Press Release

URS research to identify potential for North West landscape transformation

22 April 2009

Environmental and engineering consultancy URS has been appointed by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) to identify how best to adapt the landscape stretching from Liverpool to Manchester, for the future benefit of the region.

URS' research will identify where strategic green infrastructure interventions could best underpin economic growth, ensure climate change adaptation and mitigation, and improve quality of life for local residents. A range of 'green' scenarios will be developed for the future of the area, broadly defined as the River Mersey, Bridgewater Canal, and Manchester Ship Canal.

A steering group has been established to guide the research work, Chaired by the Mersey Basin Campaign, with representatives from the NWDA, the Homes and Communities Agency, Natural Economy North West and Peel Holdings.

Walter Menzies, Steering Group Chair and Chief Executive of the Mersey Basin Campaign said:

"With the preparatory work for the Integrated Regional Strategy now well under way and partners developing their ideas, this is the right time for our study. There is much to be learned from the experience of our own regional parks and greening initiatives and from international experience such as Emscher Park in Germany."

"In addition, there have been important developments since the previous regional strategy such as the North West region's commitment to address climate change mitigation and adaptation."

As well as the Integrated Regional Strategy, the context for the research focuses upon:
• the Government commitments to place the UK at the forefront of environmental technology innovation;
• the need to build on the continuing regeneration of Liverpool and Manchester;
• the potential economic benefits of green infrastructure investment, which could provide significant new direct enterprise and employment value for the region and position the Northwest strongly in terms of inward investment and external perceptions;
• the potential social benefits of green infrastructure investment, which could enhance quality of life in the communities through new recreational opportunities, and attract and retain population to develop our economy and counter demographic change.
• lessons learned from recent efforts to develop regional parks and other partnership initiatives in the northwest; and
• existing developer interest in the area, notably Peel Holding's Ocean Gateway.

Richard Tracey, Head of Environmental Quality at the NWDA said:

"We know from precedents elsewhere, such as the Thames Gateway 'Parklands', that there can be significant climatic and economic benefits to be gained from large scale interventions of this kind. Academic studies also show that the quality of place is a determining factor in the locational decisions of graduate calibre workers, a key to future economic prosperity."

"Whilst this is starting as a research study, the notion of a functional 'green' geography that links the region's two largest cities and the urbanised areas between them, presents an intriguing prospect for further investigation that could create the possibility of a nationally significant green infrastructure initiative."

A range of spatial, environmental and social analyses will be undertaken to develop the study, whose preliminary research phase will be completed by July 2009. Key study partners on the URS team include Urban Practitioners, West 8 and Barnes Walker Landscape Architects.

Adam Lubinsky, Project Director and Deputy Head of Regeneration at URS stated:

"We are pleased to be conducting this important research which will address the potential adaptation and transformation of the landscape between Liverpool and Manchester. The study area is complex with a range of land uses, but as such it offers the possibility to weave together new, sustainable ways of living and recreating."

The preliminary research study findings are due to be reported in July 2009.