Academic Journal of Science and Technology 
ISSN: 2771-3032 | Vol. 13, No. 3, 2024 

 

176 

Split	the	River	Edge	in	Derry	
Meng Yuan1, * 

1The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, the UK 
*Corresponding author: 1051747781@qq.com 

 

Abstract: This essay first explains the importance of Foyle River to Derry City and the relevant content of Foyle River Edge 
and analyzes how to split the independence of the hard edge of Foyle River. In addition, it also studies how to split the convention 
of urban edge space with obvious boundaries while discussing how to split this hard edge, laying a theoretical foundation for the 
construction of architectural space functions and its spatial order and place image. On this basis, combined with practical cases, 
it seeks ways to split the constraints of rivers in urban edge space, explores ways to enhance the sense of identity, experience and 
place, and realizes the communication and integration of people, buildings and nature, providing a theoretical basis and thinking 
strategy for activating urban edge space, while promoting the vigorous development of the community and creating a vibrant 
riverside edge. 

Keywords: Foyle River; River Edge; Split Edge; Blur Edge; Urban edge space; University Lane. 
 

1. Introduction 
The Foyle River divides Derry into two distinct parts, the 

waterside and the cityside. Two sides have a strong sense of 
separation from one another because of the contrasts in social, 
economic, and cultural factors that exist between them. In 
light of this, it is necessary to point out that the Foyle River is 
a significant boundary of the city of Derry. In addition, it was 
an important factor during the industrial age in Derry. Not 
only does it serve as a significant water source and transit 
channel for the city, but it also encourages the growth of a 
wide range of industries, including the maritime industry, 
shipbuilding, textiles, tobacco, and food processing, among 
others. The historic industries of Derry rapidly decreased in 
the latter part of the 20th century, despite the fact that they 
had created a firm foundation for the city's whole economy. 
Today, Derry is continuing to make use of the resources 
provided by the Foyle River in order to diversify and 
modernise its economy through the development of areas 
such as tourism, technology, and services. With the passage 
of time, Derry will no longer require such a distinct dividing 
line. It is important to think about ways to make the rough 
urban edge less noticeable. 

Current research on the edge of urban waterfronts has 
mainly focused on the land perspective and has failed to 
include the waterside. However, as Bruttomesso said: Water 
is not only a resource for ports and industrial uses, but also 
the edge of waterfront cities; it is also a feature of waterfronts 
and the complex relationship between water and cities. [1]On 
the other hand, the existence of the Foyle River harbour not 
only helps to stimulate the economy of the surrounding area, 
but it also enhances the commercial appeal of the city core of 
Derry as a whole. As a result, the purpose of this article is to 
redraw the boundary between the water and land of the Foyle 
River, taking into consideration its form, its function, and the 
changes that have occurred over the course of time. 

Phytology College is located at the intersection of 
University Lane and Foyle River, which is also considered as 
the urban fringe of Derry. As a result, while we are 
contemplating the possibility of blurring the boundary of the 
Foyle River, we need to think about how to develop the land 
on the urban fringe. The urban fringe space is the boundary 

between the architectural space that is contained within the 
city and the environment that is located outside of the city. It 
is not only subjected to the gravitational pull of the inside 
enclosure, but it is also subjected to the tension that is caused 
by the link to the outside. It is the third sector that connects 
the inside to the outside of the city, and it serves as the 
intermediary between the inside and the outside of the city. 
As a result, a good marginal space has the ability to 
effectively realise the integration of the building environment 
and the city by balancing the contradiction that exists between 
the building and the urban environment. At the same time, it 
establishes a new order, which makes it the essential 
component of architectural design and the visual order at the 
same time. 

2. Background 
Looking at this satellite photo, this is everything about 

Derry, its ancient city walls, the Foyle River, the streets, the 
historic buildings, the oak forests, the tree-lined avenues that 
run through the city. We can see everything important about 
Derry on the satellite map (Fig.1), except for some details. 
Walking along Foyle Road is like the Foyle River flowing 
along the riverbed. This movement from south to north has 
been formed unknowingly for thousands of years. 

