Photo by Laurie Byrne on Unsplash

UNESCO recently announced that the city of Liverpool has lost her status as world heritage site. With this announcement the focus is on the reciprocal relationship between development, heritage and culture as well as economic interests. Economic progress may often be the motivation for new developments. However, heritage and especially world heritage status can increase tourism and promote economic growth, job creating and cultural sustainability.

Liverpool’s world heritage status relied on the trade and harbour character of the city, alongside the Victorian docs dating from the Victorian era. Large scale infrastructure and developments undermine the maritime and trade character of the city. Venice maintained her status as a World Heritage site due to the Italian government’s decision to prohibit passenger ships in the Venetian lagoon from August 2021 onwards.