Community Waterscapes: Engaging Local Communities with Hull’s Maritime Heritage

Participants in these workshops shared stories about their personal connections to the city’s watery environment, tracing their multi-generational maritime histories. They explored a range of historical maps to examine how Hull’s waterfront has evolved over time and identified places of significance—both lost and preserved. This collaborative approach provided a platform for community members to reflect on the dynamic relationship they have with the River Humber, estuary, and the North Sea, as well as the local landscape that has been shaped by water.

Community Waterscapes is committed to documenting Hull’s cultural and environmental heritage. By gathering personal stories, local knowledge, and environmental insights, the project aims to create a digital Story Map, which will be publicly accessible later this year. This Story Map will serve as a community-led record of Hull’s maritime history, featuring personal anecdotes, landmarks, and memories tied to the city’s relationship with water.

The project, officially endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, supports efforts to change humanity’s relationship with the ocean and promotes the conservation of local heritage in the face of climate change. By continuing to engage the community, Community Waterscapes hopes to influence local decision-making around spatial planning and environmental action.

For updates and to learn more about how you can get involved, visit the Community Waterscapes Story Map and keep an eye out for future workshops and community-led events in 2025.