 

 
Figure 1. Satellite Map 

 



 

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Foyle River is the habitat of many animal and plant species, 
which helps to maintain the biodiversity in the region; Foyle 
River provides important freshwater resources for 
agricultural irrigation, industrial water, and domestic water 
for residents; Derry Port relies on Foyle River for maritime 
trade and transportation, which is vital to the local economy; 
Foyle River is the dividing line between the waterside and 
cityside areas of Derry; Foyle River sustains the local fishing 
industry and agric. As a result, the Foyle River has a 
significant and multi-faceted influence on the city of Derry. 
Because of its significance as a river, it has played a vital part 
in the development of history, the economy, ecology, and 
social culture. 

The Derry Wall is one of the city walls from the 17th 
century that has been kept the finest in Europe. Bishop Street 
is a thoroughfare that takes in the entirety of Derry and 
extends along the Derry Wall. Additionally, there are a great 
number of significant historical buildings and relics on 
Bishop Street, which are of significant historical and cultural 
significance; the commercial district of Derry is concentrated 
on Bishop Street, which contributes to the growth of the local 
economy; there are a great number of educational institutions 
and libraries on Bishop Street, which provide educational 
resources for the people who live in the surrounding area. As 
a result, Bishop Street is not only the conduit via which 
Derry's history and culture are transmitted, but it also plays an 
important part in the city's economy and educational system. 
Because of its practicality and its location in the heart of Derry, 
Bishop Street is an essential component of the city. 

The location is at the end of Bishop Street as well as the 
end of the lane that leads to our university. Additionally, it is 
the point where Bishop Street, University Lane, and Foyle 
River merge into one another. However, because it is located 
a considerable distance from the city centre, the spaces that 
surround it do not have any active places that have social, 
ecological, and environmental repercussions, as well as 
contact with the river edge, which are characteristics of urban 
areas, particularly with regard to University Lane.  

The image on the right depicts the immediate surroundings 
of the site. 

 

 
Figure 2. River edge Environment 

3. Content 
The reasons for splitting the river edge will be discussed 

from two aspects of waterways. 

3.1. Foyle River 
Water has been present within public spaces since ancient 

times. However, aquatic space became the subject of spatial 
planning only at the end of the 20th century[2]. During the 

latter half of the 20th century, there was a significant amount 
of focus placed on the influence that water had on the 
development of urban spaces, particularly in waterfront 
locations. On the other hand, aquatic space is rather 
infrequently regarded to be a spatial resource that ought to be 
developed in conjunction with nearby land. In the long run, 
taking into consideration the life cycle of the space and 
planning at The University of Derry, it is essential to 
incorporate the element of water, which is Foyle River, into 
the process of planning the university's physical space. 

When a site space has both land and water, it may be 
limited by a single edge of buildings, infrastructure or 
greenery, while on the other side, open water or the other side 
of the river can be seen. This space can be limited from both 
edges and contain water in the middle to form a "water street". 
Finally, some spaces may be surrounded by multiple walls to 
form a "water square", or multiple water surfaces to form a 
water central island, forming a complex spatial system.[3] 

However, as a river flowing into the sea, the Foyle River 
also experiences tidal changes. The tidal type of the Foyle 
River is a semidiurnal tide, which means there are two high 
tides and two low tides every day. [4] This is due to its 
connection with the Atlantic Ocean. This tidal phenomenon 
has an important impact on the river's ecosystem, economic 
activities and community life. Therefore, local ports and 
shipping companies also rely on tide tables and prediction 
tools to plan activities to ensure safety and efficiency. 

