Pomona Island Ecological Park and Botanical Gardens, Beatrice Freeman

BEATRICE FREEMAN

MASTER OF ARTS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO

MALA 705

MAJOR DESIGN The Major Design module (MALA705) consists of three documents: 1. Research, analysis and concepts (feasibilty study) 2. Design development, site planning (design statement) 3. Design and technical resolution (technical study)

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INTRODUCTION Pomona Island is a well known site amongst Mancunians, but very few know its history and how it became a brownfield site. Most may colloquially know it as “that abandoned bit of land” by Cornbrook, which doesn’t do justice to the fascinating heritage that it boasts. The site has been undeveloped since the working docks were closed in the seventies, and this forgotten land has gradually been reclaimed by nature. There are ghosts of its industrial past left in the patterns of the ground, and blue toned ceramic fossils that tell the story of a devastating explosion over 100 years ago.

This site is layered with history and those that know about it have a real passion for the space, and want to share its story with the world. In 2015 there was a surge in community spirit when planning applications were submitted to develop the land into residential flats. This created quite an uproar by local enthusiasts. Community groups and friendships were formed in the process and they set out together to defend Pomona. Events were held, petitions started and the publication of a book

The name Pomona, originates from the Roman Goddess of fruitful abundance

in the hopes of saving this ecological jewel in the city. These great efforts were not in vain, planning applications were rejected that year, however, in 2017 plans were given the go ahead for apartments which are currently under construction.

This report will delve into the history of Pomona, its social context and spacial qualities to uncover the potential for the island. Including the analysis of existing plans, documents and landscape theories, this document will conclude with a vision for the future of Pomona. This will be a brighter future that benefits the many and not the few, this includes the existing residents, of birds, bats and bees.

CHANGE.COM 1672 SIGNATURES “Please halt the plans to build on Pomona until viable socially and environmentally sustainable alternatives can be put forward”

LOCATION Pomona Island is located in the heart of Greater Manchester, and straddles 3 local authorities: Salford, Trafford and Manchester. This makes it a very valuable site to developers, but simultaneously brings with it bureaucracy and red tape, hindering the speed at which planning applications can be processed. In many ways, this has been the saving grace for the wildlife of Pomona, leaving it to thrive undisturbed for over 30 years.

Pomona Island is enclosed by the River Irwell and the Bridgewater Canal, which in its industrial heyday made it a prime spot for docks. There were 4 docks on the Island, some of which have been in-filled, and Pomona Lock built. The River Irwell begins in Deerplay Moor roughly 30km north of the site, and runs though Manchester City Centre, turning into that Manchester Ship Canal which empties into the River Mersey towards Liverpool. The waterways are now mostly used by small leisure boats and rowing teams, thanks to the fact that the majority of swing bridges are no longer functioning.

Pomona Island is located within a kilometre of Manchester City Centre and Media City, meaning pedestrian access is perfectly feasible from both within a 20 minute walk.

NORTH WEST

Sketch view looking north west from Pomona Metrolink Bridge, in the foreground is the Soapworks on the north east bank of the river with its distinctive red brick chimney and the Manchester Waters development under constructions on the south west side.

STRANGEWAYS

SALFORD MANCHESTER CITY CENTRE

MEDIA CITY HULME OLD TRAFFORD POMONA ISLAND

POMONA ISLAND

The Cornbrook Hub is becoming a key destination within Greater Manchester. Previoously, it was predominantly used as an interchange between different Metrolink lines, but with the emergence of new flats, it is becoming a destination that people spend more time in. It will be a highly sought after area to live in due to its quick connections, both in and out of the city. The above map illustrates the road connections to key destinations on the outskirts of the city centre.

Sounds Of The City, Castelfield Bowl, Manchester city centre

Trafford Centre, Trafford Park

Media City UK

PO M O NA

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MANCHESTER CHARACTER AREAS Legend:

NOMA and Medieval Quarter - Offices and restaurants

First Street - Cultural and office district

Central Retail District - Arndale Centre and Market Street

New Islington and Ancoats

Spinningfields - Offices, glamorous bars and high-end shopping

Ardwick

Chinatown - Eastern business and restaurants

Hulme

Northern Quarter - Vintage stores, record shops, bars and cafés

Old Trafford

Piccadilly - Train Station and mixed use development

Trafford Park

Civic Quarter Manchester - Town Hall, Albert Square, St Peter’s Square, Central Library

Ordsall

The Gay Village - Canal Street

Salford

Petersfield - Manchester Convention Complex, the Bridgewater Hall and Great Northern Castlefield and Deansgate - Residential district along canal with popular pubs and bars St John’s - New neighbourhood and community Corridor Manchester - Universities along Oxford Road Cornbrook and Deansgate Hub - New developments of high-rise flats Media City UK - Hub for technology, home to the BBC and ITV Exchange Quay - Residential and office district Salford Quays - Architectural hub with the Lowry and Salford University Salford Bank of the River Irwell - Offices and warehouses

Manchester Waters

Key pedestrian routes through and around Pomona Island

Key Open Green Space & Blue Infrastructure

Key pedestrian routes

Green Infrastructure

Nodes

Blue Infrastructure

Land Uses

Constraints and Sunny Aspect

Residential

Warehouse & Industry

Constraint

Office & Commercial

Commercial & Eateries

Sun Path

HISTORY 1875

1869 1761

The Bridgewater canal is completed, connecting from Worsley through Eccles into Manchester .

Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli visits Manchester and addresses a crowd of over 10,000. Pomona attracts crowds of people with its shooting gallery, bowling green, hedge maze, orchard, horse racing and flying swings.

1845

The site is opened by William and Joseph Beardsley as Strawberry Gardens. There are 100,000 visitors in the first year making it a great success.

The name of the site is changed to Pomona Gardens after the Roman Goddess of fruitful abundance.

The Pomona Palace is completed, with seating capable of hosting 30,000 people, and became the biggest concert hall in the country. Reilly reinstates the River Irwell Regatta as a summer fête to show off Pomona Gardens.

1887 1868

James Reilly purchased the gardens for £75,000. It was he who developed Pomona into the magical botanical gardens that became famous. He envisioned, and built, the Pomona Palace, a huge concert hall with a 100ft tall clock tower.

In May, Pomona Gardens hold the Royal Jubilee Exhibition, opened by the Prince and Princess of Wales.

The exhibition sought to portray the progress made within the industry during the Victorian era. This revealed Manchester’s pride in its economic, commercial and industrial success. The event attracted over 4 million people.

How Pomona went from being the centre of Manchester’s entertainment scene, to a forgotten island wasteland

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1999

In June, Roberts and Dale Chemical Works explodes, with a devastating impact to the surrounding area, including Pomona Palace which shatters and is irreparable.

Mr Reilly resells the land for the price that he paid, £75,000.

1974

1889

On the old docks, the first boat nightclub is opened

by George Evans, called “North Westward Ho”. It remains relatively popular for several years, and a decommissioned RAF aircraft is opened next door with a restaurant.

The site is developed into working docks to support the industry along the River Irwell.

Pomona Metrolink Stop is opened as phase two of the networks expansion with the Eccles Line.

1981

The night club is scrapped and from this point onward Pomona Island is left undeveloped.

2015

Plans by developers Rowlinson to build two blocks of flats attracted more than 100 letters of objection and an online petition that achieved over 1600 signatures.

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Pomona Island A warm sunny day, surrounded by greenery, wildflowers, A faint sound of city life.

The illusion of being in the countryside.

Sightings of gulls, swifts, herons and cormorants A nature reserve?

Like an earthly delight painting at night With Sinister clues to the goings on in the moonlight.

Bobby trapped railings, remnants of murky dealings Money giants in the distance with plans to build castles A protest of making, pen, paper and walking, For no man’s land to remain a no man’s land.

ORDSALL HALL

Origins of the name ‘Ordsall’ The name Ordsall has Old English origins being the personal name ‘Ord’ and the word ‘halh’, meaning a corner or nook, which has become the modern dialect word ‘haugh’.

This, describes the position of the manor, as its boundary on the south side is a large bend in the River Irwell, which later became the site of the docks for the Manchester Ship Canal. The first records of a house on the site was on a tax form in 1177, and evidence shows that by the 1300’s, Sir John Radclyffe had expanded the hall into a large building with bedrooms, a reception hall and new chapel. Various families occupied the hall over hundreds of years, each making several improvements of their own. Between 1872 and 1875, the artist Frederick Shields lived in the hall, who was known for his Pre-Raphaelite style and was a good friend of John Ruskin.

The last quarter of the 19th century saw the Hall, once surrounded by fields and woods, engulfed in industrial housing and factories. Its future was uncertain until 1875 when it was let to Haworth’s Mill (a cotton spinning factory on Ordsall Lane) for use as a Working Men’s Club. The Great Hall was cleared of the inserted floor and later partitions and became a gymnasium, while provision was made elsewhere for billiards, a skittle alley and bowling green. The Hall was purchased by Salford Corporation from the Executors of the Baron Egerton of Tatton in 1959 and, following major restoration work, was opened to the public in 1972 as a period house and local history museum. The Hall underwent a £6.5 million restoration from 2009 to 2011. This has saved the Hall for future generations.

Above: Well worn paths reveal the paving beneath the vegetation along the old docks. The plant life creeps into the paving joints and forms unusual patterns, contrasting the rigidity of the hard-standing with the chaos of the emergent plant life. The majority of the well worn paths follow the perimeter of the docks and avoid the dense vegetation that has grown in the centre. Judging from the desire lines, Pomona Island visitors will walk the long way around to see the views along the river and canal.

Right: Two Photoshop collages created to convey the possibilities for Pomona Island, with both wild and urban character areas.

Features to Keep: • Public Transport Connections (Metrolink Cornbrook and Pomona) • Pomona Lock - Connection between the River Irwell and the Bridgewater Canal • Historic Tram Tunnels • Emergent woodland • Original street lighting and riverside balustrade • Self seeded plant communities • Railway bridges and arches • Visually appealing graffiti and local murals • Sand/sediment build up that makes Pomona Beach • Woden’s Footbridge

Features to Remove: • Polluted rubble • Dangerous railings, old fencing and barbed wire • Railings around Pomona Lock • Scrap metal works • Low quality graffiti and vandalism • Dense woodland that makes the canal and river inaccessible • Low quality buildings and warehouses • Surface car parking • Damaged river wall from flooding and lack of maintenance • Pomona Strand tarmac surfacing

EXISTING HABITAT TYPES Mapped Analysis Scattered Trees Early Successional Vegetation Bare Ground Sparse Vegetation

Open Swards Moss grows around the damp and shaded joints of the paving along the edge of the docks

The dense shrubs and scattered trees are nearly inpenetrable once they come into leaf

Sand Bank Scrub

Acidic Grassland and Tall Herb

Seasonal pools come and go throughout the year and leave patterns in the exposed ground

Vegetation grows right up to the canal edge creating the illusion of a natural edge

Ecotone

Neutral Grass

Bare ground Sparse Vegetation Tall Herb

Moss Communities Acidic Grassland Scrub and Scattered Trees Scattered Trees Woodland Seasonally Wet Area

Shelter (south facing slope) Woodland

Ecotone

Site Photos Labelled 1

1. Scrub 2. Tall ruderals 3. Seasonal pool 4. Emergent aquatic vegetation 5. Marshy grassland 6. Open water 7. Rubble piles

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This area ticks a lot of boxes in terms of creating a biodiverse habitat, however, some of the plastic and pollution would need to be removed in order to create a more valuable and appealing space. The litter such as plastic bags and bottles are extremely dangerous to birds and animals who can die from being trapped or swallowing pieces so these must be removed. The pool of water could be enhanced in several ways: New marginal plants could be introduced to create a more interesting edge to the water. The pool could also be deepened in the centre and some of the rocks moved away. Some may be kept as shelter for animals.

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1. Woodland.

2. Scrub 3. Bramble 4. Seasonal Pool 5. Sparsely vegetated gravels 6. Hard standing and gravel 7. Rough grassland

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This area is a successful ecotone on Pomona Island, meaning that if there is a gradual transition into habitat types. The brambles have prevented people from walking into the scrub leaving it undisturbed by human activity.

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1. Rubble mound 2. Bare ground and rubble 3. Tall ruderals and acidic shrub species 4. Rough grassland 5. Sparsely vegetated gravel mound 6. Scattered Trees

1. Scattered trees 2. Acid scrub species 3. Bramble cover 4. Rough grassland 5. Topographical variation

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This area has not long been bare, having recently been a warehouse that was demolished, leaving behind mounds of rubble and bricks. In the short time that the land has been bare, new grasses and herbs have begun to emerge, this early vegetation is as important as some of the more developed areas of flora on Pomona Island. However it does not need to be maintained on this size and scale.

The rough grassland is another important habitat to retain. Among the grasses are several flowering species such as Aster, which are vital to the pollinators for Pomona Island.

Species such as teasel leave their stems and seed heads after drying out and are often used by mice as food and lookout out towers. The topographical variation enhances the area, with dips creating shaded, damp areas and raised mounds catch the sun and are used as shelter for wildlife.

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1. Moss cover 2. Hard standing 3. Scrub At first glance this area on the docks appears to be entirely filled with young birch saplings, but among this are hidden areas of hard-standing that create openings in the vegetation. Here there is more variation in the shrub and grass species and on the paving little worlds of moss and lichens are growing.

