Half-Manchester

HALF-

SKN 2021/2022

CHAPTER TITLE

MANCHESTER

MArch 6th Year Thesis SOME KIND OF NATURE ANGHARAD JONES + EVA FILOSE

2021/22

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Contents 01_

HALF-MANCHESTER

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SKN 8

Some Kind of Nature Atelier

The Issue 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

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04_

The Method 22 24 26 28 30

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A New Understanding Of The Architects Role Wicked Problems What Is Speculative Design Cone Of Possibilities Creating A Narrative

The Sixth Mass Extinction The Anthropocene The Anthropogenic Biosphere Rate Of Extinction Biodiversity How Does The Issue Of The Sixth Mass Extinction Effect Greater Manchester?

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)

Half - Earth Theory 34 36 38 40

Half-Earth Why Is It Half The Earth?

Habitat Fragmentation Steps To Establish Half-Earth

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06_

Greater Manchester 44 46 48 50 52 54

Current Masterplan Of Greater Manchester Greater Manchester’s Contrasting Human And Animal Population The Broad Habitat Type Covering Greater Manchester The Current Biologically Important Protected Land Mapping The Areas At High Risk Of Flooding Mapping The Best Quality Agricultural Land And Contours

Half - Manchester 58 60 62 70 72 76 78 79

Half- Manchester Road Map Half- Manchester A Breakdown Of Half-Earth Implemented In Greater Manchester Half-Manchester As A Self Sufficient Utopia Collages Project Recap References Map Appendix

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INTRODUCTION

What would happen if Greater Manchester gave up half its land? Half-Manchester addresses the growing issue of the climate crisis in Manchester and the need for innovative ideas that conserve biodiversity to make a more resilient place for both humans and nonhumans alike.

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INTRODUCTION

This project aims to raise awareness of the global issue of the 6th mass extinction using speculative design methods to provide a ‘plausible’ projection of Greater Manchester’s future incorporating scientific theories and contemporary designs prioritising biodiversity.

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Some Kind Of Nature

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SOME KIND OF NATURE

Atelier Some Kind of Nature (SKN) redefines our engagement with the environment as a multivoiced narrative, where diverse actors are given agency.

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SOME KIND OF NATURE

Interdisciplinarity is at the core of our team and approach (social science, landscape, and architecture). We extend that collaborative ethos to morethan-human actors.

We place climate and biodiversity concerns at the heart of our design process rather than as an adjunct.

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The Issue

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THE SIXTH MASS EXTINCTION THE EXTINCTION EVENT OF OUR CURRENT EPOCH

THE ISSUE

Over the vast expanse of 450 million years that has preceded us, our planet has undergone catastrophes so extreme as to purge all living beings from the earth. Scientists count just five mass extinctions in this timespan however recent information may suggest that we will be entering our sixth, stemming from the impact of a single species: Homo Sapiens.

The Holocene extinction, otherwise referred to as the sixth mass extinction, is an extinction event of species during the present Holocene epoch (Which, since the industrial revolution is known as the Anthropocene) as a result of human activity (Dirzo, et al., 2014). Abundant bacteria, fungi, plants and animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates have experienced significant extinction rates.

It is thought that the majority of these extinctions are undocumented due to the undiscovered species that would have lived in the now destroyed biodiverse habitats such as rainforests and coral reefs. The current rate of extinction of species is estimated at 100 to 1,000 times higher than natural background extinction rates. (Pimm, et al., 2014) Overall, the impact the humans are having on the environment can be directly liked to the mass extinctions of species on every land mass and in every ocean. The 21st Century sees the Holocene extinction continue with the main contributor being meat consumption and land cleared for agriculture (Smithers, 2017), along with deforestation, overfishing, and the decline in amphibian populations (Wake and Vredenburg, 2018) adding to biodiversity loss. Humans are the primary driver of the Holocene Extinction.

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THE ANTHROPOCENE THE INCREASING HUMAN PRESSURE ON THE EARTH

7

Population

6

Energy Use

600 500

Industrial Revolution

400

5

300

4 3

200

2 100

1 0

World Primary Energy Use (Exajoule)

World Population (billions)

Anthropocene

Holocene

8

THE ISSUE

“The term “Anthropocene” is an unofficial unit of geologic time used to describe the most recent period in Earth’s history when human activity started to have a significant impact on the planet’s climate and ecosystems.” (National Geographic Society, 2017) The International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP) is a research programme that ran from 1987 to 2015 dedicated to studying the phenomenon of global change. In 2015 the IGBP published the ‘Great Acceleration’ graphs which was a project aiming to understand the increasing human pressure on the Earth System and proposed that the Earth had left the Holocene and entered a new geological epoch, the Anthropocene.

