Cities on Water defines three main fields of enquiry for its activities: the revitalisation of urban Waterfronts and the recovery of the Historical-Industrial Heritage linked to water; different aspects of the City-Port Relationship and the re-launch of Waterborne Transport.

On these issues, the Centre organises International Meetings and promotes co-operation with several public bodies, organisations and institutions, on national and international levels; it is further responsible for outlining and distributing the contents and the results of European Projects connected to the Centre's activities.