Client: Salford City Council
Location: Manchester, UK
Size: 250 hectares. 8km of river corridor
Skills: Masterplanning, Urban Design & Landscape Architecture
In December 2006 Manchester, Salford and Trafford Councils formed a partnership with key stakeholders and landowners to produce an imaginative and creative proposal for the regeneration of the cities' major river corridor, the River Irwell, as a new waterfront destination and as a catalyst for the wider regeneration of the heart of the city. Following an international design competition, a team led by Broadway Malyan was appointed to prepare the Design Framework.
Whereas the river had become a barrier and boundary, the Framework aimed to turn it into a healing and unifying element within the urban fabric, reconnecting areas which had become isolated and fragmented. An 8km stretch of high quality walkway with fully accessible foot and cycle paths was designed connecting the three major urban hubs of Manchester city centre, central Salford and Salford Quays, with five new bridges and linking several major new public spaces. The park was subdivided into a number of distinct character zones which responded to the varying context of the river corridor while providing a linking thread with a strong identity running through the whole park. The proposals aimed to transform people's relationship to and perception of the river, turning it into an exciting, iconic and dramatic route through the cities' historical core.
The project succeeded in harnessing the enthusiastic support of a diverse range of partners and generating a momentum towards change. We were subsequently reappointed to support a further funding bid and in January 2009 successfully secured appointment with Form Associates and Gifford as Design Team leaders for the pre-implementation phase.
Highly Commended at the Urban Design & Masterplanning Awards for the Landscape Institute 2008
Shortlisted at the BURA Waterfront Renaissance Awards 2008