BDP to redefine Liverpool’s Waterfront story

In the last 20 years, Liverpool’s waterfront has been transformed, enabling it to host major international events from European Capital of Culture in 2008 to the Eurovision song contest last May, and now draws in millions of new visitors to the city every year. Popular family-friendly events such as the upcoming River of Light arts festival are also seen as a key element in providing an all-year round cultural offer.

More major regeneration projects are due to come to fruition, 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, which is being delivered by BDP Pattern.

Designing with local knowledge, the team will undergo meaningful engagement with Liverpool’s communities, residents, and businesses and key stakeholders, such as Liverpool BID Company, Grosvenor, Tate Liverpool, and major land-owners such as Peel Land and Property, National Museum Liverpool, the Canal and River Trust, General Projects, and Liverpool Yacht Club.

Whilst Liverpool’s waterfront is 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.

This new plan will form part of an approach to ensure developments coming forward are more inclusive, and the strategy will identify key challenges and opportunities for change to maximise benefit for communities along and adjacent the waterfront.

In addition, there are key challenges and opportunities around maximising investment opportunities and economic activity in the docks, 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.

Grosvenor/Jason Hawkes

It is intended that the final waterfront plan will be taken forward for adoption as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

Mark Braund, head of BDP's Liverpool studio, said: “Liverpool Waterfront is one of the country's most iconic landmarks and it has such a diverse heritage and context, from performance venues, sports stadiums and historic docks, residential neighbourhoods and creative districts - there is something for everyone. We feel proud to be helping Liverpool shape the vision for a strategy that will change the face of the city and bring more coherence and resilience to the area, creating a more prosperous, engaging, healthy and natural waterfront.”

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. I’m thrilled that we’ve been able to appoint such esteemed urban placemakers to help shape the next chapter in Liverpool’s waterfront vision and plan.” 

David Barbour

Samantha Campbell, Director of Planning at Liverpool City Council, said: “Both West 8 and BDP have a phenomenal track record on designing complex regeneration schemes and have an innate understanding of the role waterfronts have in big cities. Their reputations are truly outstanding and their experience internationally and in Liverpool will be a huge asset to this vital piece of planning development.”

David Rudlin, Urban Design Director at BDP, added: “Liverpool's waterfront strategy is a great opportunity to work on one the world's most iconic and recognisable riverside locations.

“A blend of heritage and innovation will create a place that celebrates the city's rich history, while embracing its potential. 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. We are very excited to be working with West 8 to maximise the potential of important part of the city fabric.”