The start date of the Anthropocene is thought to be placed near the end of the 18th century, about the time that the industrial revolution began. The last 60 years have without doubt seen the most profound transformation of the human relationship with the natural world in the history of humankind. Due to the abundance of species extinctions caused by human activity or considered ‘anthropogenic’ this era is sometimes called the “Anthropocene extinction”.

0 1750

1800

1850

1900

1950

2000

Year The trajectory of the Anthropocene the great acceleration. (Laceby et al., 2019)

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THE ANTHROPOGENIC BIOSPHERE THE ISSUE

THE HUMAN SPECIES HAS EVOLVED TO DOMINATE THE BIOSPHERE

The anthropocene has given a great life to certain creatures, in particular domesticated life such as cattle and kittens. The anthropogenic biosphere is ‘a world of opportunity for life adapted to the niches we have constructed—our crops, livestock, pets, ornamentals, weeds, pests, parasites, hitch-hikers, and hangers-on.’ (Ellis, 2019). Species in anthropogenic ecosystems are flourishing and adapting to the human world.

Ellis explains that this is not unnatural and the human epoch is producing new ecosystems.

However, the problem is that wild species are ‘being lost at an alarming rate’ (Ellis, 2019) as a result of the anthropocene.

There is a need to develop the anthropogenic biosphere through a different path with conservation opportunities enabling the mixing of novel communities and ecosystems if we want the overall health of the planet to survive.

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10,000 Years ago

99% Wild Animals

Today

32% Humans

1% Wild Animals

67% Livestock

Above: Percentage of vertebrate land animals

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THE ISSUE

1% Humans

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Biodiversity noun /ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsəti/ THE ISSUE

The existence of a large number of different kinds of animals and plants which make a balanced environment (Oxford Learners Dictionary, 2021)

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THE ISSUE AND GREATER MANCHESTER ECOLOGICAL CHANGES IN GREATER MANCHESTER RESULTING FROM BIODIVERSITY LOSS

Manchester is simultaneously being impacted by climate change whilst continuing to contribute to global warming. There was 9.1 (million tonnes CO2) produced by Manchester in 2017 (Manchester Climate Change Framework 2020-25) out of the 366.9 (Mt CO2) that the UK produced that year (UK greenhouse gas emissions, provisional figures, 2017).

Tran sp o r

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No

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THE ISSUE

Do m

Direct Indirect

ge

A ll fl ig ht s

f ro

a mM

nc

he

s

ch

Loss of Biodiversity From extreme weather and agriculture & deforestation along with spread of invasive species.

han

ontribution to clim

ate

c te

’s c ste he

g e im p a cts o n M

Extreme Weather Floods, storms, cold, fog, heatwaves, droughts, snowstorms, high winds & polluted air

te r

c an

a nc h es

CO2 Emissions ‘CO2 produced by human activities is the largest contributor to global warming’ (European Commission website)

n ts

a im

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Agriculture Destruction of habitats creates carbon sinks and then use of the land for agriculture and food production produces more CO2.

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Aviation

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The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has declared a climate emergency (GMCA, 2019) THE ISSUE

Greater Manchester is at a dangerous point where its current climate policies not only fall short of improving the current situation but could see the projected future in an even worse position

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THE ISSUE

“We need a moonshot. We need to do one big thing that people could get together on that would solve the problem.”

(E.O.Wilson, 2019)

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The Method

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A NEW UNDERSTANDING OF THE ARCHITECT’S ROLE BUILDING ON ARCHIGRAM’S METHODOLOGY

THE METHOD

“Half-Manchester” is a work of design fiction meant as a form of propaganda to promote conversation about a proposed eco-topia in Greater Manchester. We face a slippery slope as our city depletes its biodiversity as greenbelt sites are sold to developers to meet housing demand. In an era where financial success and urban development is the key metric of success, how do we know when to stop? In this project, the audience is invited to explore a fictional future that draws inspiration from contemporary events at a local level, in order to stimulate discussion.

As part of a fictional narrative, a timeline of events was developed in which half of Greater Manchester is given over to rewilding and natural habitats, thereby improving biodiversity by 85%. As we exaggerate this ecotopian solution and speculate on potential future implications, we reveal problems in the present day and ask what people are willing to sacrifice. The project builds on the methodology of Archigram, who aimed to explore extreme alternatives to urban design.

Their experimental approach to envisioning enormous change is one that remains extraordinarily relevant today.

Although this project may seem less conventional than others, it is essentially about envisioning future urban relationships - which is what traditional projects are about. To put it simply, architecture is speculative on its most fundamental level. Future-focused, architects design structures and lifestyles that have not yet been imagined. This speculation is captured in computer models and architectural drawings, just as this project’s final drawings depict a future that has not yet come to be.

