Full speed ahead: Liverpool looking to define plans for world-famous waterfront

The iconic waterfront is set to be the subject of a new masterplan to ensure its continued growth as a global attraction and huge economic engine.

A report, which is set to be discussed at Liverpool City Councils next cabinet meeting on 19^th September, is seeking approval to launch the search for a planning and placemaking team to prepare a strategy and masterplan that will guide the waterfronts development over the next 10-15 years.

Over the past few decades, the city’s attraction has undergone huge changes including the multi-billion-pound development of Liverpool ONE – a big retail establishment, as well as major upgrades to the Royal Albert Dock, Pier Head and Kings Dock, including the creation of an award-winning arena and conference centre, cruise liner terminal and the new Museum of Liverpool.

In addition, more regeneration projects are due to come to fruition along the Mersey shoreline in the coming years, most notably a potential housing scheme at Festival Gardens, which is situated to the south of the city and Everton FC’s new football stadium at Bramley Moore Dock which is located further north.

Against this backdrop, the local authority are also close to finalising the design and delivery strategy for Kings Dock’s further development and National Museums Liverpool and Tate Liverpool are currently leading on regeneration schemes at their Royal Albert Dock buildings.

If plans are approved the council will issue a tender for the appointment of ‘an exceptional team with outstanding expertise at an international level’ later in the year.

However, whilst the waterfront appears to be a thriving destination, there are challenges around inequality and deprivation in adjoining neighbourhoods, and there are disparities between the demographics of the wards along and adjoining the waterfront.  

Following this, there are key challenges and opportunities around maximising investment opportunities, connectivity, and linkages – north/ south and west/east, public realm and quality of place, conservation and enhancement of the natural and historic environment, as well as climate change and the city’s ambition to deliver net zero by 2030.

With these factors in mind, the waterfront masterplan will have seven defining aims which include:

• Maximising the waterfront’s contribution to the city and city region’s economy and sustainable development
• Enhancing the benefits of investment along the waterfront for adjacent neighbourhoods
• Creating better travel connections along the waterfront to ensure all neighbourhoods in the city have access
• Delivering excellence in the form of urban design
• Creating sustainable and innovative solutions to addressing the impact of climate change
• Identifing key Infrastructure needs to support the regeneration of the waterfront
• Considering measures for enhancing linkages/ permeability/legibility, including public realm, public art, way marking, environmental improvements and green infrastructure to create a sense of place along the waterfront

Councillor Nick Small, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for City Development, said: ‘The Liverpool waterfront needs no introduction. It is world-famous and is one of the UK’s most iconic destinations – as hundreds of millions of people witnessed when it acted as the beautiful backdrop to the city’s unforgettable staging of Eurovision.

‘As an asset, it has few equals for its history, cultural offer and infrastructure and for its breath-taking architecture. It is one of the principal reasons Liverpool is one of the most visited cities in the UK and why it’s one of the most filmed in Europe, be it hosting Hollywood blockbusters, like Batman, numerous TV mini-series or Taylor Swift’s new pop-video.’

‘The waterfront has changed dramatically in recent times, and it will continue with new developments at Festival Gardens and Bramley Moore Dock. How we ensure change continues to benefit our economy, environment and health is vital to our future success as a city,’ Cllr Small said. ‘The appointment of the team to lead on the development of Liverpool’s waterfront strategy and masterplan has the potential to have significant impact on the city’s profile and development over the next decade.’

Image: Liverpool City Council 

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