In July 2010, I first came across an article from the Hull and Riding on the transformation of Woodcock Street from Beirut to something better. At that time, I sent the paper a Looks Like Beirut certificate addressed to the entire Woodcock Street population and I got a response. One key phrase from the response was:
I would also thank you for your good humored “award” which I have passed to the newsdesk. The point you make is a valid one and is duly noted.
Woodcock Street Today
Apparently, it hasn’t been noted – here’s a recent article from the same publication:
Once-notorious Woodcock Street, Hull’s ‘Little Beirut’, wins top accolade
In what was once dubbed Hull’s answer to Beirut, Woodcock Street is also basking in the glow of winning a national award for its dramatic transformation in recent years.
What made the area look like Beirut? “Rows of pre-First World War terraces” are the culprits. Beirut has gained another synonym apparently: old. We can now add that to dilapidated, destroyed and dirty.
BCD – Greatest Example of Reconstruction
Interestingly enough, Beirut Central District was discussed at the 2010 International Forum on Urban Development and was considered to be “one of the most notable examples of revitalization and reconstruction … the greatest example of reconstruction in the last decade”. So it seems unexplainable how Woodcock Street went from being Beirut (the greatest example of reconstruction) to something better. What’s better than greatest? Greatest-er?
Classy Night Life by Ahmad Moose via flickr
“Wandering through the streets of downtown Beirut.”
Looks Like Beirut Certificate
This time I do have a journalist’s name: Angus Young. Angus will be receiving a fresh “Looks Like Beirut” certificate as well as the a copy of the original email I received from Hull and Riding back in 2010.
Looks Like Beirut on Google Maps
View Looks Like Beirut – Mapped Across the World by Jad Aoun in a larger map