In 2021, Liverpool made global headlines when the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) revoked its World Heritage status, noting that new development along the coast had caused “severe deterioration and an irreversible loss” of the ancient value of the area. However, the loss of UNESCO designation has boosted the city’s commitment to preserving its heritage while embarking on growth.
The Royal Albert Dock is one of Liverpool’s most iconic landmarks. When it opened in 1846, it revolutionized global industry with its cutting-edge design. Built entirely of cast iron, stone and brick, the pier has become the world’s first non-combustible warehouse system. . The world’s first hydraulic cranes were supplied, halving the time needed to load and unload ships. The dock soon dominated world industry and dealt with valuable products such as cotton, silk, cognac, and tobacco.
But just 50 years later, advances in maritime generation made docks obsolete. After serving as a base for the British Atlantic Fleet and suffering damage in World War II, the pier remained ignored for decades until its revitalization. In 1982, a regeneration deal redeveloped the pier into a colorful center of commercial, recreational and residential activity. The site has been restored, the warehouses have been redeveloped into shops, restaurants and museums, and the seafront has been reborn as a cornerstone of Liverpool’s identity.
Liverpool was awarded the prestige of UNESCO World Heritage in 2004. This designation recognizes the city’s ancient importance in the world’s ports and architecture, placing it in the same category as the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal. The Liverpool heritage site has been divided into six areas, with the waterfront, which houses the Royal Albert Dock, taking on specific significance. A total of 380 elements and 138 hectares (approximately 340 acres) were under this prestige.
Almost two decades later, Liverpool has become the third city to lose its World Heritage status, after the Arabian Oryx Sanctuary in Oman and the Elbe Valley in Dresden, Germany. UNESCO says years of progress have irreparably broken Victoria’s waterfront. Objections first arose when plans were unveiled for the docks north of the Royal Albert Dock in a mixed-use progression, which UNESCO said would threaten the site’s heritage criteria.
Tensions have risen over the proposal to build Everton Football Club’s $973 million stadium at North Docks, a domain that has been in decline for decades. The project’s backers have promised to revitalize one of Liverpool’s poorest neighborhoods while preserving historic elements. of the docks. But plans for the 52,888-seat stadium included partially filling one of the historic platforms, a move deemed unacceptable by UNESCO. The stadium firm insisted that particularly adjusting the city’s skyline would lead to a “serious deterioration” of Liverpool’s former identity. By thirteen votes to five, UNESCO removed Liverpool from the World Heritage Register.
Joanne Anderson, then mayor of Liverpool, called the UNESCO resolution “incomprehensible”, arguing that the organization would see a “brownfield” and not a new progression that could only bring jobs and visitors to the city. Steve Rotheram, mayor of Liverpool Metropolitan Region, said the resolution does not “reflect the truth of what is happening on the ground”, and stressed that Liverpool deserves not to have to choose between heritage and regeneration. After all, other traditionally significant sites, such as the Tower of London, have retained their world heritage status even as the structure of skyscrapers has altered their surroundings.
Anderson noted that, at the time of UNESCO’s decision, Liverpool’s heritage sites had “never been in better condition, benefiting from hundreds of millions of pounds of investment across dozens of listed buildings and the public realm.” In 2021, only 2.5 percent of the city’s historic buildings were in disrepair, compared to 13 percent in 2000.
Despite being delisted by UNESCO, Liverpool remains steadfast in its efforts to maintain the city’s historic sites while embracing urban regeneration projects. Many of the ongoing advances are expected to be completed in 2024, including the revitalization of Canning Dock. Other projects will soon see the light of day.
As Liverpool City Council proudly states, the city would likely have lost its UNESCO designation, but it remains “the ideal example of an advertising port from the time of greatest British influence”. Alan Smith, Liverpool’s head of heritage preservation and development, said the city “does not need” the historic heritage designation. “UNESCO can take away our status, but they will never take away our buildings,” he added.
The Royal Albert Docks are an excellent example of how Liverpool has managed to combine historic preservation with modern development. Studies show that the reuse of the pier has had minimal impact on its heritage value and, in some cases, has even helped to protect and decorate it. Instead of being abandoned, the docks are a colorful destination where visitors can learn about their rich history while enjoying a cup of coffee.
Although UNESCO would have some gaps remain unchanged, the evolution of the seafront remains at the center of Liverpool’s cultural and economic life. Today the estate boasts several attractions including the Merseyside Maritime Museum, Tate Liverpool, The Beatles History Museum and the International Slavery Museum. The domain is also a lively center of hotels, restaurants and shops, as well as a popular stop for the city’s tourist buses.
Since squandering its heritage status, Liverpool’s tourism industry has grown by 21%, contributing $8. 1 billion to the economy. The city’s homework market has also grown by 13% since 2022, a testament to the city’s continued expansion and resilience.
Liverpool’s identity continues to evolve, with the Royal Albert Dock at the center of this transformation. The town has shown that it is imaginable to honor the beyond whilst construction for the long run – a balance that many towns aspire to yet few in attaining as smoothly as Liverpool.
Katarina Hall is a staff editor at Reason.
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