• Firmly place aesthetic/structural design issues in the wider realms of aspiration in city development, i.e.: commercial direction, manufacture, ecology, residential levels and function
  
  
• Explore exactly HOW cities work, create wealth and build, so as to force an understanding of what processes should shape the urban environment, rather than simply just 'design
  '
• Promote ideas that are common practice in the rest of the design world but are sorely absent in the Liverpool dialogue (i.e. reference, rather than reverence, with regards to roof and cornice lines, scale, massing and especially, 'appropriateness'!)
  
  
• Highlight the need for decisions to be based on options and that a full understanding of the consequences of implementing each is known.
  
  
• Insist that only informed choices are countenanced, and that decision makers be prepared to answer for the consequences of their choice.
  
  
• Enable decision makers to develop this understanding as to the wider impacts of their choices on the urban characteristic of the city and its ability to function as a city.
  
  
• Explore the latest ideas in urbanist thinking, economic and development approaches and test the possible consequences of choice making.
  
  
  The picture in the downtown of Liverpool and the wider metropolis is not unremittingly gloomy and we intend to highlight and celebrate examples of best practice where a clear commitment to 'holistic' design quality as well as considering other essential factors for urban growth has been shown. Design+ is not just about flagship buildings but also the everyday neighbourhood, the high street, the suburbs, the shops.. all the places we live...
  
  Whilst we develop our programme of actions, we have outlined a few thoughts below on various issues that we see as important to the development process we want to see applied in the city. As these are all 'works in progress' please feel free to contribute your ideas or critique the ones we proffer. Take a look at our 'Comment' section also. We intend that in time, some of these opinion pieces will inform and build a more substantial body of research which we will use as DL's 'Policy Stance' on the more important issues.
  
  
  

  Old Hall Street, Liverpool

  An Example:: Did the new hotel on Old Hall Street really need to have the shell of the old canal building retained? Is the juxtaposition elegant - or merely ridiculous? Design+ is an initiative to get under these issues and offer an unashamedly modern and pro-city perspective.

  
  
  How do we begin to change current perceptions as to what is 'appropriate' in planning and design? What are the major barriers to creating a working landscape that encourages good design and appropriate scale? How do we broach the concept of 'City-Building' and what indeed, are the wider considerations that must inform a more sophisticated approach if we aspire to build a proper, dynamic, beautiful, City?
  

Contributions please and digital images [72dpi 640x480px] to designplus@downtownliverpool.org