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1. Mowed grassland 2. Open water (canal) 3. Industrial rubble 4. Herb-rich short sward grassland 5. Bare ground 6. Hard standing 7. Moss Cover 8. Brambles 9. Scrub The micro-climates and habitats in this area can be very biodiverse in terms of invertebrates, however it is evident that litter and pollution are a major issue. The big blocks of stone are covered by species of moss and lichen, and should remain undisturbed. The bricks and larger pieces of wood provide shelter for insects, if you lift one up you will see a handful of little creatures wriggling away. The canal also has more wildlife than one might expect, water-born insects, birds and fish all can be found here, as well as submerged plant life.

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STRENGTHS

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Contaminated soil and rubble left from days of industry Fly tipping and litter left from disrespectful users The south east side massively divided from the surrounding area by the tram, railroad and A56.

Scrap metal works is an unattractive feature to see from Cornbrook tram stop and doesn’t relate to the rest of the city Limited entrances onto the site and unclear routes for pedestrians and cars Disconnection with Ordsall and Salford because there is only one pedestrian bridge at the north of the site. The bridge at the south of the site is only accessible by the Metrolink No access to the water’s edge and the canal feels unsafe to walk along at points due to the lack of natural surveillance Pooling of water in areas due to blocked drainage and topography

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Preserve and enhance areas where plants have self seeded and have created rich habitats Provide areas for the birds that have been thriving on the abandoned land Have a large scale green space that is exciting and re-excites the population of Manchester from the usual urban pattern Create a park that enhances the health of residents and visitors. Providing a place for outdoor exercise, physically and mentally Honour the history of Pomona gardens and their value to Victorian residents.

Increase the tree cover of Manchester City Centre to tackle the urban heat island and other climate change challenges Use of timber from the self seeded trees to reduce carbon footprint and use for buildings or street furniture Link to Ordsall Park and Ordsall Hall to create a network of cohesive community spaces Re-engage with the waterways, with enhanced pedestrian and cycle routes and new bridges

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THREATS

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Ecologically rich with 150 species of flora identified, with 30 on the Site of Biological Interest list Valuable habitat used by resident and migrating birds, 109 species have been recorded by local bird watching enthusiasts Located directly between Manchester City Centre, Media City and Salford Quays The site sits on the River Irwell and Bridgewater Canal, so has a strong connection with water travel, industry, blue infrastructure, and ecology Unique and exciting history that reflects the positive and innovative thinking of the Victorian era Long open piece of land that catches the sun all day long Arches under the Metrolink lines are mostly unused, but have a high quality aesthetic with ornate brick work

WEAKNESSES

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Urban expansion from the Manchester City Centre and Media City swallowing up the surrounding land Development of high rise flats by land owners with little consideration for the ecological habitats Diseases and rise in temperatures killing off tree species Contaminated land becoming a health hazard and negatively impacting soft landscape establishment Flooding from the River Irwell or extreme stormwater run-off from surrounding area Objection from people that do not understand the value of the green open space and believe green infrastructure to be merely an aesthetic improvement Climate change and environmental crisis

PUBLIC OPINION

97% 98% 82%

felt that wildlife in Manchester was extremely important or important to them

were concerned about the loss of wildlife in Manchester

try to look after nature by having a wildlife friendly garden

What would encourage you to do more to help nature?

Top 3 responses: “Accessible nearby wildlife places to visit” “Knowing I’m part of a big movement to help wildlife in Manchester” “Being able to join in with a range of activities”

What are your main concerns/priorities?

Top 3 responses: “Future generations may not experience any wildlife” “Neighbourhoods with wildlife are better for everyone to live in” “Being near to nature makes me feel happier”

An amazing 7,000 people poured into the first ever Manchester Festival of Nature on Saturday 29 June 2019 to take part in a multitude of wild activities.

Manchester Green Space Map

Manchester City Centre is massively lacking in open green space. The city centre is densely built up and remaining parks are small and sparse.

The most used open green space is Piccadilly Gardens, which caters for thousands of people a day, and at lunch time sees its population exponentially increase with hungry office-workers eager for a sample of the much-lacking green space. The design consists mostly of lawns, which are popular in summer, however remain empty and water logged in the winter months. There are mature London Plane trees that line the Piccadilly Gardens’ Market side, and fastigiate oaks that shade the square on the west side. The central fountain space, that is lit with colourful lights in winter and played in by children in the summer, is the highlight of the space.

Legend

Outside of the city centre, the green spaces and parks become far larger in size and provide many more facilities for health and well being. They are also far more valuable in terms of tree cover, carbon storage, habitat and biodiversity. These are the green spaces that residents of Manchester tend to visit for recreational purposes, because they provide more valuable experiences and longer staying times.

Pomona Island is an incredibly green space, considering its location in the city, however, there are no facilities or access for the public to use the space safely.

URBAN FORM The built form around Pomona island is varied and changing rapidly as the city centre expands. The first development by X1 is under construction on the south west end of the island, which will consist of 5 high-rise blocks of flats, fanning out to look across the River Irwell. The highest block will be 15 storeys tall. The design is a ship-inspired shape that juts out towards the water, with an overhang to allow ample room for the riverside walkway below.

Manchester City Centre

The Castlefield area is well built up with high blocks of flats along the canal.

This is currently being expanding with new builds along the A56. Further down the road, opposite Cornbrook, are two new developments under construction. These will be the tallest buildings within the site boundary.

The flats in the higher floors will most certainly have views over the tram lines into Pomona Island and across to Media City and Salford Quays.

Exchange Quay consists mostly of buildings 12 storeys or taller. A new development of flats on the west side of Trafford Road has recently been completed, making the area more varied in use, as the other urban forms are mostly offices and multi-storey parking.

Pomona Island Ordsall

Ordsall is dominated by 2 storey red brick housing. The area has two main landmarks: Nice Acre Court, a 18 storey block of flats clad with coral, grey and white colours, and Ordsall Hall, a Tudor manor now open to the public as a museum. The newest buildings in Ordsall have been flats that vary from 3 to 6 storeys high.

Exchange Quay

On the south side of the A56, towards Trafford Park, is mostly warehouses, resulting in the area feeling like an industrial park with scattered houses and flats.

Salford Quays & Media City

Current situation and proposed finished development on Bridgewater Way, facing Cornbrook Metrolink Station

Old Trafford & Trafford Park

Hulme

Legend: Landmark Buildings Offices Residential Retail Warehouses / Industrial Under construction

“Brownfield sites can often be our best access points for nature in the city. They are transient, untamed and often raw wilderness where nature has been left to her own devices to recapture the local landscape.”

“Wildflowers bloom, pollinators thrive, trees reach for the sky and larger animals find refuge in their shadows. When you take away a brownfield site you take away biodiversity.”

“Pomona is a magical vault filled with opportunity” Dr Luke Blazejewski

Fruitful Futures: Imagining Pomona, is a book that was curated by the Life Research Group and published in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University in 2016. The book embraces the spirit of activism: one of its purposes is to question and challenge the neoliberal agenda for urban development.

Fruitful Futures presents both poetic and practical sci-fi visions for designing a culture for the ‘art of fruitful living’ across disciplines in Art, Design, Ecology, and Urbanism. Fruitful Futures is a collection of stories about biodiversity and urban planning, invasive species for healthy living, and old toolkits to design new natures. It reflects the passion of the LiFE collective to inspire a holistic interpretation of the future that draws on multi-disciplinary knowledge to propose visions for the Future City.

No White Space by Marie-Therese Widger

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GARDEN

“The pleas gave way to silence, unwelcomed by politics. Our leaders have failed in developing what should be a beacon for the city and a celebration of its worldwide reputation, accomplishments, industry and land at the Ship Canal.”

“Often that metaphor of the people “in the grey suits” seem alienated from any of the senses of place and meaning of the people ascribe to this incredible” Adam Prince

HUGE ECO-TOURISM POTENTIAL “On a site with such high ecological value, we need to give parity to ecologist and economists regarding decisions like the use of this land that was once a public gardens for the benefit of Mancunians.”

“From a business point of view the potential is very high for Pomona Docks to be a shining beacon of a social and environmental justice for the North. Green is the new gold, nature has reclaimed the land and Pomona Docks are the jewel in the crown of the Manchester Ship Canal wildlife corridor. Any area of greenspace in the new green economy, especially in the urban environment is worth its weight in gold.”

“We need to reserve this biodiversity loss, all the organisations on the Docklands should work together to create wildlife habitat around the Docklands, especially on Pomona Docks, the Manhcester Ship Canal between the Millennium Bridge and Mode Wheel Locks and Green Roofs.“ James Walsh “Despite evidence that Pomona was one of the UK’s most important for Pochard, and by far Greater Manchester’s most important wildlife phenomenon, the ducks were forgotten and the docks developed.”

“Looking down on the site now, it is an oasis, the only green space left in a sea of development” Professor Stuart Marsden

“POMONA IS A DEFIANT HIVE OF LIFE THAT HAS THRIVED ON THE URBAN DECAY”

PLANNING CONTEXT

Greater Manchester Strategy

Key Aims:

GM Low-Emission Strategy

“Creating strong employment locations in all parts of Greater Manchester, with good access from residential areas, is central to achieving a more inclusive and sustainable city-region.”

Ensure that Greater Manchester offers a vibrant, stimulating environment for people to live, work, study and play, supported by a world-class cultural and leisure offer

While emissions need to be reduced universally to meet carbon targets, we will achieve the greatest impact on air quality and health by focusing some actions geographically. To meet EU limits for NO2 we need to focus on the Air Quality Management Area.

However, more widely we will secure the greatest health benefits by concentrating on areas where people are most exposed to pollution, because they live or work close to affected routes. We have therefore identified a number of focus areas which we can use to test the effectiveness of measures before rolling them out more widely. These are described below.

“Our natural environment, and the ecosystem services it provides, needs to be both protected and, where possible, enhanced in light of increasing pressures from people, the economy and a changing climate.

We will seek to protect our existing green spaces by pursuing a brownfield and town centres first approach to housing and employment site development and improving the quality of our parks, rivers and canals.”

“Our ‘Evergreen’ investment fund has invested £88m and has created 8,000 new jobs and redeveloped double the initial expectations of brownfield land – but develop this further into a place-making approach. This will need to bring together policies and investments around education and skills, housing, transport, commercial development, public service reform and amenities to create inclusive, sustainable, growth locations.”

Greater Manchester will be a carbon neutral city-region By 2020, the proportion of journeys to work by modes other than the car will have reached 32%, up from 29% in 2015 By 2020, more than 10,000 net additional dwellings will be built per annum, up from 6,190 in 2015/16

“All parts of Greater Manchester will be neighbourhoods of choice, with good quality affordable homes in safe and attractive communities, well served by public transport, so that the people that live in them are connected to jobs and opportunity and have access to excellent local amenities, green spaces and a high quality cultural and leisure offer.”

Greater Manchester will be a national leader in protecting and strengthening the natural environment

“Continued regeneration of our social housing estates is necessary to raise the quality of life of existing and new residents and better connect them into local and Greater Manchester economic opportunities.”

By 2020, Greater Manchester will have reduced CO2 emissions to 11mt, down from 13.6mt in 2014

The regional centre, which includes part of Salford, has the greatest concentration of economic activity in Greater Manchester and is the hub of the public transport network. This concentration of activity makes it a major source of transport emissions. A growing number of people are choosing to live in the centre, with plans for 40,000 new homes by 2025 proposed in the GMSF. This resident population, combined with the workers and visitors, means that a large number of people are being exposed to poor air quality.

Deansgate-Castlefield Metrolink stop

AIMS

Elevate the importance of the ecology that has established naturally on Pomona Island and allocate significant areas for wildlife to continue to thrive. These rich and biodiverse spaces will be vital in retaining the cultural value of Pomona and drawing in eco-tourism.

Provide key areas with high density accommodation, retail and food establishments that act as a stepping stone in connecting Manchester City Centre and Media City. These will orientate around Cornbrook and Pomona tram stops.

Create cohesive living spaces integrated with multifunctional green infrastructure that will benefit the health and happiness of residents. Develop spaces that operate on a human scale, utilising landscape theories such as Jan Gehl’s “Social Field of Vision”.

Connect and engage with local community schemes, such as Salford Community Orchards, My Wild City, and City Re-leaf to ensure people feel like they are part of the Manchester wildlife networks and to encourage further activism.

Encourage social interactions within the landscape and provide the opportunity to participate in street theatre; thus enhancing residents’ relationships and a strong community feel, to help tackle crime levels in Ordsall.

Establish a strong connection to Greater Manchester’s public transport network, especially with the Metrolink to provide fast access to surrounding neighbourhoods, and lower city centre emissions.

Photoshop collages used to visualise the possible future site character in the Feasibility Study. The first image was used to present the new urban character for Pomona Island, with new residential communities to be closely linked to the waters edge and the strong network of blue infrastructure. The railway arches activated with businesses and spill out space.

The second image was create to visualise the ecological park with enhanced visitor experience. Glass houses influenced by the Victorian history and Pomona Palace, that can provide space for botanical gardens, and urban food production.

