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Originally Posted by
soundmangler
It is interesting to see that the first response to this thread is such a positive take on the changes that are happening and I take your point on the diversity of the city having always been a great crucible for cultural development. Also I have to concur that the city has been badly in need of investment for many years and it is good to see that materialising. I will be very interested to hear what others think. Is the rise of the middle classes in the city centre necessarily going to lead to an increase in cultural activity? Is it not the case that most of Liverpools greatest cultural exports of the second half of the 20th century have come from the working classes?
It was debatable if John Lennon and Paul McCartney were working class at all, I would say more lower middle class. George Melly, one of the UKs greatest jazz musicians was from Liverpool and clearly not working class. Even the folk groups like the Spinners were hardly working class. The problem is that Liverpool acquired a working class identity and many only see the city that way. The more middle class people from the area: Rex Harrison, Glenda Jackson, Ian Botham, Peter Sissons, etc, rarely are mentioned as being from Greater Liverpool, yet Paul O'Grady, Freddie Starr, Ricky Tomlinson, Derek Hatton are. Middle class does not fit the media's image, its pigeon hole.
Middle class cultural activity in the centre may be more of the traditional type, however many will be strung along with the core cultures of the city. Thousands of people living in the centre with high expendable incomes and a high degree of diverse cultural awareness is a very good thing. This does not mean relegate the working classes complete with culture out of the centre. The mix is needed.
Are the glass and steel edifices that are being erected actually trendsetters of modern design or are they simply following a trend that is sweeping through city centres globally? I look forward to your responses.
Beetham West is fine and is a distinctive block. The sail shaped Brunswick Quay Tower was distinctive, yet the idiot council turned it down. Hit the link in my sig and go to the menu. The Shanghai Tower is to be in the middle of Princes Half-tide Dock and is to be the second tallest building in the UK. It will be stunning and three designs are on the short list - not a square anycity glass block. The initial core of talls were not that outstanding, however served their purpose in attracting others which will be.
Liverpool has to change or it ends up a dead city with a rich history like Venice (also a once great world trading city) with people visiting the old docks areas in the World Heritage Site and not much else. Liverpool is still a major port and commercial (not industrial) city with the port getting bigger with the post-Panamax container terminal being built.
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The city moves along and commerce, the port, should be the core if its economy. Other cultural related industries will tag along, like film and TV production (which is increasing) and of course the music industry. About time the city had its own distinctive hard core music business with a plethora of recording studios and companies based in the city. The city does have a world-wide image of music.
The change is welcome and must be managed properly. Water based environments on a human scale that promote cultural activities is what is needed. Culture and commerce must prosper side by side. It is just another chapter in the ever changing city, but change must be directed to the city's strengths.
I wouldn't call this an anycity waterfront. The blend of buildings is nice.
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