New East Manchester: Urban Renaissance
This project in Manchester which we made a field trip on this semester has great reference value. It makes a good example of urban regeneration. It usually contains multiple objectives in an Urban regeneration project. For example, urban regeneration includes a wide range of economic, material, cultural and political domains. Therefore, it should be regarded as a set of processes. Policies often include housing, health services, community empowerment, economic reform, image marketing, and physical infrastructure reform. Thus, urban regeneration strategies have become a tried and tested strategy for the central government, which hopes to promote brownfield redevelopment, reprice deprived inner-city blocks, and promote social cohesion (Lees 2008). The term “urban regeneration” reflects the idea of the city as an organism, requiring local areas (body parts) to be healed, repaired, or regenerated.
Fig 1. Masterplan sketch
by the late Will Alsop
The East Manchester Urban Regeneration Project involves three interrelated areas of action:
Neighborhood and Places Frameworks:
The new vision of new Islington connecting the existing Ashton and Rochdale Canal with a new quay creates a European-style waterside community in the heart of Manchester. A place of green squares, homes, businesses, schools, and infrastructure that will continue to connect old and new. A local community, historic canals, stunning mills, and landmarks of modern Manchester. Water which means blue spaces play an important role in the process of health and well-being.
Fig 2. New Islington – Urbansplash
People and community Framework:
Building supporting schools, hospitals, and other infrastructure to ensure appropriate levels of education, and residential quality. Attract different kinds of families such as young people, families with children and old people living in this place. In specific actions related to community renewal, the residential area with a public park is a good way to support people. It makes working adults easily accompany children and promote awareness of the adoption of healthy and sustainable lifestyles. The project combines small to medium-scale communities with mixed residential and commercial structures, high-supply services, and efficient mobile infrastructure. To strengthen housing supply, public space and services, and social cohesion.
Fig 3. Pollen Bakery – Urbansplash
Economic and employment Framework:
Make the neighborhood a better place to live, work and play. Developers bring much-needed new homes, work Spaces, community Spaces, and facilities. The converted factory is now a new office building, for fashion design studios and other small businesses. Launch new start-ups to increase employment opportunities and attractiveness to new investment.
Fig 4. Stubbs Mill – Urbansplash
In conclusion, regeneration areas include improving the quality of the city’s housing supply and services, enhancing mobility and connectivity with other cities’ historic heritage and biodiversity, and reducing the environmental impact of new buildings (Mace, Hall and Gallent, 2007). Ensure appropriate levels of education, involve families in specific actions related to community renewal, accompany young people and working adults and promote awareness of the adoption of healthy and sustainable lifestyles.
References:
Bayliss, S. and Bergin, R., n.d. The modular housing handbook.
Chiara Testoni et.al., Architectoni.ca 2014, Online 4, 21-28
Mace, A., Hall, P. and Gallent, N., 2007. New East Manchester: Urban Renaissance or Urban Opportunism?. European Planning Studies, 15(1), pp.51-65.
2008–2018 East Manchester Strategic Regeneration Framework: Revised Targets, 2011, available at: http://www.manchester.gov.uk/download/meetings/id/12140/9_revised_targets_for_the_2008_%E2%80%93_2018_east_manchester_strategic_regeneration_framework_and_the_201112_to_201314_new_east_manchester_implementation_plan (accessed 17/12/2014)
The blog has the advantage of being relatively logical and clear. Community design in Manchester is discussed based on four case studies each containing neighbourhood, economic, historical and cultural as well as some psychological aspects. The blog uses case studies to support its ideas. At the same time, the author also offers many of his own views. Therefore, it is very good to see some valuable information and the unique thinking of the author in the blog.
However, the blog also has some shortcomings. For example, the blog makes some points but does not discuss them in detail, only talking relatively superficially about the phenomena and problems, which would make the strength of its points slightly less. Secondly, the core arguments of the article are not compelling enough and fall slightly flat. Finally, another shortcoming is that the concluding paragraph does not present a valuable summary, but only mentions some rather superficial phenomena and reflections. I think this aspect could be improved.
Overall, the blog has a unique perspective and reflection, which is very valuable. However, the depth of thinking and the level of detail in the exposition could be improved.
As one of the people accompanying the research in Manchester, I also got a strong sense that the various renovation measures and designs in the area are very inspiring. For me, who is in the process of designing several courses, the research provided many valuable references, including the concepts mentioned in the blog about urban regeneration, community building and economic enablers. The masterplan for this part of Manchester enhances accessibility by linking the old and new urban areas, attracting a diverse population system to the site by providing a variety of residential buildings. The multi-use buildings are placed at the heart of the area to attract investment and enhance the vibrancy of the area, creating a pleasant community atmosphere in conjunction with the waterfront park within the site. As the blogger mentions here, a place with a full range of infrastructure, commercial services, natural planning and community operations will be able to develop better and thus better serve the local population and even visitors to the area.
Yue, thank you for such an informative blog, although I have a unique perspective on the New Islington masterplan. I felt as though the design intentions did not match the execution. This was clear as certain parts of the development now contain smaller housing units than initially proposed. Although, I will admit that funding is a key problem for all development projects.
The masterplan was developed around the idea of permeable fingers. Although these allow access and permeability, the zones between the longer sides of the buildings feel like dead spaces. The green space adjacent to the chips building feels like an attempt to satisfy planning requirements. The building immediately opposite this space is a bad copy of the chips building, without a face. I find that buildings without faces do not help the sense of identity that we designers try to foster. The chips building itself designed as a model building for the masterplan cuts off the streetscape by being on various levels to the street. I feel that we can learn from this project as a guide and reminder that master planning/urban design must be an end-user led approach.
Urban regeneration is improving the quality of life for residents and investing in the future (Alpopi, 2013). New Islington is a 20-year regeneration project that is often appraised as being one of the “Best Places to Live”. However, I do think some elements of the design haven’t been considered in terms of longevity, leading to weathered facades, and disrupting the wider aesthetic.
Moreover, it’s essential in regeneration, to improve conditions whilst maintaining economic accessibility to avoid gentrification (Alpopi, 2013). This is not always achieved, as the economy booms, prices rise and housing often becomes unaffordable. Mo summarises this above, “we must consider the end users”, to design places for current and future generations.
Another case study of city-wide and policy-led regeneration is Dundee, most notably its waterfront. The council is taking extensive action to revive the city to create more thriving and healthy communities for residents and regenerate local economy (Milne, n.d.).
The above blog also highlights the role policy can play in facilitating the urban revival of deprived areas. A good example of this is the high streets strategy, launched in 2021, which looks at transforming destitute streets to renew communities for current and future generations (MHCLG, 2021).
1. Alpopi, C. Manole, C (2013) Integrated Urban Regeneration – Solution for Cities Revitalize. Procedia Economics and Finance. Vol 6. pp 178-185.
2. Milne, D. (n.d.) Dundee from waterfront redevelopment to city economy regeneration. [online] Available at: http://www.scottishpolicynow.co.uk/article/dundee (Accessed on 19/05/22)
3. MHCLG (2021) Government Strategy to Regenerate High Streets. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-strategy-to-regenerate-high-streets (Accessed on 19/05/22)