Designated space for nature to continue to thrive, undisturbed in the city centre. Similar central park, the gardens would be an oasis to Manchester city centre, a pocket of greenery.

OBJECTIVES Designate specific areas where established habitat will not be touched by human activity, and provide the resources needed for the bird population to continue to thrive undisturbed. Use walkways that allow the public to enjoy the space without compromising the habitat value.

Similar to New Islington, use a carefully considered material palette and street furniture that will help convey a high quality and unique character to the development on an intimate level with users.

Provide multi-use spaces that will allow for activities such as permaculture, which will develop residents’ relationships with the landscape as they engage in urban food productivity.

Strengthen the network of community groups by establishing orchards, a sense of ownership among residents, and pay homage to the site heritage.

Create distinctive landmarks and central nodes that allow the public to use as way-finding tools and gathering spaces.

Orientate buildings and outdoor spaces with regard to sun aspect and climate to encourage people to stay and engage with their surroundings.

Provide direct routes that follow desire lines allowing people to reach their intended destination efficiently, while also allowing routes that encourage travel at a leisurely pace.

Design an arrangement of buildings that will enhance Manchester’s sky line and create a strong entrance into the Cornbrook and Pomona hubs, with buildings that will not be detrimental to the natural beauty of Pomona.

Save Pomona Community Group visiting the Island for a guided tour to spot wildlife and enjoy the beauty of the brownfield land. Apples in the spirit of the Goddess Pomona, are offered to the public to encourage community engagement.

SECTION B

DESIGN & ACCESS

PROCESS

Drawing a range of layouts and options was integral in reaching the final masterplan with confidence and deciding the appropriate amount of the built form the for site.

I played around with the living densities of the new neighbourhoods, asking myself questions such as: will the character be similar to Ordsall or Deansgate-Castlefield?

Or a medium of the two? The design must be sympathetic to the surrounding areas and reflect the best practice in Manchester, following the example of the successful schemes such as New Islington. I wanted to ensure that the design of the neighbourhood was appropriate in terms of layout of buildings that are going to sit next to an ecological park and how it will transition from urban to brownfield land.

Axonometric sketches were an aid to visualise how the spaces will work on a human scale and what ‘rooms’ will be created in the landscape. They also bring to life what the spaces may look like beneath the canopies of trees.

Process sketching allow with nodes and transpo of the urban form and space created by arran ideas of where the impo considering how people and building edges.

wed for different options to be explored, ort routes being key drivers in the design d street layout. Exploration of negative ngement of buildings allows for the first ortant public realm spaces may be. Also e tend to gather along shop fronts, cafĂŠs,

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Model making pushed the design process to evolve into a well thought out spacial design. Using 3D blocks allows for the designer to really visualise and explore how the landscape spaces will work.

My model making aided in exploring urban form and different block sizes. Initial ideas that I had been working with had faults and once I brought them into model form, I could manipulate them till I had an arrangement of blocks that fitted the brief. I used cardboard layers to assess building heights and how they can work together. From this I learnt that the taller buildings worked best towards the North East of the site boundary and that built form along the river should be lower between 2-5 storeys high.

The model also enabled me to strengthen the desire lines and views/vistas that I wanted to use to direct how people use and enjoy the development.

It is very important that people are reconnected to the waterways, as these are the most unique and important features of the site, culturally and historically. Key views are also drawn from the new development along to the ecological brownfield park.

These views will aid in way-finding and encourage people to use the new bridges to cross the River Irwell to access the new city park, and view the ecologically rich habitat.

The model making was also useful to discover where the shadows would be cast by the built form and this would influence how I arrange the public realm and gathering spaces in order to maximise the sun capture of the landscape. This also gave me ideas of where tree planting was needed for shade in the summer along the streets and where large areas of planting might thrive in the sunniest areas.

AMOUNT The proposals are for 41 new buildings, varying from 2 to 12 storeys tall: • 17 buildings will be located on the north bank of the River Irwell in Ordsall, replacing existing brownfield land and industrial warehouses • 18 buildings will be located on Pomona Island, replacing existing brownfield land • 6 buildings will be located on the Cornbrook side of the Bridgewater of the canal, replacing the scrap metal works and polluted brownfield land

The new built form will provide much needed housing for the expanding population of Manchester and Salford. There will be 3 central hubs of activity and facilities, with shops, eateries and community facilities. These will be orientated around the Cornbrook tram stop, the Pomona tram stop and the waterside amphitheatre on the Ordsall side of the River Irwell.

The proposals include the refurbishment of at least 13 of the arches beneath the railway line into shops, cafés and bars. Their original structure will be retained and the eateries will be retrofitted into the arches.

Map illustrating the existing urban grain and below the proposed urban grain

Key Design Principles Local Character To ensure that proposals respect the local character by enhancing the positive attributes whilst mitigating negative spaces Scale and Massing To provide built forms that contribute positively to the townscape while respecting the scale of adjacent spaces Landmarks, Views and Focal Points To take every opportunity to create good design that respects key views, landmarks and focal points Quality Buildings To create high quality building design with appropriately designed elements Privacy and Intrusion To safeguard privacy and amenity

The planning proposals for the Manchester Waters development include the building of 5 blocks of apartment accommodation. The first two blocks are currently under construction and are the lowest of the proposed buildings of the development, these are 10 and 12 storeys high. The next 3 blocks to be constructed in the coming years are to be increasingly taller, with the highest block being 19 storeys. These are more than double in height compared to the surrounding built form and will tower over the railway line and cast long shadows onto the riverside. My proposals suggest that the next 3 buildings to be built as part of the Manchester Waters development should be revised and redesigned with lower storey buildings that step down towards Pomona Lock. This would create a symmetrical form and be more sensitive to the surrounds.

Proposed alternative heights

MASTERPLAN

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MASTERPLAN FRAMEWORK The masterplan can be broken down into 6 distinct phases/quarters: Pomona Quarter, Pomona Island Ecological Park & Botanical Gardens, Cornbrook, Strawberry Fields, Paint Works Park, and Ordsall Riverfront.

Key: 1. New Tatton Footbridge to Exchange Quay 2. Pomona Island Metrolink Stop 3. Bridgewater Way 4. Throstle Nest Adventure Playground 5. Reilly Strand 6. Manchester Waters 7. Entrance to car parking beneath tramlines 8. Pomona Lock 9. Pomona Dock Bird watching tunnels 10. Pomona Botanical Gardens 11. Bridgewater Canal drop off point 12. Pomona Beach 13. Pomona Strand 14. Lime Pits Orchard 15. Chimney feature 16. Cornbrook Bridge 17. Cornbrook Marina 18. Cornbrook Road Entrance 19. Cornbrook Metrolink stop 20. Activated railway arches along Dock Street 21. Public water feature 22. Beardsley Bridge

23. Waterways Avenue 24. Woden’s Footbridge 25. Westward Close 26. Egerton Road 27. Basin Close 28. Strawberry Fields Basin 29. Throstle Place 30. Westward Avenue 31. Regatta Street 32. Irwell Basin Footbridge 33. Meadowseet Close 34. Ordsall Lane 35. Obelisk Walk

Framework • The key features that are being retained are the railway and Metrolink lines, the Bridgewater Canal, and the River Irwell. These are essential infrastructure and the three defining factors that have made Pomona Island such a distinct area of Manchester • Woden’s footbridge will be retained as an essential pedestrian link across the river, and there will be two new additional bridges: Tatton Footbridge and the Irwell Basin Footbridge. The two new bridges will connect a loop around the Island and massively reduce the travel time from Salford to Cornbrook and the surrounding areas • The River Irwell will have improvement works done to the walkway and the walls damaged from flooding will be reinforced with high quality materials with a consistent materials palette spanning across the whole site. The river wall will be altered in Strawberry Fields to make way for the new basin that will allow for boats to moor at the heart of the community • Two new mooring points will serve as the two main alterations of the Bridgewater Canal. These are located at the Pomona Palace Botanical Gardens and the new Cornbrook Marina, allowing for direct access into Manchester City centre and Greater Manchester via boat.

ORDSALL RIVERFRONT

Existing Situation Aerial Photograph

POMONA QUARTER

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PAINT WORKS PARK STRAWBERRY FIELDS

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POMONA ISLAND ECOLOGICAL PARK & BOTANICAL GARDENS

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STRAWBERRY FIELDS Landscape Layout

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Key Features 1. Basin Footbridge 2. Bespoke plinth seating within lawn space and mass planting 3. Chimney landmark and central focal point 4. Riverside seating platform 5. Outdoor café seating and spill out space 6. Floating stage with surrounding stepped seating along water’s edge 7. Shared space residential streets lined with street trees and front garden planting or hedging 8. Marina side seating and viewing area 9. Dye Works Square with raised lawn and tree planting 10. Marina entrance and bridge 11. Ordsall Lane 12. Waterfront townhouses and apartments 13. Basketball court, table tennis and park space 14. Worral Street Car Parking 15. Woden’s Footbridge

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Key Components • Waterfront Residential Development • Affordable Housing (extension of Ordsall community) • New Marina - Tourist and Residential Use • Waterfront Amphitheatre and Event Space • New Basin Footbridge to Pomona Island

Accessible Green spaces and tree planting

Private Open Space

Places for children’s play

Public Open Space

Sun orientated spaces

Attractive buildings

Local shops and facilities

High Quality Residential Design

Landscape lead design

Walkable neighbourhood

Sense of community

Safe for cyclists

Public transport connections

Community buildings

Natural Surveillance against crime Lifetime homes

Ordsall

Paint Works Park

Strawberry Fields

Cornbrook

Vehicle Access Plan

VEHICLE ACCESS

Strawberry fields is enclosed by Ordsall Lane, which is a key road that connects to Manchester city centre and Exchange Quay. In the design, Ordsall Lane continues to act as the main artery road and the smaller roads that connect to the housing all fan out from this. The access for cars is fairly minimal and designed to discourage excessive vehicle use or street parking. This is because the location has all essential facilities within walking distance, therefore the residents need not use cars to get around for daily life, such is the case for most city dwellers within Manchester.

Due to dense traffic and congestion, the car can be the most inefficient way of getting around the city, and walking, cycling and the Metrolink often prove far quicker, not to mention far better for the environment and people’s health.

The road system in Strawberry fields will operate on a shared surface, which will slow traffic right down and give equal priority to pedestrians and cars, this creates a far more attractive and social street scene and a safer environment for children.

PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLE ACCESS

As noted previously, this area is mainly used by pedestrians, and fewer and fewer city dwellers are the owners of cars, because parking is scarce and expensive. Therefore the whole neighbourhood has been designed around the experiences of the pedestrian and creating a lively street scene that operates on a human scale. The street trees create shade and variation along the streets, and ample street furniture will allow for people to rest and gather. The pedestrian movement will also encourage an active street frontage with sustainable businesses, as you are far more likely to stop by a shop or cafĂŠ when you are on foot rather than travelling by car. This has proven to be a success is other areas across Manchester such as Spinningfields and Ancoats.

Pedestrian Access Plan

The riverside walkway will become an essential route along the River Irwell, and the improvements will encourage more use all year round due to safety from lighting and natural surveillance. The footbridges along the River Irwell will provide quick and easy connections across the neighbourhoods and will play an important part in connecting Ordsall to Cornbrook, and the surrounding areas such as Hulme, Deansgate, Salford, Exchange Quay and Media City.

Key Spine Road Primary Road Routes

Sections Location Plan (See next two double page spreads)

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Residential Car Parking Primary Pedestrian Routes Water Routes Nodes Key Gathering Spaces

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Sectional Elevation A-AA Scale 1:250@A0

Existing flats

Ordsall Lane (With existing and new street trees on either side to create boulevard effect)

Underground car parking entrance

Ornamental planting to act as defensive barrier to private properties and create attractive entrances

Large seating plinth accommodate summ

Sectional Elevation B-BB Scale 1:250@A0

Existing flats

Ordsall Lane

Mounded lawn space to create separation from housing from the busy road

Front Gardens

Shared surface residential street with defensive planting

Caternary street lighting

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hs that can mer crowds

Seating plinths with ornamental planting

Public realm Large planting beds

Riverside Walkway

Public realm and cafĂŠ spill out space to create lively street scene along the riverfront

Seating platform with extended views along the River Irwell

Landmark Chimney with artistic lighting scheme and water vapour features

Cornbrook riverside walkway with original feature balustrade

Riverside seating and gathering space

Managed brownfield land and woodland

Sectional Elevation C-CC Scale 1:250@A0

Front garden definition with hedges - residents can put a personal spin on their gardens with planting and furniture

APPEARANCE &

Street Junction and gathering space

Warm and welcoming active frontages

QUALITY PRECEDENTS Atmosphere and Aesthetic

Strawberry Fields will be a community that is designed to be intrinsically linked to the surrounding landscape, especially because of its proximity to the river, canal and ecological park. The streets and public spaces encourage social interactions and group gathering with plenty of seating among street trees and rich planting. There will be ample room for cafĂŠ spill out spaces that link the indoor business to the outside.

The outdoor event spaces will be well lit in the evenings and encourage people to stay around the bars and restaurants from the day through to closing time, much like Deansgate-Castefield. This will contribute to Strawberry fields becoming a new, exciting district to live and work in in the city, as people will not need to travel far for entertainment and social activities.