Architecture students hold a unique position to question the future - to question and initiate change. We have the capacity to visualise for others the policy documents and the consequences of urban decisions that we understand. This project considers storytelling as a method for design. It begins to consider whether architects should be transformed into intellectual artists who question the future rather than specialists who react to the present and the whims of the capital. By utilising common architecture skills, the project re-affirms the importance of architects in shaping the future. Architects have a lot to offer in the modern world, but can they do so much more?

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THE METHOD

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WICKED PROBLEMS THE METHOD

THE RESULT OF OPPOSING INFLUENCES THAT MAKE SOLVING THE PROBLEM DIFFICULT OR EVEN IMPOSSIBLE

Often, wicked problems arise from social or cultural factors that are difficult to explain and inherently impossible to solve. Today’s society faces wicked problems such as healthcare, education, poverty and sustainability. There are 3 strategies in which to tackle wicked problems; Authoritative, Competitive and Collaborative. By asking stakeholders what they think about the drastic approach, Half Manchester aims to begin a collaborative process to find the most suitable solution for all stakeholders.

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THE METHOD

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WHAT IS SPECULATIVE DESIGN THE METHOD

AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRADITIONAL AND SPECULATIVE DESIGN

Traditional design is believed by most to be a form of problem solving, however, huge challenges such at the climate crisis cant be broken down, quantified and solved so easily. Traditional design optimistically aims to fix issues and in some cases these issues are unfixable without a change in our values, beliefs and behaviour. This is where speculative design can be a more useful tool.

Speculative design is a form of design that aims to open up new perspectives. It encourages imaginative discussions and debate on ideas of alternative ways of being.

By using speculative design to imagine possible futures they create ‘what-if ‘questions, intended as tool to better understand the present and what futures people actually want. Because of this, the nature of speculative design is provocative, intentionally simplified and fictional. Which is why many speculative design takes much of its ideas from “cinema, literature, science, ethics, politics, and art to explore fictional worlds, cautionary tales, what-if scenarios, thought experiments, counterfactuals, reductio ad absurdum experiments, pre-figurative futures, and so on.” (Dunne and Raby, 2013)

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Design as provocation and storytelling

* Future methodologies

Speculative design

g inkin e th ursiv disc

-asking questions -critical thinking -conceptualizing -synthesizing -evaluating -problem finding -design for debate -in the service of society -narratives -implications -provocation -rhetoric

THE METHOD

fictional worlds // cautionary tales // what-if // scenarios // thought experiments // counterfactuals // reductio ad absurdum // experiments // prefigurative futures

critic al th inkin g

Impacts of emering sci-fi and technology

Traditional Design All design is a future orientated activity.

The traditional design process simply works towards materialisation of a future product or object.

-problem solving -affirmatory -aim to fix issues -design as solution -production and industry -literal -quantifyable

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CONE OF POSSIBILITIES DESIGNING FOR POTENTIAL FUTURES

THE METHOD

To consider designing for future scenarios first we must understand the different kinds of potential futures through levels of likelihood. In 2009 Stuart Candy used this cone diagram to illustrate different kinds of possible futures, this was then adapted by Dunne and Raby in their book Speculative Everything Design, Fiction, And Social Dreaming (2013) and we have taken this further.

Most designers operate in the “probable” space of likelihood, which describes what is most likely to happen. The next potential future space is the plausible where scenario planning and foresight is usually played out. A plausible future is the space of what could happen if alternative near future global situations change. The next space is the possible, where it is difficult to imaging how we would get to a world with such political, social and economic and cultural changes but it is still not impossible. Finally there is fantasy which with today’s science is not possible to achieve. The ‘preferable route’ intersects the plausible and probably and is currently determined by government and industry which does not always benefit everyone.

Scenario planning fits into either the plausible and possible and facilitates critical reflection on the possible and preferable. Scenario planning must be scientifically possible and show a path from where we are today to the scenario.

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N sc ot p ie os nt s i fic i b l kn e w ow ith le to dg da e ys

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UTOPIA

Y

AS NT FA

LE

tive l futures erna g alt politica in r d lo Exp mic an o econ

B SSI PO

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PREFERA

REALITY

PRESENT

PROBABLE

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FUTUTRE

DISTOPIA

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THE METHOD

ed by Determin dustry ent and in governm

LEVEL OF LIKELIHOOD

LE

AB PLAUS

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CREATING A NARRATIVE

THE METHOD

EXPLORING CURRENT EVENTS IN GREATER MANCHESTER THAT CALL FOR A NEW DIRECTION

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Greater Manchester climate + biodiversity crisis

‘plausible’

Taking precedence from Manchester ‘Ecocities’ and similar projects using contemporary research methods research

Scientific and thoroughly researched theories and designs in which to build a better climate and biodiverse world

timeline

An ameliorated future imagined through speculative design

The need to address the growing issue of Greater Manchester’s climate crisis along with agreeing to reach climate targets such as the 2016 Paris climate agreement

THE METHOD

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Half - Earth Theory

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HALF-EARTH HALF - EARTH THEORY

PROPOSING AN ACHIEVABLE PLAN TO SAVE OUR IMPERILLED BIOSPHERE: DEVOTE HALF THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH TO NATURE

Edward O. Wilson is a influential biologist and writer. In his book Half Earth: Our Planets Fight For Life (2016) he proposes that half of the earth’s surface should be designated a human free nature reserve to preserve biodiversity.

