The English port city of Liverpool has been removed from UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites, making it only the third site to be removed from the prestigious list.
The United Nations’ culture organisation’s World Heritage Committee voted in a secret ballot to remove the designation on Wednesday because of developments in the city centre and on its historic River Mersey waterfront.
The committee said the projects, including a planned new stadium for local football club Everton, were “detrimental to the site’s authenticity and integrity” and had caused “irreversible loss of attributes”.
But civic leaders in Liverpool expressed outrage over the decision, which came a decade after UNESCO officials last visited the city.
Local mayor Joanne Anderson branded the move “incomprehensible”.
“I’m hugely disappointed and concerned,” she said.
“Our World Heritage site has never been in better condition having benefitted from hundreds of millions of pounds of investment.
“But, whatever happens, Liverpool will always be a World Heritage city. We have a stunning waterfront and incredible built heritage that is the envy of other cities.”
Regenerated waterfront
Liverpool was named a World Heritage Site by the United Nations’ cultural organisation in 2004, joining landmarks such as the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
The city, which is the hometown of famous British rock band The Beatles, was put on the list in recognition of its role as one of the world’s most important ports during the 18th and 19th centuries and for its architectural beauty.
The docks declined and became derelict in the 20th century, but have been restored with museums, shops, bars, restaurants and new housing developments, making Liverpool a symbol of urban renewal.
