For centuries, New York City’s waterfront infrastructure has supported maritime activities that forms the basis of the city’s economy. Beginning in the Dutch colonial period, the City used reclaimed land to expand its footprint. The British began the practice of selling water lots (shoreline) for development. Today, the waterfront includes reclaimed areas for both commerce and recreational activities. I.N Phelps Stokes, The Iconography of Manhattan Island, NYC Municipal Library; Manhattan waterfront, circa 1984-1990, New York Convention and Visitors Bureau photographs, NYC Municipal Archives.