Townhouses and apartments with defensive street trees and planting

River walkway

Surface Quality and Street Materials

The materials palette in Strawberry Fields will have a consistent base but vary slightly throughout to create variation, and distinct character areas. Effects such as cropped face setts transitioning into flamed finish granite will create subtle transitions, to define a change in use or direction. The design will be tied together will complementary colours and textures. High quality materials will be used to pave the streets and create long lasting solutions to the road surfaces.

The paving will be used to create shared surfaces along the residential streets and indicate that the vehicles do not have priority over the pedestrians.

High quality street furniture will consist of cooled toned materials such as granite plinths, powder coated steel and timber.

These will be used to create visual interest for the user.

River Irwell

Elevated viewing deck with group seating

Proposed apartments with green roof and surrounding amenity space for residents

Planting Palette

The planting in the public realm of Strawberry Fields will mostly be in large swathes and is designed to soften some large areas of hard-standing. These planting beds need to have impact all year round, especially being in close proximity to the River Irwell, which can be overwhelming with the mass of water. The palette will consist of some hardy grasses that will blow in the wind and evergreen shrubs that will provide colour and structure throughout the seasons.

Herbaceous plants will be intermingled among the main structure to provide colour, especially in summer months when people will be using the outdoor event space the most. Ornamental planting and hedges will be used outside the residential buildings to provide privacy, a sense of ownership and an attractive street space. The planting will underpin the green principles that the area has been designed with, demonstrating its close connection to the ecological park.

Bridgewater Canal

Cornbrook public realm space and street tree planting

Architectural Appearance

The building’s designs must find an appropriate medium to the red brick housing in Ordsall and the high rise flats in Deansgate-Castlefield, which will create the distinct character of Strawberry Fields.

The townhouses and flats may be designed by several architects, and then mixed up within the development, in order to create a consistent style with variation along the streets. This approach has worked well in new neighbourhoods of Amsterdam such as the Ijburg and Houthaven.

Key architectural features that will be appropriate in the design of Strawberry Fields are the use of red brick and black steel, as these are a common feature seen across Manchester, and link closely to its industrial history. Mill style buildings are opportunities for stylish window features that will provide exciting views for the residents and workers to the river and ecological park.

Angular roofs would also be an appropriate nod to the industrial heritage.

CORNBROOK Landscape Layout

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Vehicle Access Plan

VEHICLE ACCESS

There are 3 main entrances for vehicles into Cornbrook and they all go beneath the railway line to get onto site. They are Corbrook Road, Trentham Street and Waterways Avenue. The main access will come along Cornbrook Road because that is direct linked to the A56 and Chester Road which runs towards Hulme, this also then links directly onto Pomona Strand which people will use to get to the Pomona Quarter. The vehicular access in this quarter will be limited mostly to Dock Street which links all three entrances. There are two areas for larger turning circles for bigger service vehicles, one by Waterways Avenue and one by the Bridgewater Canal Marina. There is limited parking in this area, as to discourage car use. This technique has been used successfully in many areas of Manchester, and the main vehicle activity comes from taxi pick ups and drop offs, for example Spinningfields. The lack of car use will allow people to spread out as they wander around the cafés and shops. It will also mean that the café spill out spaces will remain undisturbed by traffic.

PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLE ACCESS

The pedestrian access in Cornbrook is extensive. The introduction of the Irwell Basin Footbridge provides a far quicker connection into Ordsall, and will solidify the link to the Salford area. The majority of visitors will arrive via the Metrolink into the heart of the quarter that will bring them directly out onto Dock Street, among the shops and cafés.

There is a strong pedestrian and cycle link to South Manchester via the Bridgewater Way which runs along side the Bridgewater Canal, and goes through large suburban districts such as Sale and Altrincham. This is an especially busy link in the summer,with walkers, runners and cyclists.

Pedestrian Access Plan

The walkways along the River Irwell are all being retained, but improved and widened with new surfacing, because plant life has taken over most of the routes making them difficult to access and visibility poor, therefore creating an unsafe atmosphere. These walkways all interlink and can be used by dog walkers and runners to create several circular routes around Pomona Island.

Key Spine Road Primary Road Routes Residential Car Parking Primary Pedestrian Routes Water Routes Nodes Key Gathering Spaces

Sections Location Plan (See next double page spread)

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Sectional Elevation D-DD Scale 1:250@A0

Paint Works Park

APPEARANCE &

River Irwell

Irwell Basin Footbridge (Connecting directly into Strawberry Fields)

QUALITY PRECEDENTS Atmosphere and Aesthetic

Cornbrook will be the most commercial area of Pomona Island, with the retrofitted shops and breweries in the railway arches as well as the mixed use development with ground floor shops and cafĂŠs. This will share a similar character and atmosphere that you may compare to Camden Markets, London (on a very quiet day). The old cobbles and architectural features are the heart of this area and there will be an undeniable connection to the heavily industrial past.

The regeneration will include a showering of new street trees and an attractive canal marina, where people can hop on and off boats for tours or journeys into the city. This is the main entrance threshold for most people entering Pomona Island so will have the wow factor that will encourage people to explore further and visit the ecological park.

The facilities will provide plenty of choice for activity, whether that is a pint in the sun to watch the boats go by on the canal or river, or a play with the family in the water features.

Managed Ecological Park

Picnic a with

Surface Quality and Street Materials

The materials surrounding Cornbrook will be a total uplift from the existing tarmac roads and gravel. High quality paving will create and old charming look that will withstand the ages. A range of finishes and colours in the cobble sets will create visually appealing patterns, and large areas can be softened with the European Fan Pattern or interlocking arcs. Bespoke paving details with engravings can be inserted in areas for historical interpretation and bring to light Pomona Island’s fascinating history.

Iron and steel details can provide little hints throughout the public realm and entrance spaces. These details may be quite literal or just interpretations of what lay on the site in the past. These can provide excitement in hunting them out, or their textures may add a sensory element to the street-scape. It is these details that will also elevate the quality of the public realm by having involvement of skilled local artists.

area close to wild play trails hin the ecological park

Bridgewater Canal Marina and public realm land mark chimney in tree circle

Planting Palette

Pomona Island Visitor Centre and CafĂŠ with spill out space into Lime Pits Orchard

The planting within the Cornbrook area will take some inspiration to the species found on the brownfield land and within the ecological park. Many of which are none native plants that have self seeded and thrived in this climate, mostly undisturbed, while providing rich habitat and food sources for birds, animals and invertebrates. However, the planting beds will be designed with some formality inspired by Victorian designers, such as topiary shapes used for bold forms that sit among softer herbaceous layers.

The colour palette will be focused around purple and green hues. The formality of the planting will fade towards the brownfield land, with less repetition and pattern to create a transition into the wild. This planting style will resemble a style similar to the prairie gardens found in the Olympic Park, designed by Sarah Price.

Bridgewater Canal

Bridgewater Way with improved surfacing and steps up to Cornbrook

Architectural Appearance

The main architectural feature in the Cornbrook district will remain the railway line and its arches beneath. This is significant to the industrial heritage of the site and also the defining boundary feature other than the River Irwell. The retrofitting of businesses into the archways can be done in a contemporary style with steel frames and glass windows to let in plenty of light and encourage customers in. The details such as patterns, engravings, brass finishes and signage fonts can provide and old fashioned stylised charm that link to the Victorian influence on site. The proposed buildings along the Bridgewater Canal may also be encouraged to incorporate features/ design elements that mirror the brickwork of the arches or Victorian styles. This will tie together the whole character of the site and create a consistent aesthetic along the canal, such as that seen in the Northern Quarter of Manchester.

Case Studies

CORNBOOK ROAD ENTRANCE

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Lighting Shared Surfaces Branding Murals & Public Art Planting

The entrance roads that run beneath the railway all have a similar character, sharing the attributes of being unattractive and poorly lit.

The walls have water stains, pollution and paint patches covering graffiti. The tarmac road has pot holes, mismatched materials and suffers from littering and fly tipping. The entrances have very little signage, even for those trying to locate the Metrolink stop entrance, making it a difficult area to navigate if you are not familiar with the area. The whole area is generally disorientating and would need a whole revamp to create a welcoming entrance to the new Cornbrook quarter, this includes contemporary lighting and signage to build on the brand of the redevelopment. Planting beds and wall murals would create visual excitement and encourage passers by to venture in.

LED Lighting in Cumbernauld Underpass, Scotland The project was commissioned North Lanarkshire Council in Scotland in order to regenerate the Cumbernauld in and revitalise an area that had been subject to vandalism.

Warwick Street, Mancheester This incredible stencil of a French elderly couple. The piece was created by artist C215 as part of the Cities of Hope street art convention earlier this year

Existing situation, looking out from Pomona Island towards the A65

Newton Street, Manchester Commissioned by the clothing brand Converse and executed by artist Faunographic

POMONA ISLAND ECOLOGICAL PARK Landscape Layout

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Vehicle Access Plan

VEHICLE ACCESS

The only vehicular movement through the ecological park will be cars that are travelling along Pomona Strand between Cornbrook and the Pomona Quarter, and this is to minimise the disturbance to the wildlife habitat. However, outside of the Botanical Gardens will be a plaza space where several boats can moor from the Bridgewater Canal, or enter from Pomona Lock.

PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLE ACCESS

The majority of pedestrian and cycle activity will be along Pomona Strand, and the river front walkway. People will break off from these then meander around the brownfield park and orchards. These paths will be windy and encourage slower paced movement and for people to really take in their surroundings. These paths will also be far less defined by materials and edges, the routes may even just be where the grass has been cut.

Pedestrian Access Plan 1

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Key Features 1. Pomona Lock 2. Pomona Lock Woodland 3. Historic tram tunnels leading to Pomona Beach bird hides 4. Pomona Island Botanical Gardens and Education Centre 5. Pomona Gardens Plaza and Bridgewater Canal Drop Off Point Key Spine Road

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6. Pomona Beach 7. Ecological Trails and Discovery Play Areas 8. Lime Pitts Orchards 9. Orchards Visitor CafĂŠ and Store 10. Chimney Feature and Public Realm Square

Sections Location Plan (See next double page spread)

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Primary Road Routes Primary Pedestrian Routes Water Routes Nodes Key Gathering Spaces

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Sectional Elevation F-FF Scale 1:250@A0

River Irwell

APPEARANCE &

Retained Brownfield land with managed habitat

QUALITY PRECEDENTS Atmosphere and Aesthetic

The ecological park and retained brownfield land will be the central home of wildlife for Manchester. This will be one of the greenest and richest habitats within the vast urban area, and minimal interventions will be used to retain the natural beauty that has occurred over years of abandonment. The ecological quality of the site will be very diverse, including woodland, scrub land, wild flower meadow, wetland and open water. This will continue to attract the animal and insect life that has already established, and in addition to that it will attract a wave of eco-tourism. Certain areas of the park will be a hive of activity and people exploring the unusual plant life, however other areas will be wholly dedicated to the wildlife and remain undisturbed by people so the shy species can continue to thrive, especially along Pomona Beach. It is the wilderness within the city that makes Pomona Island unique.

Pomona Palace Tram tunnels leading to Pomona Botanical Gardens Beach bird watching hides

River Irwell Dock 3

Surface Quality and Street Materials

The interventions across the brownfield land will be minimal, compared to the rest of the development, this is because the lack of external interventions is the reason that the wildlife has thrived. There is rubble and waste materials that can be reused to create seating or informative features, for example the large concrete cubes can be laser cut and engraved.

The colour palette will be neutral soft tones, such as beiges, greys and slate blues.

Surfaces can be selected to create a more natural look, such as resin bound gravel, exposed aggregate concrete or Cedec semibound gravel. The street furniture or play equipment interventions will blend into the landscape and relate to natural forms. Any interventions should have the appearance that they have always been there or have emerged from the ground like the plant life.

Pomona Strand

Pomona Lock with improvements to retaining wall, surfaces and seating

Planting Palette

Bridgewater Canal

The planting palette for the ecological park is almost fully established already by the plants that have self-seeded and grown on the island for the past 50 years. The plants that are high performers, in terms of pollen production, food source and shelter, will be encouraged to grow and some specimens for aesthetics may be introduced in certain areas. The plant life will be monitored mainly by an ecologist to maximise the biodiversity of the site and encourage the processes that will create species-rich grass lands, wetlands etc. Trees and topiary will be used along the paths to create gateways and guide the movement of people through out the brownfield land. Defensive planting such as Rubus fruticosus or Hippophae rhamnoides will also act as boundaries that will discourage human activity from entering the sensitive habitat areas, especially the areas around Pomona Beach where the birds should undisturbed.

Bridgewater Way

Metrolink Line

Retained woodland along A56

Architectural Appearance

There will only be a couple of architectural features within the ecological park, the main one being the Pomona Palace Botanical Gardens. This will be a totally unique glass house inspired by the original Pomona Palace that existed in the late 1800’s, and by the industrial warehouses that dominated the island through out the industrial revolution. The botanical gardens design will be whimsical, much like the Bombay Saphire Distillery by Thomas Heatherwick, which appears as if it is growing out of the ground.

There will also be a bird hide that will sit at the end of Dock 3 which should be simple in style such as the reference images. The design should have a similar style to the Pomona Palace, however with the aim to camouflage the people inside with discrete windows and look out points. There may be steel ropes running up the facade for climbing plants to grow along and disguise the hide with vegetation.

