ABSTRACT
Port city territories are nodes in the global transfer of goods, people, and ideas. Their planning is controlled by diverse actors of multiple sizes and by port authorities, municipalities, provinces, and often by large corporations. As such, port city territories are unique places to study transnational urbanism. The creation of water and shipping-related infrastructures, of ports, quays, and warehouses, set the foundation for contemporary and future developments. Planning decisions made in the 19th century established path dependencies that continue to influence planning for ports and cities today. Understanding who has access to water provides insight into territorial justice. Historical geospatial mapping provides an excellent tool for the effective comparison of global processes of shipping and access. Using the lens of cities of the North Sea—specifically London, Hamburg and Rotterdam—the chapter explores how planning has engaged with and responded to both local needs and global challenges. A systematic analysis of the planning history of diverse port cities offers insight into the impact of globalization.
