Current Watch Site

Charleston was founded in 1670 by English colonists and relocated in 1680 to its present location, where the Ashley and Cooper rivers meet the Atlantic Ocean. Residential, commercial, administrative, and ecclesiastical buildings in a grand array of styles from Georgian, to Regency, Federal, and Gothic Revival, neoclassical and Italianate styles dot the historic city. (...)

Charleston was founded in 1670 by English colonists and relocated in 1680 to its present location, where the Ashley and Cooper rivers meet the Atlantic Ocean. Residential, commercial, administrative, and ecclesiastical buildings in a grand array of styles from Georgian, to Regency, Federal, and Gothic Revival, neoclassical and Italianate styles dot the historic city. Charleston Historic District lies on a peninsula in Charleston harbor, which now accommodates cruise ships of a substantial size. The waves of increased visitors impact the city’s urban and social fabric, and the concerns in Charleston echo challenges faced in many historic port cities with cruise ship tourism. More tourists bring economic benefits, but they also create increased traffic that requires careful planning to ensure the continuing protection of the historic urban center, which has evolved over the centuries but retains the distinct character of a city formed in an earlier time. Balancing the preservation of heritage, quality of life needs, and new economic opportunities is a constant and complex dialogue. As witnessed in many places around the world, the rapid, unregulated growth in cruise ship arrivals compels the development of a sustainable plan that will encourage tourism and a thriving historic center. It is hoped that such a plan can serve as a model for many other historic port cities and towns worldwide that confront similar issues.