POMONA BEACH AND TRAM TUNNELS

The best place to observe Pomona Island’s bird life is along the old docks and Pomona Beach. Pomona Beach is the collection of sand banks and vegetation on the south bank of the River Irwell, this is where you will find birds feeding in the shallow waters or perched on old branches. To prevent the bird life from being disturbed by visitors, the old tram tunnels will provide a secret route below ground to where they can bird watch from openings in the dock walls and a bird hide at the end of dock 3. The entrance to the tunnels will only be accessed through the Pomona Palace Botanical Gardens, this is to ensure the safety of visitors and to ensure that they can be closed off at night. The tunnels will provide an exciting and immersive experience for visitors, sky lights will shine down beams of daylight and illuminate a whole world of plant life beneath ground. There will be vertical gardens of unusual species that can thrive in dimly lit spaces, much like the undergrowth of a damp woodland, such as mushrooms and fungi. These tunnels could be a new and unique botanical garden experience.

Photo below shows the existing dock walls in October 2019

SECTION C

TECHNICAL

Strawberry Fields Render Plan Scale 1:200 The following landscape layout in an Auto Cad drawing base rendered in Photoshop to show the character of several residential streets near the river in Strawberry Fields.

The area is accessible by car via a shared surface system that creates a circular loop through the neighbourhood. There is no on-street parking and so the streets should only be used for pick ups and drop offs. The paving along the street all sits flush and there are no kerbs, making the area completely accessible and allowing cyclists to walk freely. This also slows down the movement of traffic as drivers are more cautious to avoid pedestrians. The change in paving type and edging dictates where the cars should drive rather than raised kerbs along a tarmac road.

The town-houses all have semi-private space outside the front door. The larger gardens are surrounded by hedging as a marker for privacy and ownership, and inside have ornamental planting and lawn space. Some will have resin bound gravel with seating areas. Some of the smaller townhouses are fronted with a large bed of ornamental planting, a wide path to the front door and a personal cycle storage box(2 bicycles).

The pedestrianised streets are lined with street trees and large rain gardens that take on the stormwater runoff for the street and surrounding buildings.

They are intermittently broken up with crossroads or public seating/ gathering spaces. The rain gardens will have impact in creating a green street character, with lush planting to liven up the space, and link to the ecological park.

Apartments

Communal Garden Space

Townhouses

Townhouses

Private Front Gardens

Paved shared surface along all residential streets within Strawberry Fields with flush kerbs Raingarden with ornamental planting Townhouses

Cafe / Restaurant

Cafe / Restaurant

Strawberry Fields Hardworks Plan (Drawing 105) Scale 1:200

Front garden planting to take stormwater run-off from the housing roof see example image on opposite page

Strawberry Fields Levels and Drainage Plan (Drawing 106) Scale 1:200

Gutter drain to run into front garden, water to be filtered through planting and filter into ground. Heavy rain fall will be directed into over flow drains away from the buildings.

Drexus Pave Drain to be used along the road surfaces to match paving colour Road Surface

Footway Paving

Matching material to surrounding paving

Drainage channel in concrete

Axonometric view from Sketch Up model to show construction build up

Seating Plinth

Section A-AA (Drawing 314) Scale 1:25

Section B--BB Scale 1:25

Concrete Plinth Plan Scale 1:25

Location Plan Not to Scale

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Axonometric Scale 1:25

Section A-AA Scale 1:50 (Drawing 310)

Location Plan Scale 1:100 B C

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Section D-DD Section F-FF

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Seating Plinth Design The seating plinths will be engraved with unique designs using the Reckli artico process as described on the previous page. The design of each plinth will be unique and together they will form a network of historic and cultural interpretations of the site, similar to an arts trail.

Below are several design examples: 1. The fish motif relates to the underwater ecology in the River Irwell and Bridgewater Canal 2. The engraving is a select area from a historic map of Pomona Island and Ordsall in its industrial hay day 3. The pig engraving relates to the animal fairs that took place in the early days of Strawberry Fields and Pomona Gardens in the Victorian era Reference images for local and historic inspiration e.g. local flora and fauna, industrial docks, Pomona Gardens fairs The darker textured surfaces are a result of the Reckli artico foil processing

Washed smooth surface

3D Sketch Up model of rain garden with incorporated plinth with honey comb and bee motif. This relates to Manchester being referred to as a hive and the Mancunian population being referred to as bees due to their business and work during the industrial era. This has become a significant cultural identity for the City of Manchester and the symbol of the Manchester Bee has become a sign of unity among the locals.

Rain Garden Planting Plan

(Drawing 101)

Planting Schedule Code

Plant Species Name

Height/Spread

Root

Container Size

Density/m2

Aju Re

Ajuga reptans ‘Purple Torch’

15-20cm

C

5L

6.00

Ast

Aster thomsonii

20-30cm

C

5L

6.00

A tab

Astilboides tabularis

30-40cm

C

3L

5.00

Ca b

Calamagrostis brachytricha

30-40cm

C

5L

Specimen

Cs MF

Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’

50-60cm

C

15L

Specimen

Cs BY

Cornus sericea ‘Bud’s Yellow’

30-40cm

C

3L

5.00

Cr TQ

Crocosmia ‘Tangerine Queen’

20-30cm

C

5L

6.00

Dc

Deschampsia cespitosa

30-40cm

C

5L

Specimen

Hv

Hosta venusta

20-30cm

C

5L

6.00

Ir SP

Iris ‘Shaker’s Prayer’

20-30cm

C

5L

6.00

Lsp

Liatris spicata

15-20cm

C

5L

Specimen

Lim

Liriope muscari

20-30cm

C

5L

6.00

Pv

Polypodium vulgare

30-40cm

C

5L

6.00

Sc N

Santolina chamaecyparissus ‘Nana’

30-40cm

C

5L

6.00

Vo C

Viburnum opulus ‘Compactum’

30-40cm

C

5L

5.00

Vm

Vinca Major

30-40cm

C

5L

5.00

Code

Tree Species Name

Height

Girth

Root

Form

Cab F

Carpinus betulus Fagistiate Frans Fontaine

400-450cm

16-18

RB

Advanced Nursery Stock

Planting Notes • Topsoil shall be spread to min 450mm depth over planting beds • Herbicide and Cultivation: Topsoil to be treated with an application of herbicide prior to planting, where necessary, strictly in accordance with the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 (or otherwise updated/superceded legislation), and following manufacturer’s instructions by qualified staff. The topsoil shall then be cultivated to 150mm depth.

• Container Grown Shrubs, Transplants and Whips: Shrubs and transplants shall comply with the National Plant Specification. Shrubs shall be planted in pits 300 x 300 x 200mm depth, and the backfill shall include 3 litres Peat Free Tree and Shrub Compost. Specimen plants to be planted in a pit 400 x 400 x250mm depth with 5 litres Tree and Shrub Compost.

• Herbicide: Spot treat with herbicide throughout the maintenance period in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Bark Mulch: All Ornamental Planting beds to receive 75mm depth pulverised ornamental bark mulch.

•

•

Plan Scale 1:50

Advanced Nursery Tree pit 1000x1000x900mm depth back filled with 150mm depth of free draining stone and good quality topsoil. Stakes to be 3nr 100mm diameter with cross bar, treated softwood driven firmly into the ground. Stakes to be 1700mm above ground and fixed to tree with suitable rubber tree ties (with the tree in the middle). Trees to be planted with an irrigation pipe and secure the end of the pipe to the tree stake.

Watering: Plant only into moist soil and water thoroughly to the full depth of soil immediately after planting. Water regularly through the establishment period (minimum 3 months) to prevent dehydration. The 16-18cm girth trees should be watered through the irrigation pipe to ensure that the water gets down to the rootball. These trees should be watered regularly throughout spring-summer during the first 2 years to ensure that the tree root system establish well.

Pv

Lsp

Hv

V

Ca b Cr TQ

A

Hv

Vm

Aju Re

Lsp

Cr TQ Dc

Cs BY

Lsp

Vo C

Dc

Pv Ir SP

Aju Re

Lsp

A tab Ast

Sc N

Sc N

Lim

Lim Cab F

Ast

A tab

Lsp

Ca b

Aju Re

Hv Lsp

Ir SP Cs MF

Cr TQ

Cr TQ

Pv

Sc N

Plant Profiles Key: Symbol

Meaning Species interest

provides

winter

Species provides visual interest when moving in the wind Species foliage

has

evergreen

Species attracts pollinators

Species produces fruits

Latin Name: Common Name: RHS Hardiness: Foliage: Height: Spread: Colour:

Ajuga reptans ‘Purple Torch’ Bugle H7 Evergreen 0.1-0.5m 0.5-1.0 m Spikes of soft lavender-pink flowers in late spring and early summer

Latin Name: Common Name: RHS Hardiness: Foliage: Height: Spread: Colour:

Aster thomsonii Thomson’s aster H6 Deciduous 0.5-1.0m 0.1-0.5m Flowers comprising lavenderblue rays and a central yellow disk from late summer into autumn

Latin Name: Common Name: RHS Hardiness: Foliage: Height: Spread: Colour:

Astilboides tabularis Common astilboides H6 Deciduous 1.0-1.5m 1.0-1.5m Green rounded leaves to 100cm across, and small cream flowers

Latin Name: Common Name: RHS Hardiness: Foliage: Height: Spread: Colour:

Calam Korea H6 Decid 1.0-1.

0.5-1.

Fluffy spray Gloss

Latin Name: Common Name: RHS Hardiness: Foliage: Height: Spread: Colour:

Hosta venusta Handsome plantain lily H7 Deciduous 0.1-0.5m 0.1-0.5m Trumpet-shaped violet flowers are borne on stems to 30cm in height in late summer and early autumn

Latin Name: Common Name: RHS Hardiness: Foliage: Height: Spread: Colour:

Iris ‘Shaker’s Prayer’ Siberian iris H7 Deciduous 1.0-1.5m 0.5-1.0m5m Summer flowers, the standards violet-blue, the drooping falls white, heavily veined in violet and blending to a full violet flush at the tip

Latin Name: Common Name: RHS Hardiness: Foliage: Height: Spread: Colour:

Liatris spicata Button snakewort H7 Deciduous 0.5-1.0m 0.1-0.5m Green grass-like foliage and bottlebrush-like spikes of flowers which open from the top down in summer and autumn

Latin Name: Common Name: RHS Hardiness: Foliage: Height: Spread: Colour:

Liriop Big bl H5 Everg 0.1-0.

0.1-0.

Dark violetspikes autum berrie

magrostis brachytricha an feather reed grass

duous .5m .0m y purple-tinged plume-like ys of flower in summer sy green leaves

pe muscari lue lilyturf

green .5m .5m green leaves, with small -purple flowers in erect s to 30cm in height in mn, followed by black es

Latin Name:

Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ Common Name: Dogwood RHS Hardiness: H6 Foliage: Deciduous Height: 1.5-2.5m Spread: 1.5-2.5m Colour: White flowers in summer Black Berries in Autumn Bright orange stems in winter

Latin Name: Common Name: RHS Hardiness: Foliage: Height: Spread: Colour:

Polypodium vulgare Adder’s fern H7 Evergreen 0.5-1.0m 0.5-1.0m Deep green foliage

Latin Name: Common Name: RHS Hardiness: Foliage: Height: Spread: Colour:

Latin Name: Common Name: RHS Hardiness: Foliage: Height: Spread: Colour:

Cornus sericea ‘Bud’s Yellow’ Red Rosier dogwood H7 Deciduous 1.5-2.0m 1.5-2.0m Yellow-green stems that are especially bright in winter, and green oval leaves

Latin Name: Common Name: RHS Hardiness: Foliage: Height: Spread: Colour:

Crocosmia ‘Tangerine Queen’ Montbretia H5 Deciduous 0.5-1.0m 0.5-1.0m Green sword-shaped leaves and upright stems bearing rich orange, funnel-shaped flowers from midsummer into autumn

Latin Name: Common Name: RHS Hardiness: Foliage: Height: Spread: Colour:

Deschampsia cespitosa Tufted hair grass H6 Evergreen 1.0-1.5m 0.5-1.0m Feathery panicles of silverypurple flowers on arching stems in summer

Santolina chamaecyparissus ‘Nana’ Dwarf lavender cotton H5 Evergreen 0.1-0.5m 0.1-0.5m Dense silvery foliage and stalked, bright yellow flowerheads in summer

Latin Name: Common Name: RHS Hardiness: Foliage: Height: Spread: Colour:

Viburnum opulus ‘Compactum’ Compact guelder rose H6 Deciduous 1.0-1.5m 1.0-1.5m Creamy white flowers in early summer, and followed by bright red berries. Leaves turn a purplish-pink in autumn

Latin Name: Common Name: RHS Hardiness: Foliage: Height: Spread: Colour:

Vinca Major Greater Periwinkle H6 Evergreen 0.1-0.5m 0.1-0.5m Purple flowers spring to autumn

Landscape Layout Landscape Layout Key 1. Pomona Dock Bird Hide (Tunnel A) - Visitors enter via the Botanical Gardens for security and entrance experience. This will provide an elevated view over the ecological park and along the River Irwell 2. Dock 3 - The entrance from the River Irwell the Pomona Dock 3. Pomona Beach - This is the best spot to see Pomona Island’s 130 bird species feeding along the river and perched on drift wood 4. Pomona Beach Wall Bird Hides (Tunnel B) - The tunnels will provide an exciting and immersive experience for visitors, sky lights will shine down beams of day light and illuminate a whole world of plant life beneath ground. There will be vertical gardens of unusual species that can thrive in dimly lit spaces, much like the undergrowth of a damp woodland, such as mushrooms and fungi. These tunnels could be a new and unique botanical garden experience.

