A true habitat for all humanity in one city

Aug 16 2007 by Paul Corcoran, Liverpool Daily Post

IN MY glowing site-vest and hard hat, I cannot have gone unnoticed this week because the Urbanite has been finally doing something constructive. No, literally.

Not normally one to be seen on building sites, I found myself living out my prophetic words from last week’s column, donning protective attire and heading off to the Habitat for Humanity site in Toxteth.

I am very privileged with the work that I do, in that I get to go and support the many initiatives taking place in and around the city, but this has to be one of my favourite schemes so far, even if the required apparel wasn’t.

Habitat for Humanity is an international charity supported by the likes of Brad Pitt and the Hollywood elite, helping people with housing needs build their own homes. By working together with your new neighbours, a real community spirit is built up rather than creating a podunk backwater environment that resembles something from the hit Channel 4 show, Shameless.

Looking somewhat out of place in my orange hard hat and accompanying neon yellow vest (I actually opted for the long-sleeved version), I was intrigued to meet so many people who had travelled from around the world (and some from just across the road), to dedicate their time and energy to the project.

With the first three houses nearly complete, the scheme is now about to enter its second phase in their plan to create 32 homes. Next month sees the official launch with ambassadors and volunteers coming from all over to officially toast their fantastic achievements so far. I have even offered my support on the next stage, although to be perfectly frank, I think I will be more use making the builders’ brews than plastering the walls. Nonetheless, every little helps.

Still with the construction theme, earlier in the week myself and a recuperating Fester the dog (who has just recovered from a colossal operation, thanks to finding a doomed bone), found ourselves prevented from leaving our street thanks to a mammoth crane that had so conveniently nestled itself across the exit. This enforced imprisonment, however, allowed me to ponder the sheer number of workers dotted in and around the city centre right now.

So ubiquitous are they that there has even been the odd occasion when I have started to consider safety wear as a new fashion trend, especially when practically every other person in the city is wearing something or other covered in dust.

Rather than complaining about the obstacles placed in our way, I utilised my unexpected incarceration to take in the way our iconic skyline is changing. Not only are there new buildings rising on every corner, but the cranes that help construct them have become familiar symbols of our city’s regeneration process.

Like it or not, there are still more changes to be made to Liverpool’s horizon; the completion of Liverpool One, the new business district adjacent to Old Hall Street, Peel Holdings’ Singapore-style Liverpool Waters and the two new football stadiums (wherever they may be).

And so, as Fester and I carefully sidestep the latest cordoned-off area, narrowly avoid an oncoming JCB (you would have to see it to believe it), I have to say the progress being made here is nothing short of amazing. And when the armies of workers have left the streets and the JCB barricades have quietly slipped away, this city will be one hell of a habitat for humanity.