The purpose of this study is to propose a waterfront spatial direction that bridges urban and architectural domains, fostering water-friendly environments for utilization in daily life, and presenting a spatial planning poised to mitigate urban The purpose of this study is to propose a waterfront spatial direction that bridges urban and architectural domains, fostering water-friendly environments for utilization in daily life, and presenting a spatial planning poised to mitigate urban flooding. Recent extreme climatic phenomena have severely damaged urban areas from numerous water-related disasters. While there are ongoing efforts across urban planning, civil engineering, and architectural design to navigate these challenges, there remains a noticeable gap in cross-disciplinary research remains. This study aims to fill this gap, focusing on the urban water environment. As a methodological approach within this research, an investigation is conducted into the integrated spatial characteristics that correspond to diverse urban water environments. The cases of Vancouver, Canada; Berlin, Germany; and Rotterdam, Netherlands were selected to examine the spatial characteristics that respond to diverse urban water environments. These cases highlight the value of making citizen-friendly waterfront spaces, particularly through public, water-friendly areas. In terms of the analysis, the artificial urban environment resulting from urbanization is identified as the primary concern, leading to the distortion of the natural water flow. Thus, an integrated spatial planning for urban water environments is presented in response. Central to this planning direction is the concept of leveraging subterranean spaces and pedestrian pathways, reflecting water's physical characteristics in the urban environment. Additionally, the proposition of a water storage plaza serves as a preventive solution to urban flooding. In conclusion, this study anticipates the gradual realization of spatial planning direction that can prevent the increasing urban flooding and promote the activation of urban water spaces.