Architect

Broadway Malyan Manchester
FoRM Associates

Type of Area

Medium-sized river with artificial banks

Land/water interaction

Harbour
Promenade
Terraces/steps

Built Environment Types

Completely built

Scale of Impact

District/neighbourhood
City
Regional

Intervention Scale (Spatial)

Small site

Project Types

Riverfront development
Economic regeneration

Urban/ Rural

Urban core

Visibility and Openness

Fully enclosed
Fully contained view

A Popular Lunchtime Spot

Manchester, Salford and Trafford were thriving urban industrial areas built on the textile industry. The River Irwell and its canal were at the forefront of the development with both recreational and commercial functions. Heavy pollution, however, destroyed the river’s ecosystems and the docklands suffered with the decline of the mills. The cities turned their backs on the neglected and degraded river.

At the end of the 20^th century efforts were made to restore the original ecosystems and reclaim the waterfront, by the Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company, formed to coordinate between local government and private businesses. The river corridor was to become a symbolic connection between the fragmented communities. It aimed to bring a cooling environment to mitigate urban heat island effects, provide sustainable drainage in this rainy climate, as well as recreational facilities. This was also seen as an important aspect of the Green Infrastructure development. 

Initial developments did not capitalise on the River Irwell assets and it remained an invisible boundary. The new buildings did not connect with the riverside location, like the Imperial War Museum with its entrance located on the opposite side. Previously the river came right up to the Imperial War Museum building, so piles were sunk into the river to construct an extension to the promenade around it, creating a symbiosis between the robust museum building and the softer edges of the river. The entrance of the museum was moved to the riverside increasing visitor numbers, thus the public space created  added value. In addition, the BBC centre located across the river, began to use the newly created riverfront as a backdrop for outside news broadcasts.

The project brief required minimal maintenance with robust materials. The place had to be vandal proof due to its proximity to a football stadium. Convex and concave geometrical forms were incorporated into the design, echoing the lapping water and wide terraces allow pedestrians and cyclists to get close to the water. The terraced construction is connected via steps and ramps to facilitate accessibility and to provide seating with views across the river, thus, it is a popular lunchtime spot. Blue lights increase its potential for night-time use.