Chicago's Riverwalk is a great model for urban waterfronts.
Besides the passage itself, the marina plaza has restaurants, outdoor dining, boat docking and stepped seating close to the water.
And then the grand river theater, or sculptural staircase that connects Upper Wacker Drive to the river. It doubles as seating and an event space.
@Pres_Chicago Absolutely they add something timeless to our public realm. I might also add those street level clocks like at McCormick Place, Lincoln Square et al.