Lisbon looks to Liverpool for waterfront inspiration

Officials and business leaders from Portugal travelled to Merseyside recently to draw inspiration from Liverpool’s waterfront developments.

In a visit organised by property advisory firm GVA, a 14-strong delegation from Lisbon met political leaders and companies involved in the schemes transforming the city’s iconic waterfront.

The guests represented partners involved in Lisbon South Bay, a major urban regeneration project, and used the trip to develop and shape their schemes.

The delegation also sought to build further relationships with Liverpool and the Wirral.

During the stay, the group spent time with Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson and Wirral Borough Council Leader Cllr Phil Davies to discuss and view some of the major projects taking place either side of the Mersey, including Peel Group’s Liverpool Waters and Wirral Waters.

Mayor Anderson said: “It’s been fantastic to welcome the delegates from Lisbon, particularly as they have chosen Liverpool due to the city’s success in developing its waterfront.

“This is a direct result of the Waterfront Forum we hosted last year, which was created to encourage and improve collaboration and knowledge sharing between waterfront cities, and at this point Lisbon and Liverpool face similar challenges.”

He added: “I know the group have had a very productive visit, and I hope this is the start of a mutually beneficial relationship between the two cities.”

GVA Liverpool’s regional senior director, Stephen Cowperthwaite, commented: “From the growth that Liverpool has experienced in recent years, we’ve seen first-hand that investment into waterfront developments can bring far reaching economic benefits to the city region.

“It has been fantastic to host this visit and showcase our city region to an international audience and prove what a top-class model we have here.”

He continued: “There is still much more to achieve and it is exciting to be involved with new developments that will continue to shape both sides of the River Mersey, changing the face of the Liverpool City Region.”

The Lisbon South Bay urban regeneration project is promoted by Baía do Tejo (apublic company) and the municipal councils of Almada, Barreiro and Seixal for the development of former industrial zones along the River Tejo’s south bank.

Baía do Tejo executive board member Sérgio Saraiva said: “We see a lot of similarities between what Liverpool is doing and what we’re trying to achieve.

“During the 1990s we experienced the closing of some large industrial facilities in Lisbon South Bay that left significant brownfield areas that we are currently regenerating.”

He continued: “The great work done on the Liverpool Waterfront is an inspiring model and our vision is to transform the Lisbon Metropolitan Area into a great metropolis with two banks, open to the Atlantic. We look forward to continuing to work with Liverpool and other waterfront cities as we all work towards our common goals of developing our great cities.”

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