Although the annual tidal variation of the Foyle River is 
not significant, as Erin mentioned in the article "Redefining 
the Edge Life Without Levees": Storms will eventually come, 
and their risks are a known fact.[5] 

Many cities have been troubled by river tides, and they 
have made different choices for different problems. For 
example, Rome is located at the bend of a large river and has 
experienced many floods throughout its history. The Romans 
possessed the skill to construct long-lasting structures, yet 
they were unable to safeguard themselves from the Tiber 
River. The occupants' false sense of security was a result of 
relying on the superficial protection offered by flood barriers. 
In Rome, the inhabitants recognised the authority of the river 
and choose to accept the repercussions of floods instead of 
attempting to manipulate or dominate it, thus embracing a 
coexistence with the natural phenomenon. Three In New 
Orleans, Morphosis suggested a comparable concept, which 
involved reconstructing the city rather than constructing flood 
barriers. In order to shape its future, the city must relinquish 
a certain degree of authority over the river. An optimal 
resolution in this situation would be to construct buoyant 
dwellings. Morphosis holds the belief that architecture is the 
genuine remedy for the multitude of intricate challenges 
confronting our city. Architects must commence the design 
process prior to the occurrence of a calamity. Mayne also 
contends that design and infrastructure can be utilised to 
mitigate the extent of harm. [5] Both the macro and micro 
perspectives are rooted in this view. In particular, challenging 
the tradition of trying new floating house infrastructure on 
dense urban development sites to control the tidal changes of 
the river, that is, floating houses, is a good choice. 

The Foyle river possesses not just a natural function as a 
waterway, but also holds significant cultural, economic, and 
historical importance for Derry and its neighbouring regions. 
Londonderry experienced a surge in maritime activity during 
the 19th and early 20th centuries, mostly attributed to the 
favourable geographical characteristics of the River Foyle. 



 

178 

The region has high levels of cargo transportation and port 
trade, which in turn facilitate the growth of diverse enterprises 
associated with these activities. A multitude of manufacturers 
were strategically situated alongside the River Foyle, 
enabling them to exploit the river's hydroelectric power and 
transportation infrastructure for the efficient distribution of 
their goods to broader markets. Nevertheless, in the past 
several years, there has been substantial revitalization of the 
River Foyle's banks. The Derry Municipal Corporation is 
dedicated to converting the riverfront region into a cultural 
and recreational centre with the aim of enticing tourists and 
stimulating economic growth.  

Furthermore, the Foyle river holds significant importance 
in both geographical and political contexts for Derry. Due to 
the division of Derry by the Foyle river into the waterside and 
the cityside, and the complex historical background of Derry, 
particularly during the Northern Ireland conflict (The 
Troubles), there were significant divisions and conflicts 
between the Catholic and Protestant communities within the 
city. The river serves as a tangible and mental obstacle, 
restricting the exchange between neighbouring villages on 
either bank. Over time, the river underwent transformations 
not just in its physical characteristics, hydrological patterns, 
and ecological makeup, but also in its societal significance. 
The urban and industrial transformation also altered the 
dynamic between the two banks of the river. These alterations 
deviate from the path of the Foyle river. Urbanisation 
frequently exerts a more significant influence than 
industrialization. Regardless of the extent and nature of the 
changes, the river has transitioned into a new era. The 
construction of the Peace Bridge has resulted in the growth of 
business and residential areas on both riverbanks, drawing in 
investments and tourists, thus fostering the local economy's 
progress. The Peace Bridge enhances both the city's transit 
and infrastructure, while also fostering connections between 
populations previously separated by violence, both 
psychologically and socially. 

Maps from 1689, 1799, 1870, 1904, 2024 show that 
although the city area continues to expand and the width of 
the river channel changes due to the accumulation of sediment, 
the shoreline of the Foyle River has always remained 
similarly hard.(Fig.3) Combined with what was mentioned 
above, now driven by the University of Derry, the hard 
riverbank line of Foyle river is no longer in line with the 
mainstream of current social development and should be 
appropriately blurred. 

