports & Entertainment Group have unveiled the design of the State’s new multi? purpose stadium in Minneapolis, a major milestone in getting the $975 million stadium built on time and on budget.
| May 16, 2013
Chicago unveils $1.1 billion plan for DePaul arena, Navy Pier upgrades
Hoping to send a loud message that Chicago is serious about luring tourism and entertainment spending, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has released details of two initiatives that have been developing for more than a year and that it says will mean $1.1 billion in investment in the McCormick Place and Navy Pier areas.
| May 7, 2013
First look: Golden State Warriors stadium by Snøhetta, AECOM
Architects Snøhetta and AECOM have revealed their latest renderings of a new stadium for NBA basketball team the Golden State Warriors on the waterfront in San Francisco.
| May 2, 2013
Holl-designed Campbell Sports Center completed at Columbia
Steven Holl Architects celebrates the completion of the Campbell Sports Center, Columbia University’s new training and teaching facility.
| Apr 30, 2013
Tips for designing with fire rated glass - AIA/CES course
Kate Steel of Steel Consulting Services offers tips and advice for choosing the correct code-compliant glazing product for every fire-rated application. This BD+C University class is worth 1.0 AIA LU/HSW.
| Apr 26, 2013
BIG tapped to design Europa City in suburban Paris
Danish architecture firm, BIG - led by Bjarke Ingels – has been announced as the winner of an international invited competition for the design of Europa City, a 800,000 square meter cultural, recreational and retail development in Triangle de Gonesse, France.
| Apr 24, 2013
Los Angeles may add cool roofs to its building code
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa wants cool roofs added to the city’s building code. He is also asking the Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to create incentives that make it financially attractive for homeowners to install cool roofs.