a tendancy I'm seeing with modern new-build in the city, whereby a developer buys a patch of land, builds a decent (hopefully) tower or something, but cuts it off from any other possible development with buffer-zone eyesore of meaningless grass-verges (fenced in too as in the case of the Formule 1 and the YHA Hostel), or just as bad, an ugly car-park.

This leads to lifeless buildings-in-isolation syndrome. Every 'showpiece' development existing and creating this distinctly SUBURBAN sterile undifferentiated dead-space, with no-one being able to fill in the gaps or add any contrast. I mean can someone tell me why the YHA has a dead-zone enclosed grass verge abutting onto the Strand???

I notice too that the Alexandra also intends giving us our very own dock-side car-park to look at. Can you imagine the Chrysler, Empire State, The Flat-Iron and Macy's all being 'protected' by a pig-ugly grass verge and separate car parks??

Urban devlopers should have to design urban developments NEXT to other urban developments onto STREETS.

Some of want a modern exciting metropolis for Liverpool not an al-fresco speculator's showroom.

Isn't that all part of the exclusivity of it all? Although the Towers at Princess dock are isolated.

I would have thought that modern towers are very security conscience. The Everton Towers that were converted from the council stock also have fences around them I think for the same reason.

It's not happening in London, Paris, Tokyo or New York.

Basically my message is, "build your ****in building, make it look ****ing great, then **** off."

Great Mysteries Of Our Time: What are grass verges in city centres really for? Strips for alien landing craft? Grass hair-weave production? What??

Ban em.

Isn't that all part of the exclusivity of it all? Although the Towers at Princess dock are isolated.

I would have thought that modern towers are very security conscience. The Everton Towers that were converted from the council stock also have fences around them I think for the same reason.

Seriously Kev, I think we just want buildings next to buildings and next to worthwhile spaces people can live in and around, not ugly windswept deserts.