Liverpool ready to take lead as ‘retrofit city’
During a discussion at this week’s Labour party conference, participants emphasized that Liverpool needs to showcase a well-defined investment plan to unlock its growth potential.
The discussion was put together by shedkm architects, Planit landscape architects, the communications firm Somewhere, and the civil, structural, and transportation engineering company Civic Engineers.
Sophie Bevan, who oversees regeneration at Liverpool City Council, expressed the council's strong commitment to facilitating and directing development initiatives. She highlighted exciting upcoming projects, including the next stages of Festival Gardens and King’s Dock.
Earlier this month, the council reached an agreement to purchase the New Chinatown site, which has been inactive, from the administrators, pending approval from the court.
The recent leadership changes at Liverpool City Council have been welcomed by those in the development sector. The city is working towards bouncing back after facing some tough years, during which government officials had to step in temporarily.
Positive developments within the local government have created new opportunities for significant developers, who are now reaching out to the council to explore the possibility of collaborating in the city once more.
Key Insights: Full Speaker List Below
Everyone agreed that Liverpool and its surrounding area have a lot of potential that hasn't yet been fully realized. Damien Sharkey and Robert Sloss, the managing director and CEO of HUB, shared that they've attempted to invest in Liverpool on two occasions but faced challenges in making the projects financially feasible. Despite this, HUB remains enthusiastic about moving forward with plans in Liverpool. In contrast, over the last five years, the developer has successfully launched 1,000 housing units in Leeds and is eager to witness similar progress in Liverpool.
Stephen O’Malley highlighted how vital community involvement is for creating vibrant and joyful neighborhoods.
Anna James from Torus talked about the importance of having genuinely affordable housing in the North. She pointed out that individuals with low incomes are spending more than 40% of their earnings on rent.
Scott McCubbin from Somewhere highlighted how crucial it is to use place branding and storytelling to draw in investors and develop appealing environments for communities.
Chris Capes concurred and pointed out the advancements in Central Docks, where 2,500 new homes are being built close to Everton's upcoming stadium. He also emphasized the significance of ensuring quality and sustainability in the development process.
Even though Liverpool has lost its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the United Nations acknowledges the city for its commitment to sustainability. This week, it was also designated as an "accelerator city" for climate action by UN Climate Change.
David Connor, the founder of the 2030 Hub, urged more businesses to promote their sustainability initiatives and contribute to making the city a global leader in this area.
The discussion highlighted the importance of creating investment strategies that are both practical and sustainable, stressing the need for effectiveness and high standards.
Alan Robson from Project Four MD expressed worries about insufficient investment in contemporary infrastructure. He emphasized the urgent need to improve the Mersey tunnels and highlighted the importance of increased cooperation between different boroughs.
Liverpool faces difficulties in drawing institutional investment, especially when compared to other cities. One way to address this issue is by emphasizing innovative public-private partnerships and creating flexible land payment plans that promote the development of affordable housing and significant revitalization projects.
Hazel Rounding, one of the founders of shedkm architects, expressed that while there’s a lot of discussion around updating existing buildings, it’s crucial to also focus on retrofitting entire cities, beginning with previously developed but unused land.
Participants emphasized the importance of being bold in development and highlighted the significance of Liverpool's reputation as a city capable of successfully implementing sustainable and heritage-focused initiatives.
