Not every city can be lucky enough to have a spot by the ocean or a lake, but a thousand times as many can at least build canals throughout and around. Here's Utrecht, gold standard Dutch #GoodUrbanism 
If possible, dig your canals wide enough to let people keep houseboats on them. Not for everyone, but it is an easy way to make interesting use of urban space. Houseboats, as here in Amsterdam, are #GoodUrbanism.
Above all, keep cars out. Canals are good at that. Like in the medieval center of Alkmaar, which had 10,000 living on a 0.56km² sandbar. Not a place to pass through, but a place to stay. Narrow streets for people are #GoodUrbanism.
