Member Article

InterPro Series Celebrates 175 Years of Albert Dock

September 22 saw the launch of InterPro 175, a lecture series that set out to examine and explore the learning taken from the regeneration of the heritage-led development that is Albert Dock, as the attraction heads towards its 175th anniversary in 2021.

InterPro 175 brought together the professions of the built environment to develop a wider collaboration of the connecting services on a building project. The InterPro 175 series of CPD lectures heard from Paul Sheppard of the IBI Group looking at the lessons learned from a heritage project like Albert Dock from his time working with John Flamson of MDC (Merseyside Development Corporation), who led the Albert Dock regeneration back in the 1980s.

The InterPro 175 series, held at the Martin Luther King building in the Albert Dock, acknowledged those who played a part in Albert Dock’s success as a heritage mixed-use project, while looking to the future, lessons learned and parallels in a range of international comparisons.

Wendy Morgan, heritage and conservation officer for Liverpool City Council, walked through the scope of her role in the restoration of a heritage project, while Paul Grover, of Arup, looked across the globe for similar examples and how regeneration of a city can benefit from waterfront schemes. Mark Osborne, of Alec French Architects discussed the Bristol Harbourside regeneration, and contrasting approaches to heritage restoration projects of this nature. The event was chaired by Ian Wray, trustee of World Heritage UK, and hosted by Sue Grindrod, chief executive of Albert Dock Liverpool. The launch was sponsored by industry specialists ARUP, who have been active in a number of transformational projects across the city.

Katie Wray, chair of RTPI, organiser of the first event, said:

“It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Albert Dock to curate a lecture series with InterPro as part of our multi-disciplinary professional development, and the 175th anniversary plans. Albert Dock is a fantastic example of heritage led regeneration and has created the opportunity for the professions to come together and share their knowledge. Close inter-professional working is key to the success of projects and I hope many new connections and partnerships will be formed over the next five years. I am already looking forward to the next event in March 2017!

Gary Banks, director of Arup, added:

“As a global independent firm of designers, planners, engineer’s, consultants and technical specialists we draw on individuals and their knowledge, across the spectrum of professional bodies represented through this new event. At Arup we believe that collaboration across professional bodies makes for stronger projects, and events like this that encourage the sharing of ideas and knowledge across these professional bodies should be actively encouraged.”

Sue Grindrod, chief executive of Albert Dock Liverpool - Gower Street Estate, added:

“The 175th anniversary in 2021 will provide us with an exciting opportunity to celebrate Albert Dock’s rich history of regeneration and architectural achievements. Born out of ambition and innovation, Albert Dock plays a key role in the regeneration of Liverpool and has now become the North West’s most visited free tourist attraction, which we are extremely proud of. I would like to thank ARUP and especially Katie Wray, Chair RTPI and all of the partners for their invaluable support in bringing the lecture series to life. We now have an opportunity to shape the vision for the next 30 years and establish the Dock’s importance for future generations.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Dolly Draper .