VIDEO | How to make skyscrapers work for everyone 

Tall buildings in cities like Liverpool can play an important role in delivering much-needed new homes without taking up much land. However, to be successful, they must be developed in a way that considers existing neighbours, according to participants at a roundtable discussion hosted by DeSimone.

Skyscrapers, like the ones planned by Davos Property and Beetham Group on Liverpool’s waterfront, were the topic of discussion at the roundtable that gathered developers, architects, council directors, and planners to debate what good looks like when it comes to tall buildings.

“It is really important that we are not just putting up these buildings in isolation,” said Darren Paine, principal at structural engineering firm DeSimone.

“[We need to] consider how they land and integrate and how they allow people who are not associated with the development to come in and use them.”

Key talking points:

• Viability is the biggest challenge to developing skyscrapers. A joint effort from private and public sectors, including national government, is required to bring them to fruition.

• Linking skyscraper districts with existing neighbourhoods and commercial centres is crucial to the viability of cities. Developing tall buildings in isolation will not work for anyone.

• It is not all about apartments. Delivering truly mixed-use neighbourhoods that provide places for people to live, work, and play can be instrumental in creating vitality.

• From a design perspective, tall buildings need to make a positive impression on the skyline but, perhaps more importantly, must also create a vibrant and inclusive environment at street level.

To learn more about what inclusive skyscraper development looks like, watch the video at the top of this article.

Participants

Hugh Frost, founder Beetham Group 

Chris Capes, development director, Peel Waters 

Darren Paine, principal, DeSimone 

Rachel Harrison, principal planner, Pegasus 

David Lord, director of property, Liverpool City Council 

Sunny Johal, development director, Glenbrook 

James Hind, partner, SimpsonHaugh Architects 

Chris Bolland, managing partner, Brock Carmichael  

Chair: Dan Whelan, deputy editor, Place North West