Green Infrastructure
for Rochdale Borough
in Greater Manchester
(Part 1 of 2)
Francis Hesketh CMLI CEnv
Partner, TEP
Study Objectives:
1. What does Green Infrastructure
mean for Greater Manchester?
2. “Route-map” for the City Region
to implement GI
Why?
•
We have to (policy obligation in RSS and NGP)
•
We need to (to effectively deliver key functions & deal with
growth blockers (MAA & GM Strategic Plan))
•
The “2025 world-class city” vision requires a
collaborative approach to GI
•
Case studies elsewhere e.g. London / New York
emphasise that partnership working is critical –
“Its Infrastructure, Stupid!”
We will make our cities
sustainable by a few major
projects and a thousand and
one small changes
From Low S. Sustainable Cities
Image © CABE
“Growth-support” functions of Green
Infrastructure in GM
1. Flood risk management & climate change
adaptation
2. Ecological framework
3. Sustainable movement (multi-user routes)
4. Sense of place
5. River & canal corridor management
6. Positive image & setting for growth
7. Supporting urban regeneration
8. Supporting communities, health and enjoyment
Jobs & Prosperity
Tourism, Leisure, Image, Inward
Investment, Gateways, Healthier workers,
Flood-proofing town centres
Every Child Matters
Healthier lifechoices, Sport,
Environmental Education
Community Safety
Healthier communities, more volunteers, better
looked-after places
Cleaner Greener Environment
Parks & Open Spaces, Access to the
Countryside,Volunteering, Biodiversity,
Landscape Quality
Health & Wellbeing
Sport, Leisure, Mental Stress relief
PLACE
LIFE
Quality
ENVIRONMENT
Case study 1: River Quaggy, Lewisham, London
• River flows 35% in culvert, 39% in “concrete canal”
• Flooding affected development potential and land
values downstream
• Lewisham Town Centre vulnerable
• Traditional engineered solutions to flood defence
required maintenance and had delivered one function
at the expense of many others
• Local revolt against engineered solutions – Quaagy
Waterways Action Group
Case study 1: River Quaggy, Lewisham, London
• Sutcliffe Park was a “typical green desert” park –
Quaggy flowed in culvert underneath
• Regeneration and health issues
• QWAG /Environment Agency used Flood alleviation
scheme money to create flood storage washlands in
Sutcliffe Park instead
Left: 2003 before restoration
Below: 2004, then 2007
Economic Benefits: Lower cost flood defences. More
flood storage. Increased development potential and
town centre flood-proofing
Health Benefits: More use of park:
Biodiversity Benefits:
Community Cohesion Benefits: Active Civic group
Regional Centre
and Inner Areas
East London Green Grid
River
Quaggy
Regional
Park
Opportunity
Regional Centre
& Inner Areas
Case study A: Pennine Edge Forest
• Belfield Urban Forest was underused
greenspace in the River Roch Valley
• Close to HMR area and existing deprived
communities
• NEWLANDS and SUSTRANS schemes
• January 2008 flood storage protected town
centre
Case study A: Pennine Edge Forest
• Natural Signposting Project in Kirkholt
(interwar estate with over supply of
green space)
• Connections to Rochdale Canal &
Tandle Hill Park
• South Rochdale Forest Trail
Transforming Estates
Priory Green (Peabody Trust,
London)
Case study B: Irwell Valley
• M62
• DUN Land,
• Flood Issues
• Biodiversity & Cultural Heritage
• Deprivation Issues
• Close to HMR / Growth Point
Case study B: Irwell Valley
Case study C: Littleton Road Playing Fields – Flood
Attenuation Basin in the Irwell Valley, Salford
• Existing Playing Fields
• Flood bunds and environmental improvements
• 1:75 Flood risk protection to Housing market Renewal
Area
• January 2008 floods – the basin protected 6500 homes
• Increase in investor confidence
Case study D: Irwell City Park
• Cross-boundary (Salford, Trafford, Manchester)
• Environmental and waterfront improvements
• New leisure, tourism and business destination
• GI delivered thro’ public realm/ greenstreets/ new
waterside access
• Contiguous with Croal Irwell Regional Park
• Strong brand attractive to investors
• Good delivery model