The Half-Earth Project creates a compelling campaign for re-invigorated action on our approach the extinction crisis. It proposes to protect half the land and sea though comprehensively mapping biodiversity, conservation areas and human activity.

Biodiversity - Layering biodiversity data over protected area maps to highlight where conservation efforts are falling short and identify what places we can best manage in order to protect the most species.

Conservation areas - Global network of conservation areas plays a key role in safeguarding species Human Activity - Conservation protections must honour the interest of local communities and work with them.

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LOW

HALF - EARTH THEORY

H UM AN P R ESS UR ES HI GH

P ROT EC T ED AR EA

B I O D I VER S I T Y R I C H NESS LOW

HI GH

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Half - Earth HALF - EARTH THEORY

‘Half-Earth is a call to protect half the land and sea in order to manage sufficient habitat to reverse the species extinction crisis and ensure the long-term health of our planet’ (Half - Earth Project, 2021)

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50% LAND PROTECTED

50% SURVIVING SPECIES

85% SURVIVING SPECIES

90% of habitat is removed, the number of species will decline to about a half. Similar to the current conditions of most species rich areas around the world.

Following the island biography theory in order to save up to 85% of species it would mean 50% of land needs to be protected.

HALF - EARTH THEORY

10% LAND PROTECTED

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HABITAT FRAGMENTATION THROUGH LINEAR TRANSPORT NETWORKS AND HUMAN POPULATION DENSITY

HALF - EARTH THEORY

Loss of natural habitats due to landscape urbanization and fragmentation stands among one of the main reasons for widespread erosion of biodiversity. Landscape fragmentation splits natural habitats into multiple isolated patches.

In the short term, fragmentation has negative consequences for habitat selection, and species diversity. In the long term, fragmentation limits or disrupts migration and dispersal of juveniles and adults, which can substantially impair genetic variation and evolution from interacting species.

Both urbanization and the development of linear transportation infrastructures (LTIs) are causes of fragmentation. LTIs lead to a net disruption of the natural habitats that they cross, splitting them into several distinct patches.

Maintaining a network of ecological corridors could mitigate the effects of global warming through enhanced dispersal of species to newly suitable areas. In the context of biodiversity loss due to habitat fragmentation, the potential of anthropogenic areas being reorganised for conserving nature deserves to be considered.

Contiguous

Fragmented

Interior habitat

Edge habitat

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HALF - EARTH THEORY

Manchester’s current habitat fragmentation due to transport and urbanisation

Manchester’s with ‘Half Earth’ theory implemented to create high population areas that have low levels of human encroachment on habitats

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STEPS TO ESTABLISH HALF-EARTH

HALF - EARTH THEORY

HOW PRIORITY AREAS FOR CONSERVATION WOULD BE ESTABLISHED

Step 1: Identify area and suitable size grid.

Step 2: Map areas with high biodiversity and rich population and density.

Step 4: Calculate the the number of cells proposed for human habitation and habitat conservation.

Step 5: To ensure half is left for habitat conserva strategically for human resource for activities su These areas are chosen carefully as to retain rich

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hest habitats. Map areas with high human

Step 3: Identify land encroached by humans, and how heavily. Combine the data and create a conservation prioritization map. The cells outlined here in red are the high population areas that have low levels of human encroachment on habitats that meet the conservation needs.

ation, the remaining cells are placed uch as energy generation and food supply. h biodiverse and greenbelt areas.

Step 6: Lastly, nature recovery networks are woven through the separate habitats in order to encourage rich biodiversity an all areas.

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Greater Manchester

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CURRENT MASTERPLAN OF GREATER MANCHESTER ANALYSING THE CURRENT LANDSCAPE AND WIDESPREAD HABITAT FRAGMENTATION IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT HALF EARTH

GREATER MANCHESTER

To apply the Half-Earth theory to Greater Manchester we must inspect the areas that can hold a growing human population; minimising the encroachment on animal habitats.

Currently, the spread of Manchester’s urbanisation has left very little for other habitats and the linear transport routes which web across the boroughs fragmenting the remaining viable habitat areas.

