Dutch urban design and landscape architecture firm West 8, together with UK architectural practice BDP, have been chosen by Liverpool City Council to work on creating an ambitious plan for Liverpool’s iconic waterfront over the next 25 years.

Between them, they bring experience in designing and developing major waterfront regeneration projects around the world. Headquartered in the port city of Rotterdam, with studios in the Netherlands, North America and Belgium, West 8 has extensive experience in the design and delivery of waterfronts around the world, including New York, Toronto, Madrid and Hong Kong. BDP meanwhile has a significant track record in Liverpool, having designed and delivered the Liverpool ONE masterplan, the redevelopment of Aintree Racecourse, the new Alder Hey Hospital, and Everton FC’s new stadium. BDP has also worked on waterfront projects in Shanghai, Melbourne, Hamburg and Christchurch in New Zealand.

A key task for West 8 and BDP will be to ensure the plan for Liverpool waterfront knits several regeneration schemes together in a coherent, legible and visionary approach. The team will be supported by consultants at WSP, focusing on connectivity and movement), and Ekosgen, responsible for social impact.

Designing with local knowledge, the team will engage with Liverpool’s communities, residents, and businesses and stakeholders, such as Liverpool BID Company, Grosvenor, Tate Liverpool, and major landowners, including Peel Land and Property, National Museum Liverpool, the Canal and River Trust, General Projects, and Liverpool Yacht Club.

Inequalities and deprivation

While an attractive cultural destination, Liverpool’s waterfront is close to neighbourhoods characterised by inequality and deprivation, while there are disparities, too, between the demographics of the wards along and adjoining the waterfront. The Council intends that this regeneration plan will form part of an approach to ensure future developments are more inclusive.

There are key challenges and opportunities, too, around maximising investment opportunities and economic activity in the docks; connectivity and linkages – between north and south and between west and east; public realm and quality of place; conservation and enhancement of the natural and historic environment; and climate change and net zero.

Liverpool’s draft waterfront plan features seven core aims:

• maximise the waterfront’s contribution to the city and city region’s economy;
• maximise the benefits of investment along the waterfront and ensure any revitalisation will benefit hinterland communities;
• enhance connectivity along the waterfront and in-land, promoting active travel and improving links between key areas of activity along the waterfront and adjacent communities;
• ensure the conservation and enhancement of the city’s heritage assets, and support the interpretation of Liverpool’s distinct historic maritime environment;
• inspire excellence in quality of place and urban design, reconnecting people with the water, and reinforcing the waterfront as a great location for business, homes, play, culture and tourism;
• identify the key infrastructure needed to support the regeneration of the waterfront; and
• consider environmental improvements and green infrastructure to improve the public realm and deliver sustainable, creative and innovative solutions to address the impact of climate change.

Nuala Gallagher, corporate director of city development at Liverpool City Council, said: “Liverpool’s waterfront is one of the UK’s most iconic destinations and one of the principal reasons we’re one of the UK’s most visited cities and one of the most filmed in Europe. Such is our ambition for the waterfront’s future, we need truly world-class experts who lead their fields – and that is exactly what we have in appointing West 8 and BDP and the wider team.”

David Rudlin, urban design director at BDP, hailed the waterfront strategy as a great opportunity to work on one the world’s “most iconic and recognisable riverside locations”, and one that will blend heritage and innovation.

“BDP has a long affinity with Liverpool, as the masterplanner for Liverpool One and with the work we have done on Aintree Racecourse and the new Everton Stadium on Bramley-Moore Dock,” he said. “We’re very excited to be working with West 8 to maximise the potential of an important part of the city fabric.”

Urban designer Martin Biewenga, partner at West 8, echoed Rudlin’s excitement. “We’re inspired by its rich history and heritage, and we see many opportunities to better link Liverpool’s diverse communities to the waterfront and to have their voice heard,” he said. “Working together, our goal is to create a welcoming and green vision for the waterfront, which thrives no matter the weather. The waterfront is a place for all.”

Further development

Liverpool’s waterfront has been transformed over the past 20 years enabling it to host major international events, from the European Capital of Culture in 2008 to Eurovision last May. Family-friendly events, such as the upcoming River of Light arts festival, are part of an all-year-round cultural offering.

Further regeneration projects are in the pipeline, most notably a potential significant housing scheme at Festival Gardens to the south of the city, and Everton’s new football stadium at Bramley Moore Dock, to the north. Liverpool City Council is close to finalising the design and delivery strategy for further development of Kings Dock’s, while National Museums Liverpool and Tate Liverpool are leading on regeneration projects at their Royal Albert Dock buildings, with major redevelopment also forming part of the Liverpool Waters scheme.