A team of international placemakers have been appointed to help shape the future of Liverpool’s waterfront, which is undergoing an ambitious redevelopment programme. Birkenhead News reports that the urban design and landscape architecture firm, West 8, together with BDP, have been appointed by Liverpool City Council.
Placemaking is defined as the process of shaping public spaces to create quality and community-focused places for living, working and spending leisure time in. West 8 and BDP already have a proven track record in this field, with an impressive portfolio including projects in New York, Toronto, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.
The new developments that have already been completed at Liverpool waterfront include premium office space, residential apartments, and retail and hospitality venues.
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.”
She added: “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.”
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.”
Meanwhile, Tate Liverpool is undergoing a comprehensive refurbishment to create a world-class gallery and arts venue in Albert Dock.