Wikipedia

Esplanade

(Redirected fromPromenade)
"Promenade" redirects here. For other uses, seePromenade (disambiguation)andEsplanade (disambiguation).
For the neighbourhood of Kolkata, seeEsplanade, Kolkata.

Anesplanadeorpromenadeis a long, open, level area, usually next to a river or largebody of water,where people may walk. The historical definition ofesplanadewas a large, open, level area outsidefortressor city walls to provide clear fields of fire for the fortress's guns. In modern usage, the space allows the area to be paved as apedestrian walk;esplanades are often on sea fronts and allow walking whatever the state of thetide,without having to walk on thebeach.

Many people walking on a boardwalk at the beach in Atlantic City, New Jersey
TheAtlantic City,New Jerseyboardwalkesplanade, as seen fromCaesars Atlantic City,opened in 1870, as America's first boardwalk. At5+1⁄2miles (9 km) long, it is also the world's longest and busiest boardwalk. New Jersey is home to the world's highest concentration of boardwalk esplanades.
Central City Park, Macon, GA; May Day, 1876

History

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In the 19th century, the razing of city fortifications and the relocation of port facilities made it possible in many cities to create promenade paths on the former fortresses and ramparts. The parts of the former fortifications, such as hills, viewpoints, ditches, waterways and lakes have now been included in these promenades, making them popular excursion destinations as well as the location of cultural institutions. The rapid development of artificial street lighting in the 19th century also enabled safe use in the evening. One example of this is Vienna'sRingstrasse.

Esplanades became popular inVictorian times,when it was fashionable to visitseaside resorts.A promenade, often abbreviated to '(the) prom', was an area where people – couples and families especially – would go to walk for a while in order to 'be seen' and be considered part of 'society'. Beach promenades such as thePromenade de la CroisetteinCannes,the famousPromenade des Anglaison the Mediterranean coast inNiceor the Lungomare ofBarcolainTriestestill play a central role in city life and in the real estate market.

In the United States,esplanadehas another meaning, being also amedian(strip of raised land) orbermdividing a roadway or boulevard. Sometimes they are just strips of grass, or some may have gardens and trees. Some roadway esplanades may be used as parks with a walking/jogging trail and benches.[1]

Esplanadeandpromenadeare sometimes used interchangeably. The derivation of "promenade" indicates a place specifically intended for walking, though many modern promenades and esplanades also allow bicycles and other nonmotorized transport.[2]Some esplanades also include largeboulevardsoravenueswhere cars are permitted.

A similar term with the same meaning in the eastern coastal region of Spain isalamedaAlameda de Hercules, Seville,orambla,such asLa Ramblain Barcelona, but more widely used terms in the rest of theHispanic worldarepaseo marítimo( "esplanade" ),paseo( "promenade" ) orexplanada( "esplanade" ).

Examples

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Asia

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India

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Malaysia

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Philippines

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United Arab Emirates

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Others

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Americas and Caribbean

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United States

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Others

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Europe

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Others

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Inland

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See also

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References

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Wikimedia Commons has media related toPromenades.
  1. ^"Adopt-An-Esplanade".City ofHouston.May 2013.
  2. ^Tony Russell,Cycling EnglandArchived2011-01-31 at theWayback Machine,January 2010
  3. ^abEurope's longest beach promenade from Bansin to Świnoujście(12 km)
  4. ^"New sections of Iloilo Esplanade launched".pna.gov.ph.Retrieved2021-09-04.
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