 

 
Figure 3. Maps from 1689 to 2024 

Mohammed Qasim Abdul Ghafoor mentioned in his article 
"Place identity in defining urban space of border rivers in 
historical city centre": In cities, architectural space can be 
transformed into place because architecture does not only 
include traditional values such as housing, human protection, 
stability, etc., but can carry other dimensions beyond housing 
or building occupation, or develop urban design. The visual 
movement of the river is a way to show its slow-moving 
dynamic process, which is only measured by time and the 
lives of citizens. The river paths in traditional cities can be 
seen as alleys connecting urban spaces.[6] Therefore, when 
the foyle river is not regarded as a river, but as a vital road, it 
needs to be naturally integrated into other streets. An entrance 
that can actively accept it is crucial here. Of course, it is worth 
mentioning that the architectural design of this entrance, 
which is the site here, should be designed in an open form.  

3.2. Urban Edge Space 
In contemporary culture, a multitude of unconventional and 

peculiar concrete structures have become the prevailing 
feature of urban areas. The prevalence of glass walls and 
standardised high-rise structures has led to a diminished 
appreciation and comprehension of the natural world among 
individuals. While there is a global enthusiasm for 
discovering innovative architectural designs and 
experimenting with novel construction materials, only a 
minority of individuals are ready to pause and reflect on the 
fundamental principles of architecture and the requirements 
of urban environments. 

The University of Derry is situated along a significant 
historical centre axis, which spans from Bishop Street to 
Shipquay Street, across the Peace Bridge and reaching St 
Columba Road on the waterside. The university employs 
schist as a design language for the purpose of urban and 
architectural development. A pedestrian corridor has been 
created as an intermediate area that runs alongside the centre 
axis, linking seven colleges - Microbiology College, 
Phytology College, Mineralogy College, Ecolonomy College, 
Ecosophy College, Hydrology College, and Pedology 
College. The path can function as an urban corridor that 
fosters community events, allowing residents and students to 
fully engage with the culture of Derry and investigate the 
enigmas of Schist University. 

The Phytology College, which serves as the culmination of 
the university, is situated on the outskirts of the city, which is 
simultaneously the intersection of the city and the suburbs. 
Because it is located in close proximity to the Foyle River, 
which is home to a plethora of plant species and sufficient 
water supplies, this area is home to a large number of animals. 
The most important thing is to figure out how to include the 
Foyle River into the university pathway while making the 
most of the characteristics of the location. It is a carrier that 
architecture is. For the city to continue to grow in a 
sustainable manner, it is essential to construct a building that 
is vibrant and to create an urban edge that is vibrant. 

3.2.1. The edge space of the building has a fuzzy range 
The logic of urban development always leads to the 

emergence of urban space boundaries. These boundaries can 
be objective, such as geography, administration, etc., or 
subjective, such as based on tradition and social norms. From 
the satellite map, it can be clearly seen that the city boundary 
line of Derry is very obvious. For the edge space of the city, 
these spaces are both extensions of the central area of the city 
and components of the external environment of the city, with 



 

179 

both enclosure and open space characteristics. Therefore, the 
space on the edge of the city should have fuzzy boundaries to 
reduce the feeling that the city ends abruptly on the map, 
which has creative significance for the future development of 
the city. The fuzziness of the definition of the edge space of 
the city means that the edge space of the building also has 
uncertainty. This functional fuzziness enriches the possibility 
of urban space form and behavior, increases the interest and 
sensibility of the space, and makes the edge space a dynamic 
place and visual center with multiple functions. Edward 
believes that the vague and ambiguous spatial definition 
makes the urban edge serve both the internal buildings of the 
city and the external environment of the city, making it both 
an extension of the central area of the city and an important 
component of the external environment of the city.[7] 
Therefore, the architectural space on the edge of the city is 
not restricted by specific functions, and its behavior is flexible 

and diverse with strong uncertainty. For example, it can have 
both transportation functions and be used as a leisure space. 

