Acknowledgments

Acknowledgements

The work in this book spans two research institutions and would not have been made-possible without the efforts of countless dedicated research assistants, research associates, and generous colleagues. Firstly, I want thank Brent D. Ryan for believing in this project since its first day as a seed grant application at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Till the very end, Brent remained a critical advocate and supporter of the project. At MIT, I am especially indebted to Prudence Robinson, Executive Director of the MIT Leventhal Center for Advanced Urbanism, for being a steadfast supporter and friend. I am also indebted to Alan Berger for giving me the platform to launch a life-long academic research career. At the University of Toronto, I want to thank Dean Robert Wright, who to many of us, is a continuous force and a life-long mentor. Dean Richard Sommer for his generous support, as well as Associate Dean of Research Liat Margolis for her endless insights and countless years of friendship.

The work in this book was initially funded by a grant from the Samuel Tak Lee MIT Real Estate Entrepreneurship Lab to explore the “Littoral Gradient” of Chinese coastal cities. As such, this research is indebted to Xi (Colleen) Qiu (PhD Candidate) at the Department of Urban Studies and Planning, (MIT), who played a pivotal leadership role in shaping the early stages of this research. A core team of dedicated research assistants at both MIT and the University of Toronto’s John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design were seminal in the production of maps and collection of research materials throughout the last four years. This includes: Xinhui Li, Caner Oktem, Ricardo Jnani Gonzalez, Xhulio Binjaku, Sean Phillips, Hadi El-Shayeb, Qiwei Song, Shikha Jagwani, Michael Wideman, Hillary DeWildt, Ambika Pharma, Alex Sheinbaum, and Louisa Kennett.

Two elective graduate courses and workshops at MIT (co-taught with Alan Berger) and the University of Toronto taught in 2016 and 2017 aided with foundational material for select case studies illustrated in this atlas. This includes, Songdo and Stockholm: Pamela Bellavita, Waishan Qiu, Brooklyn Bridge Park: Sam Cohen, Qiwei Song, Meikang Li, Key West: Dennis Harvey, Toronto Waterfront: Mich Luke, Alaa Mukahhal, Sarah Ko, Dubai: Meagan, Patrick, Port of Los Angeles: Zach Postone, Oslo: Janice Tung, Rio de Janeiro: An-drew Hooke, Port of Rotterdam: Andrey Chernykh, Boston Back Bay: Catherine Howell, Ba-rangaroo Sydney: Eric Wong, Hong Kong: Grace Shaine Wong, Beemster: Jessica Guinto, Forest City: Jianing Chee, Ile Notre Dame: Joshua Kirk, False Creek: Kaitlyn Pelletier, Embarcadero: Kevin Klassen, Treasure Island: Leslie Norris, Singapore: Qiwei Song, Meikang Li, Miami: Suhanija Arullsothy. Royal Docks: Sydney Truesdale, Beirut: Vincent Javet.

A special thank you to Charles Waldheim for supporting this project, Ryan Burns at the University of Toronto for “always making things happen”, Ricardo Devesa and Marga Gibert at Actar for the publication and editorial support, and most importantly, to the book’s contributing authors for their inspiring insights on reclaiming our littoral gradient.

Lastly, a note of much love and gratitude to Haitham, Reem, Jeeda, Faisal, and Victor, to whom I owe the world.

Fadi Masoud