By highlighting the areas which are optimum for human inhabitation and preserving the areas which are already the most biodiverse we can split Greater Manchester in half to serve both humans and animals. To reduce the carbon impact the project will use existing infrastructre where possible but streamlining transport routes in order to mitigate habitat fragmentation.

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GREATER MANCHESTER’S CONTRASTING HUMAN AND ANIMAL POPULATION THE INCREASING POPULATION DENSITY AND SUBSEQUENT DEPRIVATION OF BIODIVERSITY

GREATER MANCHESTER

This study takes data from the The Environment Partnership Ltd (TEP) 2019 where they identified the most biodiverse areas in Greater Manchester.

Overlaying this on the most populous areas shows the result of urbanisation depleting varied habitats and biodiversity.

By mapping these contrasting areas, we can determine the conservation prioritization zones and the land best suited to humans by minimising encroachment on biodiverse areas.

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THE BROAD HABITAT TYPE COVERING GREATER MANCHESTER THE RING OF AGRICULTURAL LAND FRAGMENTING GREEN SPACE AND GRASSLAND

GREATER MANCHESTER

The data for this map was taken from the GMCA Ecosystem Services – Opportunity Mapping. 2019. This data identifies, for each land parcel in the study area, the opportunities that changes in land use or management could bring in terms of improved ecosystem services (ESS).

The map shows the large areas of farming and agriculture that fragment the wild natural spaces. The conversion of natural ecosystems for pasture and crop farms is the single biggest driver of habitat loss by converting natural habitats to intensely managed systems and by releasing pollutants, and pesticides.

Proposing to group agricultural land and moving to more vertical farming would reduce the encroachment on richer biodiverse areas.

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THE CURRENT BIOLOGICALLY IMPORTANT PROTECTED LAND ONLY VERY LIMITED AREAS ARE PROTECTED HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

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Biological importance areas - non-statutory areas of substantive nature conservation importance within the county of Greater Manchester. (Greater Manchester Authority, 2020).

The areas of biological importance are important for nature conservation and maintenance of the biodiversity in an area, so that appropriate decisions on land management and planning applications can be made.

This map identifies areas of biological importance in Manchester across the ten Local Authorities highlighting how they are currently fragmented across Greater Manchester. This also illustrates the minimal amount of biodiversity in sites of high human population. This demonstrates the effect of urbanisation on bioodiversity and the need for greater protection and connection between sites of high biodiversity across Greater Manchester.

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MAPPING THE AREAS AT HIGH RISK OF FLOODING FLOOD IMPACT ON HUMAN AND ANIMAL HABITATS The assessment of flood risk in Greater Manchester shows the chances of flooding from rives in relation to areas to urban areas and green space (public and private gardens, parks, sports grounds and allotments). This is important to take into consideration when planning speculative proposals for Greater Manchester.

Current proposals by property developers [as we have seen on Stubley Meadows in Littleborough are examples of building on greenbelt floodplains.

However, as already examined the effects of climate change are already impacting Manchester’s weather and building on flood plains will not make a more resilient Manchester. In fact, the best way to make Manchester more climate resilient is by the conservation NOT development of flood-prone greenbelt.

GREATER MANCHESTER

The floodplains have very nutrient rich soil that can create meadows which livestock grazing can support and creation of biodiverse ecosystems. Areas of arable soil for vegetation are on the next page.

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MAPPING THE BEST QUALITY AGRICULTURAL LAND AND CONTOURS FINDING THE OPTIMUM SITES FOR FARMING AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

GREATER MANCHESTER

Natural England assess the best quality of agricultural land based on climate, site, and soil. This map identifies the areas of best agricultural land for food production. This will help to plan which areas of Manchester have the best potential for agricultural productivity to create a self sustaining Manchester as part of Half-Mancheter.

The contours of the maps show how the North East side of the map is much higher and is the optimum place for wind farms [which is where they are currently located and will remain]. The other renewable energy centres can be used or relocated in our Half -Manchester proposal.

The soil mapping and renewable energy locations helps to determine the designation of land as either productive agricultural land or land designated for renewable energy production with solar farms.

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Half-Manchester

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HALF- MANCHESTER ROAD MAP TO ADDRESS THE STEPS NEEDED TO BE TAKEN TO CREATE A BIODIVERSE FUTURE This speculative road map to encourages real world discussion about our future to enable humans and non-humans to live more sustainably in major cities. It addresses long-term issues [wicked problems such as population growth and biodiversity loss] with our innovative amelioration ‘Half-Mancehster’.

HALF - MANCHESTER

Central and local government approve the Half-Mancehster plan.