The picture on the right is Guy Debord's 1957 
Psychogeographique de Paris. Speech on the Passions of 
Love. This work cuts the city map of Paris into different 
pieces and connects them with red dotted lines, just like 
recreating new roads. This work reflects the author's idea of 
trying to establish a new relationship with the city. Kevin 
Lynch believes that the characteristics of a city are composed 
of important elements, that is, the overall perception and 
cognitive pattern of the city in people's minds. The image of 
a city is not only an objective spatial structure, but also the 
result of people's subjective perception and emotional 
experience. He emphasized that understanding and shaping 
the image of a city is of great significance to urban planning 
and design, and can help improve the functionality, aesthetics 
and living quality of the city.[8] 

 

 
Figure 4. Psychogeographique de Paris 

 

3.2.2. Improvisation of spatial experience 
Public Places Urban Spaces: The Dimensions of Urban 

Design emphasizes that the design of excellent public spaces 
should not only consider the physical characteristics of the 
space itself, but also focus on how to promote social 
interaction and activities among residents.[9] The interactions 
that occur when urban marginal zones control the functions 
that take place both inside and outside of the city can lead to 
the emergence of tensions and contradictions. The sequence 
of marginal spaces should not be constrained by particular 
functions; rather, it should be more akin to an improvised 
theatre scenario that is stitched together by behavioural 
activities. The venue allows for unrestricted interaction 
between individuals, and anyone is free to take on any 
position inside the area at any time. Through the 
transformation of the scene setting, they are even able to make 
the decision at any time to fulfil the role of either the audience 
or the performer. It is characterised by the improvisation of 
situational space behaviour, which is one of its hallmarks. In 
Phytology College, for instance, individuals have the 
opportunity to assume the roles of either students or teachers. 
However, when people approach the observation platform 
and take a moment to silently absorb the ebb and flow of the 
Foyle River, their identities are transformed into that of 
observers of the environment. At this point in time, they are 
no longer responsible for the transmission of information or 

education; rather, they are in a state of silence and reflection, 
during which they communicate with nature and enjoy the 
splendour and strength of the Foyle River. During this 
peaceful moment, everyone transforms into a fan of natural 
landscape, moving beyond the daily role positioning and into 
a more expansive and profound way of thinking and feeling. 
More opportunities are made available to the space as a result 
of the river and the city's perimeter being superimposed on 
each other. 

When the water level rises, the architectural space 
experience that is provided here will give the person who is 
experiencing it the impression that they are floating. The 
rising water level not only alters the scenery and surroundings 
surrounding the building, but it also has a significant impact 
on people's perceptions and the emotional experiences they 
have. It is possible that the boundary between the building 
that was initially fixed and the ground will become less clear 
as the water level continues to rise. Additionally, the 
experience of the interior area of the structure will be 
impacted as a result of this. For instance, the original 
pedestrian walkway might be transformed into a floating 
platform, and individuals will have the opportunity to 
experience something completely different in these altered 
locations. It is for this reason that taking into account the 
floating sense of the architectural space experience in 
architectural design is not just a visual effect, but also a strong 
emotional experience that causes people to reevaluate the 



 

180 

connection between Derry and the Froyle River. The 
fluctuations in water levels, both upward and downward, are 

also a random behaviour in time.(Fig.5) 

 

 
Figure 5. The location of the floating platform at different water levels 

 

