Beneath the Pavement, The Beach

During the Paris uprisings of 1968, the slogan »Sous les pavés, la plage« (»Beneath the pavement, the beach«) emerged as a rallying cry to reclaim public space from the profit-driven control imposed from above. It symbolized a desire for freedom, human connection, and playful interaction – values embodied by the beach. The call urged to uncover the untapped potential of cities, hidden beneath the rigid structures of modern urban life.
        Today, in the midst of the climate crisis, this metaphor takes on a new meaning – quite literally. As temperatures rise, there is a pressing need to reimagine urban spaces in ways that can alleviate the impacts of heat. »Blue spaces« – akin to green spaces – are emerging as key areas in the fight against urban heat islands, offering not only cooling but also spaces for recreation and community. Cities like Zurich and Basel have led the way, inspiring initiatives across Europe to transform inner-city rivers into accessible, swimmable spaces that offer both physical relief and a renewed sense of freedom.
       The Swimmable Cities alliance, founded in 2024, takes this vision further. Through the joint effort to reconnect citizens with waterways, the alliance is committed to a future where swimmable rivers are integral to everyday urban life. Yet many initiatives still face challenges in overcoming regulatory and infrastructural barriers. Christina Schraml (dérive) spoke with three members of the alliance – Tim Edler (Flussbad Berlin), Ana Mumladze Detering (Schwimmverein Donaukanal SVDK) and Chris Romer-Lee (Thames Baths) – about the movement’s political, social and ecological dimensions.