All green spaces left to nature with community led rewilding and seed sowing

Government incentives to move residents into finished vertical blocks

Local zero emission zones to deter car use

2075

50% proposed roads closed

50% of resident into Manchester habitation zones

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All roads in wild zones closed and left to rewilding

Inve re

Streamlin transport lin enable easy a

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ned nks to access

Floodplain farming

2050 Net Carbon zero

Investment in vertical city infrastructures

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estment in renewable esources current and new.

Investment into smart grid

Pedestrian and cycling infrastructure to create a human scale city

2100

Energy supplied through renewable energy

Half- Manchester’s vertical infrastructure and rewilding efforts attract world attention

Electric public transport

2125

50% of land in Greater Manchester protected to increase biodiversity up to 85% Population located in human habitation zones with renewable energy and sustainable food production

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HALF-MANCHESTER

HALF-MANCHESTER HALF OF THE METROPOLITAN COUNTY GIVEN OVER TO ‘OTHER BEINGS’

HALF - MANCHESTER

Applying E.O. Wilson’s Half-Earth principles of mapping biodiverse and conservation areas to Greater Manchester. whilst keeping as much of the original infrastructure as possible, half of the county will be relocated in order to save half of the land for habitat conservation. by doing this 85% of greater manchester species will be saved and Greater manchester’s climate and hoverall health will benefit.

Greater Manchester currently

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A BREAKDOWN OF HALF-EARTH IMPLEMENTED IN GREATER MANCHESTER POPULOUS ZONES - THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE, NEW VERTICAL CITIES AND DECARBONISING

HALF - MANCHESTER

This map illustrates the human populous zones with nature recovery networks running through them. These networks carry biodiversity through the city from the rewilded areas to meet the biophilic needs of humans while also mitigating habitat fragmentation across the rewilded areas. The existing railways lines are used to travel between the areas of high population, while existing roads are used within the human populace zones for local electric vehicle, bike and pedestrian use.

By concentrating the density of Manchester to human populous zones there are direct carbon benefits this is a result of less transport emissions, and less distance for food and other essentials to travel.

The benefits of denser citys are discussed in Net Zero: Decarbonising the city (2021). These include the advantages of flats over house construction [as planned in our vertical cities] along with less transport emissions ‘Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) data shows new apartments emit 67 per cent less than new houses – flats built (or converted) in 2019 emitted 0.9 tonnes of carbon annually’ (Quinio and Rodrigues,2021)

Quinio and Rodrigues’ graph Higher density leads to higher active travel usage, resulting in lower transport emissions, (2021). Displays how low-density cities ‘transport emissions per head are far higher than in cities such as Oxford, London and Brighton. In the latter group, more than half of the population commutes by walking, cycling or public transport.’ (Quinio and Rodrigues, 2021)

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A BREAKDOWN OF HALF-EARTH IMPLEMENTED IN GREATER MANCHESTER HUMAN RESOURCE ZONES - OPTIMUM AREAS FOR AGRICULTURE AND ENERGY FARMS This map identifies divisions of the human resource zones. This is determined by the placement soil quality, floodplains, location of existing renewable resource farms and transport links such as existing railways.

In order to take steps towards a self sufficient economy Manchester needs to produces its own goods. Human resource areas are for agriculture/ livestock grazing and renewable energy farms. Existing renewable infrastructure such wind farms are to be kept where they are for optimal conditions while other energy farms are relocated to human resource areas so rewilded areas are less disturbed. Vertical farms and floodplain grazing will provide food from locations determined by soil quality and floodplains.

HALF - MANCHESTER

Renewable energy vertical farms and floodplain grazing livestock all benefit biodiversity. The vertical farms - mean food production has a smaller footprint to enable land to be rewilded. Floodplain grazing - creates biodiverse meadows. Renewable energy - less CO2 contributing to climate change.

Rewilded area Human resource area Renewable energy

Vertical Farming

Human population zone

Floodplain wildlife

Livestock

Half- Manchester’s land use model

Using the concepts from Von Thunen 1826 model of agricultural land use model for Half -Manchester can be seen below. The proximity of the human resource to human population zones means shorter supply chains which has benefits cheaper transportation and fairer prices for farmers. Canals and railways can be used to transport goods into the city.

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A BREAKDOWN OF HALF-EARTH IMPLEMENTED IN GREATER MANCHESTER TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE AND NATURE RECOVERY NETWORKS - STREAMLINING THE EXISTING TRANSPORT AND MODIFYING TO CREATE HABITAT CORRIDORS The journeys taken by human and non-human beings across the different zones of Half-Manchester.

