Identifying Urban Waterfront Value and Building a Livable “Back Bay” Urban District: A Case Study of Tianjin Tanggu Bay New Town

Against the background of new-type urbanization and high-quality development, waterfront areas have become crucial in en-hancing urban spatial quality, overall competitiveness, and functional integration [1,2]. As a national-level new area, the Haihe River estuary in the Tianjin Binhai New Area holds strategic significance for regional coordination, ecological restoration, and urban transformation. This study conducts a systematic evaluation of the waterfront value of the Haihe River and identifies key challenges related to development stages, spatial configuration, and waterfront utilization in Tanggu Bay New Town. Drawing on the planning experience of Boston’s Back Bay, this research proposes the concept of a “Back Bay High-Quality Living District,” which integrates New Urbanism–inspired spatial organization, ecological landscape systems, networked public spaces, enhanced transportation connectivity, and optimized public service provision [3]. The proposed planning framework provides a replicable model for the development of livable, ecologically resilient, and culturally integrated waterfront new towns, offering both theoretical insights and practical guidance for similar urban transformations aimed at achieving high-quality development and improved livability.