Abstract
This paper investigates the processes by which the regeneration of the historical Pier Head waterfront in Liverpool took place during the first decade of the twenty-first century. The research focuses on three key regeneration projects at Pier Head Waterfront, namely the Fourth Grace, the New Museum of Liverpool and Mann Island Development. Each of these projects has undergone a relatively different process and, hence, faced different challenges and produced different outcomes. This study is based on a series of lengthy interviews with key stakeholders closely linked with the regeneration of the waterfront, a review of project related documents including urban design policy and guidance, a substantial review of relevant news articles that were written throughout the period of the recent transformation of the waterfront, and numerous site visits. By understanding the peculiarities of the global forces that drive large scale developments and the local context in which they occurred at Pier Head, several insights regarding the process of regeneration emerge. Findings foreground the role of urban design in urban waterfront regeneration, illustrating that despite the complexity of managing change, urban design has the capacity to mediate between the local and global forces and the needs/desires of investors and local communities. Urban design is also imperative for challenging the negative impact of globalisation on the urban landscape
Highlights
Since the decline of waterfronts in post-industrial cities the concept of waterfront regeneration has become widespread. Bruttomesso (2001) indicated that many cities have reacted to the presence of derelict areas with innovative programs of regeneration, characterised an opportunistic application of new urban ideas (Bruttomesso, 2001). Dovey (2005) pointed out that as a result, the waterfront has become a primary scene for experimentation in architecture, planning and urban governance
This paper aims to distil part of the story of Liverpool waterfront regeneration through engaging in a discourse that focuses on the regeneration of the historical Pier Head waterfront
The regeneration of historic waterfront sites is an extremely complex process. This complexity arises from the need to satisfy a number of global conditions that are based on competition and market preferences while responding to local needs and heritage
Summary
Since the decline of waterfronts in post-industrial cities the concept of waterfront regeneration has become widespread. Bruttomesso (2001) indicated that many cities have reacted to the presence of derelict areas with innovative programs of regeneration, characterised an opportunistic application of new urban ideas (Bruttomesso, 2001). Dovey (2005) pointed out that as a result, the waterfront has become a primary scene for experimentation in architecture, planning and urban governance. Bruttomesso (2001) indicated that many cities have reacted to the presence of derelict areas with innovative programs of regeneration, characterised an opportunistic application of new urban ideas (Bruttomesso, 2001). Dovey (2005) pointed out that as a result, the waterfront has become a primary scene for experimentation in architecture, planning and urban governance. With the huge proliferation of the number of waterfront projects worldwide, the urban waterfront has become associated with ways to reshape the image of a city, recapture economic investment and to attract people back to abandoned sites. The regeneration of derelict waterfronts, magnifies a number of conflicting urban forces, such as the objectives of the developers and the conservationists, the needs of global investors and the local/traditional residents, and others. The regeneration of derelict waterfronts, magnifies a number of conflicting urban forces, such as the objectives of the developers and the conservationists, the needs of global investors and the local/traditional residents, and others. Dovey (2005, p. 9) stated that: City, Culture and Architecture 2015; 1(1): 21-38
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
