The challenge posed was to devise a masterplan that would effectively harness Manchester’s heritage of economic strength and innovation in order to drive prosperity for the area in the 21st century. Key strategies identified by the practice included linking regeneration agendas in order to strengthen established neighbourhoods, creating new places of quality within areas of dereliction, and re-introducing the infrastructure of economic growth.

The urban structure of East Manchester needs a strong centre – a new district core served by a strengthened network of public and private transportation using canal, road and tram. At the same time, the practice proposed to link this core closely to the city centre and inter-urban transport nodes. This new nucleus for the area would encourage a strong local economy to thrive. In addition, it was intended that the Sport City facilities designed for the Commonwealth Games would have a continuing legacy role as a major leisure facility for Manchester.

The scheme proposed strengthening the identities of existing neighbourhoods – with ease of movement between local facilities. In the longer term, employment and educational opportunities could be co-ordinated to upgrade the skills balance in the local communities and facilitate economic growth.

A sequential strategy would progressively regenerate each area, starting with a high-quality core and then using transport links to integrate nodes of regeneration. The plan also proposed a number of creative uses for vacant land between these communities.

Careful and progressive planning would be vital to ensure that key catalytic initiatives created maximum impact over time.