HALF - MANCHESTER

A

B

Alternative human transport routes

C

D

Alternative non-human transport routes

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A

HALF - MANCHESTER

C

B

D

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HALF-MANCHESTER

A BREAKDOWN OF HALF-EARTH IMPLEMENTED IN GREATER MANCHESTER CONSERVATION PRIORITIZATION AND HABITAT RECOVERY ZONES - AREAS RESERVED FOR ‘OTHER’ BEINGS ONLY MITIGATING HABITAT FRAGMENTATION

HALF - MANCHESTER

Fragmented

Contiguous

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HALF-MANCHESTER

HALF MANCHESTER: AS A SELF SUFFICIENT ECOTOPIA

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THE USE OF PROPAGANDA TO SELL A DREAM

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HALF-MANCHESTER

HUMAN POPULOUS ZONES

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WILDED AREAS

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HUMAN RESOURCE ZONES

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STREAMLINED TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

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HALF - MANCHESTER

As biodiversity continues to decline, the 6th mass extinction is an issue worldwide. A speculative future based on E.O. Wilson’s Half-Earth principles has been created titled ‘HalfManchester’ based on biodiverse and conservation areas in Greater Manchester.

The Half-Manchester project protects biodiversity by passively rewilding 50% of Greater Manchester’s land and addressing the wicked problems of population growth and climate change with scientific theories and contemporary design.

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The use of speculative design to produce this ‘plausible’ future for Greater Manchester evokes discussions about current steps being taken to protect biodiversity in Manchester today. The project raises awareness of decreasing biodiversity and the needs of non-human stakeholders.

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References

HALF-MANCHESTER

Dirzo, R., Young, H., Galetti, M., Ceballos, G., Isaac, N. and Collen, B. (2014) ‘Defaunation in the Anthropocene.’ Science. 345(6195) pp.401-406. [Online] 25 July 2014 [Accessed 10 October 2021] doi:10.1126/science.1251817 Dunne, A. and Raby, F. (2013) Speculative everything. MIT Press: Cambridge, Massachusetts iPadInsider (2010) Apple iPad: Steve Jobs Keynote Jan 27 2010 Part 1.

[Video] [Accessed on 16 November 2021] https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=OBhYxj2SvRI

REFERENCES AND APPENDIX

Ellis, E. C. (2019). Nature as Designer: Emancipating Nonhuman Ecologies in an Increasingly Human World. In Steiner et al (eds) Design with Nature Now. Cambridge, Mass.: The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. pp. 60-71 Greater Manchester Combined Authority. (2019) 5-YEAR ENVIRONMENT PLAN FOR GREATER MANCHESTER 2019-2024. Manchester: GMCA [Online] [Accessed on 14 November 2021] https://www.greatermanchester-ca.gov. uk/what-we-do/environment/five-year-environment-plan/ Half-Earth Project. (2021) Half-Earth Project - E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation. Half-Earth Project. [Online] [Accessed on 15 November 2021] https://www.half-earthproject.org/.

Manchester Climate Change Agency. (2020) Manchester Climate Change Framework 2020-2025. Version 1.0. Manchester: Manchester Climate Change Agency. [Online] February [Accessed on 14 October 2021] https://www. manchesterclimate.com/framework-2020-25 National Geographic Society. (2019). Anthropocene. National Geographic Society. [Online] [Accessed on 15 November 2021] https://www. nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/anthropocene/ Pimm, S. et al,. (2014) ‘The biodiversity of species and their rates of extinction, distribution, and protection.’ Science, Vol 344. Issue 6187. [Online] 30 May 2014 [Accessed 13 October 2021] https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1246752 Quinio, V. Rodriguese, G. (2021) Net Zero: Decarbonising the city. Centres for Cities. [Online] 6 July 2021[Accessed 10 November 2021] https://www. centreforcities.org/reader/net-zero-decarbonising-the-city/executivesummary/ Smithers, R. (2017) ‘Vast animal-feed crops to satisfy our meat needs are destroying our planet.’ The Guardian [Online] 5 October 2017 [Accessed 11th October 2021] https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/oct/05/ vast-animal-feed-crops-meat-needs-destroying-planet Wake, D. and Vredenburg, V. (2008) ‘Are we in the midst of the sixth mass extinction? A view from the world of amphibians.’ The National Academy of Sciences of the USA. 105(1) pp.11466-11473. [Online] 12 August 2008 [Accessed 13 October 2021]. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0801921105 Page 78

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Descriptions of sources found on: Mappinggm. 2021. Mappinggm. [Online] [accessed 20 october 2021]. https://mappinggm.Org.Uk/

greater manchester local record centre. Ghia integrated landscape map (ilm) 2018, the university of manchester.Openmap local 2020, ordnance survey.

