When I first lived in Halifax, and having known it as a visitor all my life, it never really occurred to me (or us as its inhabitants, let alone tourists) to visit the waterfront. Even though it is a historical port city, the waterfront was neglected and hard-working but not really a source of leisure. That all started to change within the past twenty years. Now, even though it still works hard receiving and transmitting goods, it has emerged as a destination for tourists and locals in and of itself. Before this development, I had a vantage point on my city and over time, those vantage points have changed.
I used to know my city from inside a classroom, snowbanks and apartments and houses. Now I know my city from the harbour's edge. I gaze towards George's Island or am dwarfed by huge vessels coming and going. Even when I am not there, I visualize the city from that vantage point. The waterfront helps stabilize us, its a point of connection and helps us escape the snowbanks in winter and our hot homes in the summer.
Vantage points can change and they will keep changing. Be prepared for the old centre to be on the periphery and new centres to be created.
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