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Was Liverpool's loss of World Heritage Status worth it? One expert certainly thinks so
Дата публикации: 19-07-2026 05:00:00
Professor Michael Parkinson is the expert on Liverpool's urban regeneration. Five years since Liverpool was stripped of its prestigious global title, he says the city hasn't looked back
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Professor Michael Parkinson is the expert on Liverpool's urban regeneration. Five years since Liverpool was stripped of its prestigious global title, he says the city hasn't looked back
06:00, 19 Jul 2026
"We did not want to lose our World Heritage Status but nor could we allow it to preserve our region in aspic, while the world evolves around us."
These were the words of Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, speaking five years ago this week, as the city of Liverpool was stripped of its highly sought after World Heritage Status, by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation - commonly known as UNESCO.
Liverpool was granted World Heritage Status from UNESCO in 2004, putting it alongside world famous attractions like the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal.
The listing covered a large area of the city's majestic waterfront, stretching from the Albert Dock along the Pier Head and taking in the historic St George's Quarter and some of our most famous and cherished buildings.
The prized accolade was an acknowledgement both of the city's status as a major maritime and mercantile city and of our history as such an important and influential port. It also recognised Liverpool's undoubted architectural heritage - with the Royal Albert Dock itself housing the nation's largest single collection of Grade 1 listed buildings.
But it wasn't The Albert Dock or the Pier Head that was of concern to UNESCO, it was a section of the waterfront a little further north.
The first major sign of trouble for our UNESCO status arrived back in 2012 when Liverpool Council approved plans for a massive £5.5 billion development from Peel Land and Property in the city's north docks.
That planned 30-year-development, which continues to grow today, will eventually see an area of former dockland stretching across around 148 acres turned into 21 million square feet of commercial and residential space.
Raising concerns about what they saw as the over-development of the historic docks, UNESCO put Liverpool on the naughty list at the time, warning that further planned developments of the docks could see the status removed altogether.
Of course there would be further planned development there and it would be one of the most important developments for the city in a generation in the shape of Everton's new home ground at Bramley Moore Dock - the now operational Hill Dickinson Stadium.
This was always going to be more than just a football stadium and city leaders had long pinned their hopes on the idea that a new arena would galvanize the further regeneration of what were largely derelict dockland sites in a part of the city that badly needed new investment.
So those plans progressed and UNESCO followed through on its warnings, stripping Liverpool of its World Heritage Status after a secret ballot of committee members voted in favour of the move during a committee meeting in China on July 21 2021.
They said the decision was made because the developments, including the planned new Everton FC stadium, had resulted in a "serious deterioration" of the historic site. The move was branded "incomprehensible" by then mayor Joanne Anderson.
But five years on, as the sun dances off the striking silver frame of Everton's hugely successful new stadium - which has recently hosted international rugby fixtures and could in future be a popular venue for summer music events, was Liverpool right to prioritise the development of its northern docks ahead of a globally-renowned title?
The short answer from the city's leading regeneration expert is yes.
"I didn't want to lose the World Heritage status and I don't think the city played its cards very well," says Professor Michael Parkinson, a renowned authority on urban affairs, especially in this city.
"It's a regret. But as I said at the time, to lose the World Heritage status would be a a shame. To lose Everton Football Club's new stadium and all the regeneration that comes with that, that would be a tragedy."
Professor Parkinson, who is close friends with perhaps the most influential figure in Liverpool's renaissance since the 1980s - Lord Michael Heseltine - believes that neither side acted particularly well in the row.
"We didn't do very well on the issue, but UNESCO themselves, I think, weren't fair to us. I think the process they went through was always skewed against us."
But he doesn't believe he has had a single conversation either in or out of Liverpool where someone has told him: "I wish we had never lost the plaque."
Professor Parkinson, known for his seminal 1985 book "Liverpool on the Brink" and its follow up, "Liverpool Beyond the Brink," says he had previously tried to do some work calculating the potential economic benefits of holding the status, adding: "Frankly, we could find very few indeed."
He adds: "Ultimately World Heritage Status should be for historic monuments, not for living cities. There's no conflict in heritage and innovation or modernization. I think we showed it.
"So, the answer is, my view, nothing has been lost. And frankly, let's be clear, almost the only good modern building built in this city is the Hill-Dickinson's stadium. And that was exactly why the status was taken off us. And so that, I think, closes the case."
Looking over towards the gleaming stadium, built on land that was formerly closed off and unused - it is hard to disagree.
"As we always said, that whole area was blocked off by the wall for 100 years, not open, entirely privatised, totally derelict," says Professor Parkinson. "So, I think the stadium itself as an architectural project has been fantastic. The knock-on impact on the area around is beginning as well.
"But if you have to say, 'Is there a clear sign?' - to see that stadium on that waterfront, on Premier League television across the world - it is an extraordinary site.
"The reputational benefits far outweigh the short-term reputational damage of losing World Heritage status. So, for me, it's game, set, and match. And frankly, I'm a Red, but I'm delighted that it is there."
While it may be moving slowly, it feels like the focus on the development of north Liverpool and the docks areas themselves are now a key priority.
As well as Peel's ongoing development of Liverpool Waters - including the government-backed Central Docks neighbourhood that will eventually deliver 2,350 new homes - other plans are also now afoot.
Most notably, The Kings Development on land at Gibraltar Row, backed by the Home Bargains empire, will see an array of skyscrapers change the face of the city's waterfront, providing 2,750 homes, a new five-star hotel and the city's tallest building along the way.
And the political will is there now as well. Earlier this year Mayor Steve Rotheram launched a new Mayoral Development Corporation, which seeks to fast-track development across 174 hectares of land between the city centre and the Blues' new stadium.
Professor Parkinson believes Everton "almost shamed the city into doing something about north Liverpool," adding: "Everton took the risk and did it. And because they took the risk and did it, they were far ahead of development and infrastructure. And it was only when they did it that the city said, 'My God, we have to match it'."
He adds: "In my book I said north Liverpool was a stain on our conscience. We've done the city centre, we've done South Liverpool. North Liverpool was too big and too hard. And I think Everton, by taking that punt, have made it clear we can't afford not to do it.
"They've led the way —and many thought it wouldn't work and it wouldn't happen, but it did."
"I think there is now at least a plan for North Liverpool. I think there is a story about what we're going to do with it, whereas 10 years ago, we had no idea, we didn't talk, we weren't doing anything.
He adds: "I would say the debate and conversation in Liverpool now about what kind of place you want to be, who is it for, what we're trying to do, is much better. And It's probably one of the beneficial consequences of losing the status. So, thanks very much, UNESCO."
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