26 CONTEXT 180 : JUNE 2024 MARIE LE DEVEHAT and URMILA JHA-THAKUR Birkenhead Park shows the way The world’s first publicly funded civic park demonstrates what an urban green space can offer to the environment and local community in a world of climate change. With the industrial revolution reaching its peak in the early 1840s, people leaving the countryside led to rapid and unplanned urbanisation. Urban centres such as Liverpool became overpopulated, and the living conditions of the working class deteriorated. High densities led to the spread of epidemic diseases, leading political leaders to recognise the need to improve urban sanitation. The small village of Birkenhead developed into a new town on the fringe of its giant neighbour Liverpool across the River Mersey. Soon after the introduction of steam ferries, Birkenhead became an attractive – and healthier – place to live for the industrialists and merchants expanding their business on the other side of the river. In 1833, the Birkenhead Improvement Act enabled the growth of the town. Ten years later, a second act approved the creation of a park. Birkenhead Park’s Grand Entrance (Photo: Ron Thomas) The Swiss Bridge glimpsed through summer vegetation
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