5. Brownfield Ecological Habitat (inaccessible to public) - This area will be managed as part of the Botanical Gardens with the supervision of ecologists and landscape architects 6. Brownfield Established Woodland 7. Pomona Lock - Opened up to the public from Pomona Strand, and repaved with additions of street furniture and lighting to create a new waterside gathering space. Here, people can watch the boats transfer between the River Irwell and the Bridgewater Canal 8. Pomona Island Botanical Gardens and Education Centre - This will be the central attraction of Pomona Island, with entrances to the bird watching tunnels and exhibitions on the ecology and history of Pomona Island 9. Open Plaza/Entrance to the Botanical Gardens - With drop of point along the Bridgewater Canal allowing boat tours and taxis to generate income and connect to the city centre 10. Picnic Lawn facing the Bridgewater Canal 11. Natural Barrier - Preventing the public from entering the protected area of brownfield land dedicated to wildlife habitat 12. Retained steps to River Irwell along the walkway 13. Natural Play Trails - The facilities are hidden within the plant life and emerging woodland for an immersive play experience.

14. Seating Circle - made using the existing concrete blocks left on site from industrial activity.

Blocks are to be either laser etched or retrofitted with metal inlays for historical interpretation pieces 15. Lawn Space - Semi private to the adjacent offices 16. Picnic Area alongside Pomona Strand 17. Lime Pitts Orchards 18. Orchards Visitor Cafe and Store 19. Central Chimney Feature and Public Realm Square

1

2

Landscape Layout Scale 1:1000

Scale bar (Metres) 0

50

10

00

12

4 15

11

3

14

13 5

19 16 18

8 17 6 9 10

7

150

200

250

500

POMONA ECOLOGICAL STRUCTURE Canopy Layer

Bare Ground and Early Successional Vegetation

Open Swards and Flower Rich Habitats

Wetland and Seasonal Pools

Sub Canopy Layer

Shrub Layer Herbaceous Layer

Deadwood Habitat

Scale bar (Metres)

0

5

10

15

20

25

Botanical Gardens and Education Centre The entrances to the Botanical Gardens contrast with the brownfield park land with a formal plaza space, gardens and canal drop off point. The plaza area is enclosed by a hedge that dictates the boundary between park and plaza. The hedge breaks at 3 places to funnel people in through the entrance points, so they can gather beneath the trees. The canal will have a paved walkway along the side, which will feature mooring points for boats to secure to the canal wall. This can be used by private boats, water taxis or other tourist organisations. Beneath the trees in the plaza are large rocky outcrops emerging from the ground that will provide a place to sit in the shade of the trees. These break up the formality of the space, and relating more to the ruggedness of the brownfield land.

Artistic Impression

50

Scale 1:2500 @ A2

Information Panel Design The information boards and signage across the park will tie together the whole design and provide opportunities for the public to discover fun facts about the Island. The information panels will provide exclusive glimpses into the ecology and history of Pomona Island.

3D/embossed text to panel. The text may be powder coated to get contrasting colours such as black and white that read easily against the corten steel.

Main body text with condensed information to keep at an easily readable length (example text on visualisation is not final, and is used to show design intent)

Sketches from design process and exploration Type 1 - Timber structure with information panel attached to the top. Flush on the sides Visualisation of the information panel in the park

Type 2 - Singular corten steel panel to form whole of information board with the laser cut and engraved lettering incorporated to main frame Corten Steel panel attached to the top of wooden base at 60 degrees to create easy reading angle for average sized adult Engraved maps, diagrams and historical resources

Foot holes to encourage shorter children to climb the signs and experience the textural elements and engage with the information

Supporting photos and imagery This could be laser cut or engraved. It may also be painted with black enamel.

Angled fold

Solid Corten Steel Panel 20mm thickness minimum

Textural features and laser cut shapes at low heights to engage with younger children that cannot read but can touch the sign. Patterns should relate to the information on the boards and the ecology on Pomona Island. e.g. bird foot prints.

Picnic Set Design

Front Elevation Seat Top

Picnic Table Set Dimensions (mm) Side Elevation

2000 mm Timber beams finish flush with metal base frame

Lettering welded to support be and top of the bench end

Seat Detail

3D Axonometric View

4 59 50

50 30

The set can be free s be root fixed to found

Front Elevation Table the

eam Treated Iroko Timber Top

standing, or manufactured to dations where appropriate

76°

Artist panel using wire mesh with graphic shapes Symbols could be bespoke to each piece by local artist and represent special elements to Pomona Island

104°

Front Elevation Set 1000

500

450 Simplistic “Pomona Island” branded welded into the inside of the metal frame with small support bar beneath the lettering

750

Natural Play Crawl Tunnel Sectional Elevations (Drawing 402) Scale 1:20

Hardwood Mix Play Grade Chippings • Tested to BSEN 1177:1998 safety standard • Produced from 100% natural sources • Attractive appearance • Very hard wearing • Clean and non staining • Free draining and quick drying • Brown/Nutty brown colour

• • •

Durability 4 -6 years FSC regulated Particle size: 10-30mm

Natural Play Leap Pads Sectional Elevations (Drawing 401) Scale 1:20

The mushroom stepping stones may either be sculpted from separate timber components and constructed with internal metal components for strength, or a similar technique can be done with moulded concrete which would have greater durability but wouldn’t radiate that natural feel compared to the timber.

Example image of sculptural timber play features

by Richter Spielgerate

Leaping Pads are small interventions that can be slotted among the grasses for children to run and bounce along, lifting them above the ground and encouraging them to see the park from a new perspective. They can be used by a wide range of ages, younger children may just climb and sit on one, where as older children can bound across them

Natural Play Elevated Hides Sectional Elevations (Drawing 403) Scale 1:25

Bird hides are inspired by work of Spanish designer Nacho Carbonell, who creates sculptural work that explores the forms of surrealism. His work often includes every day pieces of furniture with a dreamlike twist, such as dining room chairs that balloon out into cloud like pods.

Balance Logs Sectional Elevations (Drawing 404) Scale 1:20

The elevated logs will emerge out of the ground in arrangements that will encourage children to climb and run across. They will provide a change in height allowing the children to run and jump above some of the plant life. There is an element of risk in the play which makes it that bit more exciting. The logs should remain dry and have longevity because they are elevated off the damp ground.

Example of notches used in the top of a trunk to give grip and create a fun play surface

Steel support frames to be drilled and set into the base of the balance log

Ecological Park Planting Strategy The planting strategy for the ecological park is very different to the urban design because the site already has established plant communities that can be added to and managed to enhance what is already there.

The species that can be found on Pomona Island are a mix of native and exotic plants, all of which have found their own way to the island via seed dispersals methods such as the wind or the bird population.

The site already has many beautiful features and a wide variety of character areas to work with. There will be two driving factors behind the design and management of the ecological park and they are to enhance the biodiversity and the beauty.

BIODIVERSITY & BEAUTY The details would be worked up in collaboration with a team of landscape architects, ecologists and aborculturalists, to ensure that the maximum effect is achieved. This team should also continue to work on and monitor the site as it grows and develops, and make adjustments as needed to the management on a seasonal basis. These adjustments must be communicated clearly to the management team and ground workers, so they understand work they must undertake and why. The park will be more successful if there is a constant knowledge exchange between teams and everyone within the process understands the design motives. The design process will continue for as long as the site is open and will change over time as the site matures, trees grow and the habitats change. For example if bird species begin to migrate to the site that have not previously been considered, there may be adjustments to the site management to make accommodation for their nesting habits. The site must be flexible if it is to cater to brownfield wildlife, as it is constantly in flux.

Image above - Existing Situation The parcels of brownfield land that being retained and enhanced for the ecological park have areas of polluted rubble and hardstanding. Some of the loose gravel and bare soil areas are useful in terms of biodiversity, but will mostly be reduced in size to make way for rich swathes of wildflower meadows.

Factors that may drive the park design in new directions include: the establishment of new plant species, the arrival of new bird, animal or insect species, weather events, climate change, social change, There is a huge amount of wildlife on Pomona Island to be considered and catered for.

Example of considerations to be made in the design and management: Key brownfield habitat features for bumblebees • Large extensive wildflower resources, notably early successional habitats with plentiful legumes.

• Forage availability throughout the active season, from April until October.

• Long grass areas, tussocks and accumulated leaf litter for nesting carder bees and overwintering queens.

• Rodent burrows to provide nesting and overwintering sites for the Large garden bumblebee.

The following 3 spreads, have graphics illustrations to represent the plant species that will be used on Pomona Island to create visual interest all year round, with flowering plants, structural stems, fruit and coloured foliage. Most of the species chosen are already established on the island or within the local area.

The play areas within the ecological park must not fall into the traditional habits of becoming a closed off enclosure with metal frames and fences. The structures will be timber and steel, with minimal use of colour to keep a neutral palette that blends into the landscape as if it has grown there also. There will be no harsh edges and the surfacing will be a natural loose gravel or bark chippings that create a soft gradient as the planting closes into the play area, with no real defined boundary. The children should be encouraged to run throughout the planting and experience the textures and scents, they might even find a few insects while playing.

Interventions such as topiary gateways can be used to guide the public thro of habitat to remain undisturbed. This should eventually create well trodden wild character of Pomona is it preferable to avoid too many interventions suc The topiary gateways also link to the site history and Victorian heritage, an

ough the ecological park through the desired routes that will allow for areas n routes that people will naturally begin to follow out of instinct. To retain the ch as newly laid paths as they will take away from the “forgotten world� feel. nd will create a whimsical contrast to the untamed landscape.

In the arches that will continue to be used as car parking along Waterways Avenue, the harsh black railings should be replaced with steel wire and mesh to allow for climbing plants to create green walls. These will provide the security for the vehicles which continue the green infrastructure from the park out towards the city centre and create a far more appealing entrance into the Cornbrook area. It is important the ecological design intentions are demonstrated on all areas of the site.

Lime Pitts Orchard Select Species Name: Lane’s Prince Albert AGM Season of use: November-March Quality: Excellent Comments: Cooking Apple

BSe LPA BSe

Name: Bramley’s Seedling AGM Season of use: November-March Quality: Excellent Comments: Cooking Apple Name: Blenheim Orange AGM Season of use: November-January Quality: Excellent Comments: Dual Purpose Apple

Name: Laxtons Fortune AGM Season of use: September-October Quality: Excellent Comments: The best autumn dessert apple Name: Falstaff AGM Season of use: October-January Quality: Excellent Comments: Easy to grow reliable apple for mid-winter

Code

Tree Species Name

Height

BOr

Blenheim Orange AGM

200-250cm

BSe

Bramley’s Seedling AGM

200-250cm

Fa

Falstaff AGM

200-250cm

LFo

Laxtons Fortune AGM

200-250cm

LPA

Lane’s Prince Albert AGM

200-250cm

Planting Notes • Plant into 150cm x 150cm x 150cm Tree Pit with 30cm Topsoil • Trees should be provided with adequate guards to protect them from animal damage • A generous layer of mulch should be added. This should form a circle around the tree, around 1m diameter and 8-10cm thick. A hollow should be made immediately around the base of the tree’s stem so that the mulch is not touching the bark, which can lead to rotting • Use 75mm diameter soft wood stake, 90cm deep and 1/3 height of tree. Secured with 1nr adjustable tree tie • Newly planted trees require watering when planted and regularly in the first weeks after, with the ground thoroughly wetted to ensure the water reaches the roots. Depending on soil and weather conditions further watering may be necessary during the first few summers.

• Prune Nov-March to a ‘Vase’ shape. Use ONLY hand tools (secateurs, loppers, pruning saw) • Weeds should be controlled to prevent competition until the trees are established.

• Good tree management and aftercare in the first few years after planting is crucial to ensure their survival and long term health.

Fa

Pruning Notes There are lots of ways to shape fruit trees depending on the priorities of the grower and the space available but pruning is not just about pretty forms. Pruning can help trees to fight off infections by allowing for good ventilation and should encourage your trees to produce more fruit.

BOr LFo

Pruning should focus on keeping the centre of the tree clear of growth, removing branches that compete or rub against each other and getting rid of any diseased or weak growth. The key at this point is to limit pruning to no more than 20% of the tree’s mass as any more will promote stem growth over fruit.

Orchard Layout Scale 1:500

Girth

Root

Form

10-12

RB

Select Standard

10-12

RB

Select Standard

10-12

RB

Select Standard

10-12

RB

Select Standard

10-12

RB

Select Standard

In natural growth a tree will have a central leader – the branch that grows tallest through the middle of the tree and a structure of lateral or side branches that form the rest of the tree. In an open centred tree the central leader is removed and four to five scaffold branches and the main limbs that support the fruit-bearing lateral shoots are developed through formative pruning.