Greater manchester ecology unit

CURRENT MASTERPLAN OF GREATER MANCHESTER

THE CURRENT BIOLOGICALLY IMPORTANT PROTECTED LAND

- Filose, eva, “land use map”, pdf map, scale 1:100000, os mastermap, october 2021, the geoinformation group limited, using digimap geology collection, https://digimap.Edina.Ac.Uk/, created 21 october 2021 - Green infrastructure. 2016. This layer shows the various aspects of green infrastructure around greater manchester. This forms one complete layer of various types of green infrastructure based on numerous layers of wildlife, habitats and land types. Greater manchester ecology unit (gmeu). Source: derived from numerous open and closed datasets by gmeu - Os open greenspace. 2021. Os open greenspace depicts the location and extent of spaces such as parks and sports facilities that are likely to be accessible to the public. Where appropriate, it also includes access points to show how people get into these sites. Its primary purpose is to enable members of the public to find and access green spaces near them for exercise and recreation. Ordnance survey. Source: www.Ordnancesurvey.Co.Uk/ business-and-government/products/os-open-greenspace.Html

GREATER MANCHESTER’S CONTRASTING HUMAN AND ANIMAL POPULATION - Plumplot. 2021. Population density [online] [accessed 20 october ]2021].

Https://a.Plumplot.Co.Uk/?Tab=headcount_perc_change_map_m - Gmca ecosystem services – opportunity mapping. 2019. This study identifies, for each land parcel in the study area, the opportunities that changes in land use or management could bring in terms of improved ecosystem services (ess). Opportunity arises on land which, given its physical, social, economic, geographical and cultural characteristics, offers potential to intervene and improve ess functioning and thus uplift natural capital value. Opportunity arises where there is a combination of feasibility and need. The environment partnership ltd (tep)

THE BROAD HABITAT TYPE COVERING GREATER MANCHESTER - Greater manchester local nature recovery strategy (lnrs) existing habitats.

2020. This spatial dataset attempts to plot the approximate distribution of high biodiversity interest parcels across greater manchester. It was created as part of the local nature recovery strategy (lnrs) pilot 2021. Includes: sites of biological importance (sbi) 2020, greater manchester ecology unit.Greater manchester tree audit (gmta) 2011, city of trees. National forest inventory 2019, forestry commission. Ancient woodland inventory 2020, natural england. Priority habitat inventory 2020, natural england. Wood pasture and parkland (england) 2020, natural england. Amphibian breeding ponds 2020, greater manchester local record centre.Integrated wetland network tool 2020, natural england. Distribution of wet woodland indicator species 2020,

- Sites of biological importance (sbi). 2017. Greater manchester ecology unit (gmeu) operates the sbi register for and on behalf of the ten local authorities that comprise greater manchester. The sbi system is designed to establish and highlight to planners, landowners and site managers where areas of high biodiversity interest occur so that appropriate decisions on planning applications, land use and land management can be made. Full sbi citations including descriptions, statistics and grading information can be obtained from gmeu if required. Greater manchester ecology unit (gmeu) - Crow act 2000 - access layer. Shows land mapped as access land under countryside and rights of way (crow) act 2000. Natural england. [Online] source: http://data.Gov.Uk/dataset/crow-act-2000-access-layer2 - Special protection areas. 2021. A special protection area (spa) is the land classified under directive 79/409 on the conservation of wild birds. Natural england. Source: https://naturalengland-defra.Opendata.Arcgis.Com/

MAPPING THE AREAS AT HIGH RISK OF FLOODING - Filose, eva, “floodplain map”, pdf map, scale 1:100000, os mastermap, october 2021, geological map data bgs, using digimap geology collection, https:// digimap.Edina.Ac.Uk/, created 21 october 2021 - Risk of flooding from rivers and sea. 2021. Previously known as nafra spatial flood likelihood category grid. This national assessment of flood risk for england shows the chance of flooding from rivers and/or the sea, based on cells of 50m. Environment agency. Source: https://data.Gov.Uk/dataset/riskof-flooding-from-rivers-and-sea1 Mapping the best quality agricultural land and contours - Agricultural land classification. 2021. Polygons showing 5 classes of agricultural land plus classifications for urban and non-agricultural land. Grade one is best quality and grade five is poorest quality. A number of consistent criteria were used for assessment which include climate (temperature, rainfall, aspect, exposure, frost risk), site (gradient, micro-relief, flood risk) and soil (depth, structure, texture, chemicals, stoniness). Natural england. Source: https://naturalengland-defra.Opendata.Arcgis.Com/ - The renewable energy planning database. 2017. Renewable energy planning database (‘repd’) is managed by eunomia research and consulting ltd (eunomia) on behalf of the department of business, energy & industrial strategy (beis). The database tracks the progress of renewable electricity projects (including those that could also be used for chp) from inception, through planning, construction, operation and decommissioning. The repd is updated on a monthly basis, and contains information on all renewable electricity (and chp) projects up to the end of the previous calendar month.

Department for business, energy and industrial strategy. Source: https://www.

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REFERENCES AND APPENDIX

Maps Appendix

CHAPTER TITLE

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