Waterfront
de waterkant

In Baltimore and many other historical port cities around the world, once-bustling harbor activities moved out of their original inner-city locations toward deeper waters that could accommodate the ever-larger ships being built in the years after World War II.  This left many inner-city harbor areas vacant, decaying, and unsuited to any positive contribution to the host city.  Completed in 1980, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, one of the world’s first attempts to revitalize a dilapidated harbor area, inspired Rotterdam to initiate a similar revitalization of the Kop van Zuid (“South-Head”) area of its own inner-city harbor. 

This exchange of ideas for solving an important urban redevelopment problem was the spark that led to the establishment of the sister city relationship between Baltimore and Rotterdam.  The exchange of ideas has continued over the years as the Baltimore-Rotterdam Sister City Committee has hosted numerous delegations from Rotterdam, visiting Baltimore to learn about new developments in waterfront revitalization, and as Baltimore citizens and officials have contributed ideas for Rotterdam’s waterfront.

Rotterdam waterfront. (Photo: © Rob Hollis)

De Boompjes

Rotterdam invited Baltimore, London, Hamburg, and Barcelona to participate in conceptualizing ideas for the revitalization of an important urban waterfront area in Rotterdam — De Boompjes. Baltimore's concept plan was produced by the Baltimore Development Corporation, with contributions from several Baltimore architectural firms. Baltimore’s contribution was included in a 2001 exhibition, in conjunction with Rotterdam’s year as “Cultural Capital of Europe.”

Boating

Both cities have an active interest in shipping, historical reconstructions, boat racing, and other activities related to the harbor. The committee often helps host visiting naval ships and other boats.

Kids from Rotterdam competed in Maryland’s Optimists Boat Regatta race in May 2006. They are shown here with former Mayor Martin O’Malley at the Baltimore waterfront.