Never leave a stub at the end of a cut that will just rot away and be a target for disease. Always cut a branch back to the base or to a side shoot or fruiting bud.

Community Involvement Arguably, community orchards have never been more important. They provide the setting for encounters between urbanites and the natural environment. They are where young and old, rich and poor of all backgrounds can roll up their sleeves and work together or let their hair down and enjoy the harvest.

From Apple Days, to sunny picnics to midwinter pruning parties – there are lots of ways to involve the local community in a new Community Orchard. The more people involved, the easier it will be to look after the trees, and for the first three years the trees need a fair bit of attention. Before planting is the ideal time to involve people, and the planting day itself can bring in more local interest. It can be an exciting opportunity for people to use tools or provide their friends with refreshments.

Harvesting You know when an apple is ready to pick when you cup it in your hand and give it a slight twist, or tilt it horizontally, and it comes off in your hand. If you need to give the fruit a yank, or it leaves its stalk behind, or even a bunch of leaves, it is not ready!

New Woodland Planting Year 1 Section

Year 10 Section

Year 20 Section

Year 1 Plan

Year 10 Plan

Year 20 Plan

Woodland Establishment Stages

Year 50 Section Year 1

Trees planted in regular rows or grid pattern for ease of management. The spacing to be between 2 and 3 metres apart. As the woodland develops and is thinned out it will become far less regimented. Blackthorn, holly, gorse and hawthorn provide effective natural barriers,such as at path intersections or on the outside of bends to guide and deflect walkers. Shrubs and smaller trees planted along paths and boundaries will give the wood a more diverse and colourful appearance,as well as providing a graded edge that more closely mimics natural woodland.

Year 10 The first five years are crucial for establishing the trees themselves. During this period they are most vulnerable to competition for light,nutrients and water,and provide the juiciest and most tender meal for animals. After this time the canopy will shade the ground reducing competition from other plants and the tree stems will have become less susceptible to pest damage. Tree shelters, stakes and tree ties should be removed when they are no longer needed for support and protection.

Year 50 Plan

Year 20 Over time blocks of trees will thin naturally or can be thinned manually to leave one or two specimens of each species in a block. At around 20-30 years,trees can be thinned to open up dense stands and let more light on to the woodland floor. Log piles can be created to encourage dead-wood insects and other wildlife,or some income can be generated by selling the wood for firewood or stakes.

Year 50 The mature trees now are reaching their full potential with height, and for the rest of their life may fill out more width in terms of canopy and trunk diameter.

The selective thinning has allowed for woodland clearings, bringing light down to the woodland floor where rich under-storey life can thrive and seedlings can emerge. This creates a woodland with layers of plant life.

The above process only applies to the new woodland being established on Pomona Island by planting trees in areas where there is currently no tree cover or seedlings. There are several areas of young woodland already self established on the island and these will be thinned out and managed with guidance from an ecologist and aborculturalist in order to preserve the delicate ecosystems living in those areas.

MALA 703

CITIES ALIVE

Scale Bar (Metres) 0

100

200

300

400

500

Introduction to Cities Alive ARUP Looking to the Future

Cities Alive is an important report published by ARUP and aims to address the challenges facing our planet today. They explore the way in which we can tackle population growth, climate change, resource depletion, pollution and urbanisation with green infrastructure to create high quality spaces. Cities Alive explores the relationship between the design, processes, spaces and people. The report gives research based advice on design principles to help shape the way we design our future urban spaces with an understanding that “the natural environment underpins our economic prosperity.”

Nature is the key driver in promoting the economic, environmental and social benefits. This approach seeks to “create healthier, more socially cohesive and biodiverse urban environments and a connected city ecosystem for people and wildlife that also builds in resilience measures against climate change in the form of storm, flood, heat, drought and pollution protection.” The green infrastructure required to create these cohesive cities includes open spaces, urban woodland, parks, green streets, public realm, sustainable drainage systems, rivers, waterways, cycleways and pedestrian routes, and smaller scale interventions such as green roofs and walls.

The above approach, if utilised on a wide scale, will link together city environments, create connections, and strengthen existing green infrastructure. A key component is the promotion of multifunctional design, this means designing spaces where there will be a host of benefits from one area through careful planning and design. Benefits can be categorised into economic, environmental and social and cultural.

Economic

Environmental

Social and Cultural

• • • • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • • •

Local business prosperity Increased land value Attracting tourism Energy efficiency Climate change resilience Noise reduction Extreme weather protection Expanding city space Agriculture and Horticulture Green Technologies

Pollution mitigation Rebuilding biodiversity Climate change resilience Rainfall drainage/filtration Natural warming/cooling Carbon storage Pollination Habitat Protection Ecosystem regulation

Community enhancement Health Benefits Attracting tourism Easy navigation and way-finding Aesthetic improvement Increased safety Lowering congestion Community enhancement Enlivening social interaction Education and knowledge exchange

“Green infrastructure” is defined as open spaces, natural areas, urban woodland and parks; green streets, squares and public realm; sustainable drainage systems and healthy waterways, cycleways and pedestrian routes within our city environments; and smaller scale green roofs, walls and façades.

Check List for Landscape Architects Landscape Context and Assets

Ecological Site Design

Acknowledge geographic setting and landscape characteristics Take account of water catchment/supply Note current land uses and design responses to locality Consider ecosystem services and implications for biodiversity Review history of area and any heritage implications Note social and economic factors influencing landscape Review implications of climate change, energy needs and population growth Consider plans and any design proposals to date Review similar projects/case studies and projects approach

Generate green energy on-site Use indigenous and/or non-invasive plant species Use ecosystem services and enhance site ecology Minimise night light pollution Incorporate homes for wildlife Extend local plant communities Balance out and fill of soil on-site Minimise floodplain development Use water-sensitive urban design Maximise water retention on-sire Restore and create wetlands Reduce impervious surfaces Take measures to reduce air pollution

Sustainable Masterplanning Conserve historic landscape, built form and significant aesthetic features Prioritise development on disturbed land wherever possible Protect natural heritage and enhance biodiversity of site Reuse redundant structures and adapt existing landscapes for new uses Plan compact development to optimise land development potential Cater for wide spectrum of users and communities Site buildings to minimise energy use Ensure site is part of green blue infrastructure Develop design rooted in local context Encourage local use through ease of access Design networks for walking and cycling and permeable space Ensure connections to public transport Respond to the ecology of the place Design social gathering spaces and active frontages Integrate overall vision with detail design Engage local community/stakeholders Enhance biodiversity Incorporate productive landscapes Create unique, comprehensible and memorable places Plan for the inclusion of public art Encourage local business opportunities Design for multi-use and range of uses Sustain landscape from economic and social perspectives Design for health of all ages Connect people to place/destinations Include information and interpretive facilities Provide amenities for diverse range of users Provide for flexible space for future changes of uses Provide shelter and shade with large trees

Green Technologies Use recycled materials Green structures/buildings Use timber from sustainable sources Use durable products Minimise mowing/use of machinery Use organic compost, fertilisers and mulches Decompose waste on-site Use phytoremediation on contaminated sites Use porous paving Procure local construction products

Research and Comparison Leeds and Amsterdam

Amsterdam

The module began with an introduction to Leeds and Amsterdam, and their social, economic and environmental contexts. The class was divided into groups to research planning and design approaches comparably for both cities. Leeds and Amsterdam have structure relating to networks of Blue infrastructure.

Located in north west Netherlands Port city sat on the IJmeer and the River Amstel Population 850,000 Elevation -2m below sea level 1200 Bridges to join 90 islands Cultural capital of the Netherlands Connected to the North Sea via the North Sea Canal

The urban fabric of Leeds and Amsterdam are very different, Amsterdam city centre expanded out in rings from the Amstel Dam ( hence the name Amsterdam) and became a network of canals that were all vital in keeping the built form on dry land. The whole city is designed with a water-centric principle. Where land is built up for development there must also be the balancing act of creating space for water. This has had a massive impact on the architecture and settings for buildings. Where as Leeds has not had quite the extreme engineering issues of living with water, but it is still shaped around the River Aire and is now implementing its second phase of flood alleviation proposals. It will be one of the largest ever flood alleviation schemes to be using natural systems. It is believed the name Leeds, partly derives from the Brythonic (common Brittonic) word Ladenses which means “people of the fast flowing river� Leeds started as a medieval market town, and then developed massively when the textiles industry took off with the River Aire being used to export goods, and later on the Canal was built to aid this and provide connections out to Liverpool. The main contrast here is that the water in Amsterdam does not flow like Leeds, because of the topography they need the large scale pumping systems that keep the city from flooding.

Geology, Topography and Soils Rivers, Streams, River Catchments, Sea, Lakes and Ponds Plant Communities, Fields, Hedges, Forests, Woods, Trees Parks, Open Spaces, City Public Realm Buildings, Settings For Buildings, City and Townscape Access and Movement Infrastructure

Leeds Located in West Yorkshire in the North of England Inland City on the Valley of the River Aire Population 800,000 Elevation 60-340m above sea level Sat on large deposits of Millstone Grit that characterise the landscape

Amsterdamse Nieuw-West

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The project site sits on the north banks and land surrounding Nieuwe Meer, a large body of water which connects the site into the Amsterdamse Bos. The site has been selected by Amsterdam City Council as one of the few areas that is available for development for the urban expansion of the city. Amsterdam has a growing population and their economic growth requires new districts to be built, such as the Zuidas, providing new jobs and residential space.

The site is currently used mostly for recreation and as a route towards the city centre for cyclists. As part of the Amsterdamse Bos, it has been maintained with rich woodlands and grasslands which enhance the beauty of the water’s edge. On the west bank are a collection of beaches and play areas for children in the open spaces along the waterside. On the north bank is the Tuinpark Ons Buiten, a collection of pleasure gardens. There are also collections of jetties and cafÊs on the east side where people can moor their boats and use for picnics.

Schin

Site Selection

Sloten en Riekerpolder

Amsterdamse Zuid

Oeverlanden Buitenveldert

Badhoevedorp

Nieuwe Meer

Haarlemmermeer

Amsterdamse Bos

Amstelveen

Ri

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Schipol Airport

History and Site Development

Legend Water Building Ride Away Railway Embankment Allotment Garden Position of Amsterdam Sports Facility Dyke Park

Land Form Development The peat meadow landscape of the Rieker and Sloterpolder originated in the 11th century, when settlers inhabited on the Slogther, later Slotermeer. In the 12th century, the residents moved their village Sloten on the southern point from the Slotermeer to the current location on a mound, on the Sloterweg. The Sloterweg and the Osdorperweg acted as a flood defence to the Haarlemmermeer. They formed the quays from which the polders were parcelled out. Characteristics for the subdivision are narrow, north-south running strokes with long ditches in between. The Slotervaart served as a drainage channel.

The area to the north of the Nieuwe Meer is a landscape on which history can be easily traced, every layer of history remains visible. Pieces of agricultural parcels dating back to the 11th century can be found between the roads or in the layout of the allotments; the Ringvaart and the Ringdijk have a clear border between Amsterdam and the polder around the Haarlemmermeerpolde. Office or residential construction was built on the vacated site to the north of Overlanden. Meanwhile, in essence, the village of Sloten retained its original structure, despite the change of buildings and Badhoevedorp, which once started as a farm for experimental agriculture, expanded steadily. The biggest intervention was the construction of the highway, a harsh division that hardly took notice of the preceding developments.

Key Historic Developments: •

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Nieuwemeerdijk along the Ringvaart From 1956, the Nieuwe Meer on the north side was greatly enlarged by sand extraction. A large part of the Riekerpolder was excavated for this purpose into Riekerplas, which became part of the Nieuwe Meer. The Riekermolen from 1636 also had to disappear in 1956 for this and moved to the Amsteldijk at the Kalfjeslaan.

The extracted sand was used for the raising of the Western Garden Cities of Amsterdam. Since then, the lake has a depth of around 35 meters. The Nieuwe Meer is mainly used for recreational boating and leisure fishing. The Nieuwe Meer is particularly busy during the summer. There are various marinas, as well as a ferry connection between the north and south banks on weekends during the summer months. There is also a lot of wind surfing.

In the shipping route for freight transport to Amsterdam's city centre, the lake forms the connecting link between the Ringvaart of the Haarlemmermeerpolder and the Schinkel.

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In 1848, the Sloterweg planted with trees on both sides. The main structure of the village of Sloten is still determined by the intersection of Sloterweg.

The allotment gardens, Ons Buiten appeared on the north bank of the river in 1928.

The General Expansion Plan has been the basis for future developments in the area.

The intention of the plan was to create a large recreational landscape around the Nieuwe Meer, of which also the Amsterdamse Bos was part of.

The city council had already taken the decision to construct it in 1928.

1845

1929

In the 1950’s the expansion of the Nieuwe Meer for sand extraction meant a doubling of the amount of water, from 65 ha to 125 ha.

The construction of the highway in 1972 had major consequences for the relationship between Badhoevedorp and the Nieuwe Meer. It is enclosed by both the A4 and A9.

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Sport Facilities and Infrastructure East Bos The site sits opposite the largest park in Amsterdam, the Amsterdamse Bos (Amsterdam forest).

