Post by Kev on Jun 24, 2004 7:03:01 GMT -5
THE continued growth of city centre living is crucial to Liverpool's renaissance, a leading commentator on architecture and design said last night.
John Elcock, from Liverpool's Centre for Understanding the Built Environment (CUBE), is speaking in a keynote debate in the city today as part of Architecture Week.
"Why is Construction so Backwards?" will look at the design and housing issues affecting Liverpool in the run-up to 2008, as the city literally re-builds itself.
He will be joined in the debate by Tony Siebentahler from the Downtown Liverpool think tank and James Woudhuysen r, from architecture group Audacity.
Mr Elcock believes the loss in population suffered by Liverpool over the last few decades is the chief threat to the city's economic growth.
He believes a vibrant city centre community is the best way of repopulating Liverpool.
Mr Elcock said: "We cannot have dynamic city centres without people living in them.
"Liverpool has always had a viable and strong inner city population.
"We already have 10,000-13,000 people living here and by creating sustainable developments and communities we can expect to see that increase.
"After all it's very difficult to build in south Liverpool any more."
But are the glut of "exclusive" and "executive" apartments - often owned by external investors - the best way of creating sustainable new communities in Liverpool?
Mr Elcock said: "There is no inherent problem with apartments, as a design they are fine.
"The key is about creating mixed tenure developments with affordable elements as well.
"Vibrant mixed communities are the key to successful urban regeneration.
"There has been a certain amount of property speculation but as the market starts to bottom out then we will see a lot more stability return." Although major schemes such as the Fourth Grace and the Kings Dock have tended to dominate the headlines, Mr Elcock believes some of the smaller city developments are equally meritorious.
He said: "If you look at the Old Haymarket scheme done by Arkheion - who are based in the Tea Factory - it has just won a silver standard in the Building for Life awards.
"They were the only architectural practice in the north of England to get that award.
"The Knotty Ash scheme by Shed KM has also recently won a sustainability award.
"It's fantastic that we have the flagship schemes like the Fourth Grace and Beetham Tower etc but there is a whole programme of work under way across the city."
And although aware of the debate around the city about the merits of different types of proposed developments, Mr Elcock believes the city should concentrate on just one thing.
He said: "Quality should underpin everything in Liverpool. It should not be a debate between old or new buildings, high or low, it's about keeping the quality high.
"The best design solutions come from the best architects, and its very encouraging when you see people like Ian Simpson (who unveiled plans for a 50-storey glass tower at Brunswick Quay on Monday) coming into Liverpool because you know he will deliver a quality development."
Source Liverpool Echo
John Elcock, from Liverpool's Centre for Understanding the Built Environment (CUBE), is speaking in a keynote debate in the city today as part of Architecture Week.
"Why is Construction so Backwards?" will look at the design and housing issues affecting Liverpool in the run-up to 2008, as the city literally re-builds itself.
He will be joined in the debate by Tony Siebentahler from the Downtown Liverpool think tank and James Woudhuysen r, from architecture group Audacity.
Mr Elcock believes the loss in population suffered by Liverpool over the last few decades is the chief threat to the city's economic growth.
He believes a vibrant city centre community is the best way of repopulating Liverpool.
Mr Elcock said: "We cannot have dynamic city centres without people living in them.
"Liverpool has always had a viable and strong inner city population.
"We already have 10,000-13,000 people living here and by creating sustainable developments and communities we can expect to see that increase.
"After all it's very difficult to build in south Liverpool any more."
But are the glut of "exclusive" and "executive" apartments - often owned by external investors - the best way of creating sustainable new communities in Liverpool?
Mr Elcock said: "There is no inherent problem with apartments, as a design they are fine.
"The key is about creating mixed tenure developments with affordable elements as well.
"Vibrant mixed communities are the key to successful urban regeneration.
"There has been a certain amount of property speculation but as the market starts to bottom out then we will see a lot more stability return." Although major schemes such as the Fourth Grace and the Kings Dock have tended to dominate the headlines, Mr Elcock believes some of the smaller city developments are equally meritorious.
He said: "If you look at the Old Haymarket scheme done by Arkheion - who are based in the Tea Factory - it has just won a silver standard in the Building for Life awards.
"They were the only architectural practice in the north of England to get that award.
"The Knotty Ash scheme by Shed KM has also recently won a sustainability award.
"It's fantastic that we have the flagship schemes like the Fourth Grace and Beetham Tower etc but there is a whole programme of work under way across the city."
And although aware of the debate around the city about the merits of different types of proposed developments, Mr Elcock believes the city should concentrate on just one thing.
He said: "Quality should underpin everything in Liverpool. It should not be a debate between old or new buildings, high or low, it's about keeping the quality high.
"The best design solutions come from the best architects, and its very encouraging when you see people like Ian Simpson (who unveiled plans for a 50-storey glass tower at Brunswick Quay on Monday) coming into Liverpool because you know he will deliver a quality development."
Source Liverpool Echo