3.2.3. Interactivity of the edge space of the building 
The architectural space of natural interest is created by 

allowing sunlight, scenery and fresh air in the urban 
environment to freely enter the functional space of the 
building. At the same time, the flow, penetration and 
integration of space make the marginal space have a certain 
degree of publicness and openness. The large open interface 
forms a vibrant place with affinity, which promotes the 
occurrence of various social activities. The fluidity of urban 
marginal space comes from a certain area of open space. The 
friendly and attractive open space stimulates people's social 
activities, and people can freely set their behavior paths and 
patterns in such a space, maximizing the public participation 
and autonomy of the space. Space is the carrier of human 
behavior and activities. In addition to the use function that 
needs to be paid attention to, it also encourages people to 
generate unique spatial memories through interaction with 
space, thus giving space a vivid and complete connotation. 
Maurice Merleau-Ponty proposed in "Phénoménologie de la 
perception" that physical space is closely related to our body 
or belongings. Their tangible connection can be described by 
relational terms such as up and down, left and right, far and 
near, and has irreducible diversity, that is, material space can 
be transformed into a diverse situational space, and this 
diversity comes from the situational experience generated by 
the interaction between people and space. [10] Boyer 
provides detailed case studies of different cities, emphasizing 
that different urban designs affect people's memory and 
perception in different ways. [11] After integrating many 
elements such as Derry's historical customs and social culture, 
the University of Derry organized the elements of the river 
and the city wall with special significance to awaken people's 
emotions and memories of Foyle River and Derry Wall. 
People give the University of Derry a new definition and 
dimension through the interaction between themselves and 
the space. 

4. Conclusion 
In the essay, the author explores the reasons why the 

boundary of the Foyle River need to be softened, exploring 
the topic from two perspectives: Foyle River and Urban Edge 
Space. 

First of all, the piece highlights the significance of the 

Foyle River to the University of Derry and its influence on the 
geographical growth of Derry City. The Foyle River, situated 
in Derry and its surrounding areas, served as a crucial cultural, 
economic, and historical asset, functioning as the central hub 
of a bustling port city. Nevertheless, as the city undergoes 
alteration and rejuvenation, the role and significance of the 
river are also undergoing a shift. The essay highlights the 
ever-changing characteristics of the Foyle River, with a 
particular focus on the influence of tidal changes on the 
ecosystem, economic endeavours, and community dynamics. 
Apart from that, it explores the potential utilisation of floating 
structures for the development of university facilities. 

Furthermore, the study delves into the significance and 
attributes of urban edge space. In contemporary urban 
planning, the urban edge has evolved beyond a mere 
delineation and now encompasses a zone characterised by 
ambiguity and multifunctionality. The University of Derry 
employs architectural design and strategically utilises urban 
space to seamlessly incorporate the Foyle River into both the 
local community and the academic fabric of the city. This 
integration not only improves the utility of the space, but also 
generates a lively and interactive urban environment. 

In the end, the goal of separating the edge of the Foyle 
River is not only to fit the ever-changing characteristics of 
water resources and the requirements of urban growth, but it 
is also to maximise the use of urban edge space, as well as to 
improve its diversity and publicness. For this reason, the 
Foyle River edge is being divided. By using this approach, 
not only is the sustainable development of the city promoted, 
but it also enhances the spatial experience and emotional 
connection of both residents and visitors, and it even increases 
the general quality of the urban environment and the 
experience that people have for themselves on a daily basis. 
By undertaking an in-depth research of the connection 
between water resources and building edge space, it 
accomplishes its goal of offering major theoretical and 
practical references for urban planning and development. In 
addition, it does this by giving these references.  

References 
[1] Soja, Edward W. Postmodern Geographies: The Reassertion of 

Space in Critical Social Theory. London: Verso, 1989. 



 

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[2] Zaucha, J. (2009). Planowanie przestrzenne obszarów 
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[3] De Beauvoir, Simone. "La phénoménologie de la perception de 
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[4] Boyer, M. Christine. The City of Collective Memory: Its 
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[5] Lynch, Kevin. The image of the city. MIT press, 1964. 

[6] Smith, Erin. “Redefining the Edge:: Life Without Levees.” 
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[7] Al Ani, Mohammed Qasim Abdul Ghafoor. "Place identity in 
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[8] Bruttomesso, R. "Complexity on the Urban Waterfront." In 
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[9] Gill, S., & O'Donnell, P. (2020). "Tidal variations in the Foyle 
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[10] Carmona, M., Heath, T., Oc, T., & Tiesdell, S. (2010). Public 
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[11] Maganzani, Lauretta. "Rivers and flood risk management in 
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