14 INSIGHTS
A natural train of thought SITE LINES
Irina Adam of Twelve Architects & Masterplanners describes an adaptive reuse project in Manchester which transformed a Victorian viaduct into a nature-rich public amenity
he rise in prominence of cities in the global economy over the past two centuries has led to an ever-increasing percentage of the world’s population living in ‘urban hubs.’ The global urban population now stands at 56% of the total global population – over 4 billion people – a figure which rises to a staggering 84% in the UK (World Bank, 2020). Manchester is the perfect example of this unplanned urban expansion, brought on by a boom in textile manufacturing during the Industrial Revolution. As more and more people migrated into the city from neighbouring rural communities to work in the cotton factories and shipping docks, green spaces had to be sacrificed to accommodate them. Yet the human need for access to nature is important and must be addressed in any architectural plan. The coronavirus pandemic has served to illustrate how crucial our relationship with green space is for our mental and physical wellbeing. However, it has also underlined the significant inequalities in access to green space across Britain. Take one example – a recent report by the National Trust found 295 “grey desert” neighbourhoods of 440,000 people in the country, with no trees or accessible green space. The brief for
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The human need for access to nature must be addressed in any architectural plan
the Castlefield viaduct project forms part of the National Trust Urban Places team’s ambition to address these inequalities. Manchester must confront the inevitable pitfalls of its past rapid development and look to create sustainable living spaces, encourage healthy lifestyles, and build an even greater sense of local community and resilience. As architects, our challenge is to help achieve this without compromising the historical soul of the place.
If Manchester is somewhat lacking in city centre green spaces, one asset it certainly is not short of is heritage. Often known as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, Manchester’s rich manufacturing history has left many traces throughout the city, particularly in the central district of Castlefield. Today, the legacy of over a hundred years of engineering innovation provides the
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ADF NOVEMBER 2021
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