Amsterdam takes an active approach to sustainability and conservation. The Amsterdamse Bos is one of the largest city parks in Europe, containing 150 indigenous species of trees and over 200 species of birds. Started as a reforestation project in 1934, the Amsterdamse Bos covers more than 1,000 hectares.

The park offers a natural habitat for rabbits, squirrels, frogs, woodpeckers and birds. Wild orchids and other rare plants grow amongst the reeds. The most important species of plants in the Bos can be found in the botanical garden.

Plans for improving the sport facilities on the east side of Amsterdamse Bos by Shift Architecture Urbanism. The Amsterdam Forest is home to the largest continuous hockey complex in the world, an Olympic rowing course, and a unique, world-renowned cricket pitch. There has been a major increase in disorganised sports, with numerous routes for walking, cycling, riding, canoeing, running and cross country, challenging young and old to take part in sports and exercise. With this, the Amsterdam Forest is directly in line with the City’s sports policy and the programme ‘De bewegende stad’ (in Dutch).

Swim station in the Nieuwe Meer

New Sporthallen Zuid on the tip of Bosbaan

New sports axis profile

“From an archipelago of isolated sport enclaves to a Sport Axis with integrated sports facilities”

Rich Landscape Quality

The Amsterdamse Bos is a polder forest that lies in a rare clay soil type. It is a mosaic landscape of wet and dry patches, wooded areas, grassland, reed and open water provides a unique habitat for many flora and fauna species, including rabbits, squirrels, frogs, salamanders, woodpeckers and birds of prey.

The natural beauty of the Amsterdamse Bos can roughly be divided into the following areas: • • •

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The Schinkelbos (with grazing Scottish Highlander cows) The Southern Oeverlanden (habitat of the marsh harrier) The Oeverlanden Amstelveense Poel (here you can find buntings, reed warblers and sometimes even Savi’s warbler; buzzards, hawks and sparrow hawks ensure that the natural balance is kept, and this is also where you can find wild orchids and other rare plants) Vogeleiland (‘Bird Island’, home to numerous exceptional species of plants and butterflies) and the Meerzicht Polder (which harbours meadow flowers and typical Dutch meadow birds such as the redshank, black-tailed godwit and lapwing).

Deadwood Habitat

Every year in the winter season several trees are cut down in Amsterdam Bos. Thinning is important to the woodland so it can fully mature and the large healthy trees can thrive. This makes the woodland safer by allowing roots to develop stronger bases and the healthy trees will remain more resistant to disease and storms. The trees that are removed are sawn down and some of the dead wood is left on the woodland floor. This is to aid the ecological systems by providing habitat for mosses, plants and animals.

Deadwood is extremely important to the health of woodlands and even us humans!

It plays a big part in nutrient recycling. Deadwood also acts as a carbon storage system, capturing the carbon that the tree has taken in over its life and locking it into the ground to prevent that carbon being released into the atmosphere, which is a cause of unnatural global warning. Fallen deadwood also helps the stability of woodland soil and helps prevent soil erosion.

Amsterdam Green Policy

The Green Agenda sets out the ambitions for climate proofing and increased biodiversity: An additional 50,000 m2 of green roofs Preferably with a thick layer of plant growth.

Greater rainwater absorption due to increased green space For example, in industrial areas and car parks, and along motorways.

Protection of healthy trees For example, by means of the Tree Regulations.

Increased biodiversity For example, by creating ecological connecting routes.

More nature-friendly buildings For example, so birds can nest more easily The climate is changing. Heavy rain is falling more frequently, and the city is currently unable to cope. In response, Amsterdam aims to be as climate proof as possible by 2050, and green space has an important role to play. Green roofs, for example, absorb water and slow down the run-off into the street, so the drains are better able to cope with the increase.

In addition, when temperatures are high, green space has a cooling effect produced by evaporation.

In the current term of government, the city authorities will provide: Sport and exercise facilities in green space For example, walking, running, cycling and inline skating routes.

Challenging green environments for children By increasing the green space in school playgrounds.

More and improved green space in neighbourhoods For example, by planting wall gardens or postage-stamp parks.

Urban farming and green neighbourhood initiatives Supporting collaboration and green initiatives in the city.

The Sustainability Agenda (PDF) describes a number of goals designed to speed up the move towards a sustainable city: • 20/20/20: By 2020, Amsterdam will generate 20% more renewable energy and use 20% less energy per resident than in 2013.

• Improve air quality. By putting as many zeroemissions vehicles on the road as possible.

• Establish a circular economy with new forms of production, distribution and consumption.

• Make Amsterdam ‘climate proof’ by 2050.

• Ensure that 65% of household waste is collected separately by 2020.

Lomanstraat

Landscape Details in Amsterdam - Field Trip October 2019

Nieuw Oeverlanden Design

Amsterdam North

Amsterdam Strategy

Process work

Amsterdam Nieuw-West

Plans to build a new metro line that extends from the city centre to Schiphol Airport will stop on the north boundary of the site at Station Nieuwe Meer. Oeverlanden is a prime location for a new neighbourhood as the half way point between the two main stations.

The design will incorporate thinking, where nature can be a key contributor to urban technology, living and future proofing. The gains from balancing grey and green will enhance the wellbeing of residents and visitors alike.

Sloten en Riekerpolder

Badhoevedorp

Schiphol Airport

CARBON CAPTURE

CYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN PRIORITY Cities Alive

FUTURE PROOFING FOR GENERATIONS TO COME

BIRD HABITAT

Amsterdamse Bos

DUTCH HERITAGE

WATER CENTRIC DESIGN URBAN FARMING

Nieuwe Meer

SPORTING AND LEISURE FACILITIES

City Centre

Zuidas

Amstelveen

PLANTING FOR POLLINATORS

BRIDGES AND AMSTERDAM SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE

As technology progresses and human knowledge develops, the green infrastructure we can implement is becoming smarter and more efficient. Urban expansion is happening quickly and the valuable green spaces we have are decreasing in size. In some ways this in unavoidable, so landscape architects have the responsibility of making the landscapes “work harder” to provide us with essential ecosystem services. The pressures on the landscape intensify with increased air pollution and more extreme weather conditions. The interventions we make must be meaningful and have significant impacts to begin to tackle the effects of climate change.

Masterplan

Sloten en Riekerpolder

The new Oeverlanden community will be full of life and colour, with it’s design principles deeply rooted in the natural character of it’s surroundings and proximity to the Ansterdamse Bos Schinkel

Tuinpark Ons Buiten Tuinpark Lissabon Football pitches, clubs and mixed sport facilities

Rijkshemelvaartdienst Arts Association

Niweuwe En Meer Studio Complexes

Nieuwe Meer

Ringvaart

Amsterdamse Bos Scale Bar (Metres) 0

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Bridges and Ferries

Buitenveldert

New bridges will complete a loop around the Nieuwe Meer, allowing for residents and visitors to access all areas and easily navigate through Oeverlanden into Amsterdamse Bos. There will be a strong network of bridge connections across the new canal to connect the residential district closely to the parkland. The bridges are an architectural opportunity for the beauty of the natural landscape to be reflected in the design, much like the historic examples in the city centre, by the Amsterdam School.

Nieuwe Meer can host a range of sporting and leisure activities, and will have a coastal resort feel with facilities surrounding the water to enhance the interaction with the landscape

Bosbaan

Blue Infrastructure

The mass of the Nieuwe Meer will remain mostly as it is today, however, the north banks, especially in the wilder areas will be ecologically enhanced with waving edges. This will be achieved with a simple method of digging and filling, to create larger surface areas of rich habitat to increase the biodiversity of the landscape. This is a method that has been applied across the Netherlands successfully in recent years.

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Entrances and Nodes

Widened and enhanced entrances beneath the motorway and railway will create inviting gateways running south into the site, with tree-lined cycle routes and light installations to elevate the artistic heritage of the area. The main gathering spaces include the marina, beaches, lake jetties, sports facilities, and Tuinpark Ons Buiten.

Tuinpark Ons Buiten will be opened up to public access with a new public pocket park and two bridges over the dykes to access the marina

Permeability

The new Oeverlanded neighbourhood will emerge with an urban fabric that slightly mirrors the rings of Amsterdam city centre, creating a network of routes that positively contribute to the public realm. Small building blocks allow for more intimate street spaces, with no intimidating built form above 4 storeys high. This way Oeverlanden will remain a district of Amsterdam dominated by tree cover and green infrastructure.

Indicative Sections

The following sections and details illustrate the methods in which the Cities Alive principles may be achieved, with focus on the small interventions that create a sustainable community with the natural environment.

Mature trees that maximise carbon capture

Bridges across water bodies to polder landscapes

Climbing vegetation to provide shading in summer months

Urban food production

Timber shelters with sedum carpet roof

Community gardens, bioswales and ecologically friendly planting

Bee hives and “highway�, with a network of pollination and habitat spaces on roof tops

Bat Boxes Rooms in cavity walls can be a suitable place to live for bats that live in the building. Access to cavity walls can be created by means of open butt joints or built in bat boxes. These can be a tool to reduce the impact of habitat loss from the new built form.

Shared surfaces routes with cycle and pedestrian priority over cars

Biosolar roofs

Insect Bricks

Design for multi-use and incorporation of sporting facilities

Nest stones have been specially developed for solitary wild bees, such as the red mason bee. They should be placed on a sheltered, sunny wall.

Provide colourful flowering planting in the immediate vicinity to enhance the bee highways.

Green walls

Hedge boundarie

Rain Tiles Rainwater is captured and slowed down through the use of embossed paving tiles. This allows for the water to be directed towards rain gardens and drains at a reduced speed in high rainfall. They also provide an attractive and unique feature to public space.

Solar panel/green roof cycle storage and seating

Wildlife steps and ramps along waterways

Timber street Squirrel bridges furniture

Insect Hotels

Climbing green facades and rainwater collection barrels

Bat and bird boxes

Bioswales for rainwater retention and filtration

Brown roofs

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Fauna Passage Amsterdam is already building a strong network of fauna passages to allow wildlife to travel to vital habitat and food sources. These are especially important for species that are vulnerable to road traffic. Fauna passages create connections where infrastructure has caused a divide.

Weeds Wanted

Urban design often squeezes out nature of public spaces, this includes the maintenance of reducing weed growth. These “unwanted weeds� can actually provide a host of ecosystem services and incorporated into streetscapes to increase biodiversity and urban character.

Nesting Towers Nesting towers offer a solution for the bird housing shortage. In all simplicity, it is a roof on a pole, on which birds build their own nest or choose one of the artificial nests already placed.

Window markings for birds in flight

Raingardens

Urban stormwater plazas and public realm

MALA 704 Personal Manifesto Where do I want to be in 5 years time from now?

In 5 years time I hope to have completed my pathway to chartership, working in an exciting practice within the UK, ideally in Leeds or Manchester, both cities that feel like home.

My desire is to be enjoying my work to the fullest and feeling inspired by my daily tasks. If these criteria are met then it will result in high levels of motivation, something that will mean I feel the benefit of being satisfied and fulfilled with my day’s work.

I hope to be working within a practice that has a great reputation in the industry for high quality work as well as a reputation for happy, thriving team members. I hope to be working on a range of projects, in terms of size, location and client. I believe it is important to have variety in design work throughout your career as all experiences will provide different lessons and equip us with different skills. It is this variety in experience that I hope will keep me on my toes and ensure that I learn new things every day. That is one of the captivating aspects of being a landscape architect; the field of work is so massive we will never stop being challenged or learning throughout our careers, and every project will offer up unique challenges. Especially as we become more informed with climate change, carbon capture, the eco-services that the landscape provides, contributing to our health and wellbeing, we must endeavour to create meaningful landscape interventions for the future.

The following point will not be a hope, but a must and I have promised myself not to settle for any less...

I WILL be working for a practice that champions equality.

Especially with representation of female and minorities within senior roles. Landscape history has been dominated by white males, much like any other industry since the dawn of time and it is overdue that we see some new faces making design history. Where ever I am in my career in 5 years time, I expect to be offered the same opportunities to advance as my white male counterparts. I have experienced and witnessed sexism within the workplace ever since my first employment 17, and I hope my actions will be part of significant positive change within the industry. Great progress has been made over the years, but we are not done yet, so I hope to find my voice in standing up for anyone that is under-represented within landscape architecture and lead by example.

On a more personal note, I aim to have a successful worklife balance, with plenty of time spent through the week exercising, seeing friends and family, and doing hobbies

such as sketching or gardening. I feel my motivation increase when I have other projects on the go in my personal life, even if it is something as simple as redecorating a room. I will then spend my evening flicking through interior magazines for inspiration or find myself engaging in conversation with friends about design, and this all links into my general passion for design and will develop my skills as a landscape architect.

For me it is essential that I have other things going on outside of the workplace that also stimulate my brain and ensure I am learning new things, for example I have volunteered with the National Trust for several years and this has taught me so many things about the landscape and myself that I could not have gained from working in an office. It also gave me a great sense of pride, working with children with learning difficulties and disabilities opened up a whole world to me that I previously had little understanding of, and has had a lasting effect on my perspective. I would like to continue to volunteer throughout my life, and give back to the community. It is so important to me, as someone that has grown up in a very white middle-class town, with a grammar school education with degree educated parents, to branch out from that bubble and help community groups less fortunate.