From the Body to the City by Michael Sim

FROM THE BODY TO THE CITY

MMP2: SITE ANALYSIS SARAH LAWSON MICHAEL SIM ELISE RASMUSSEN MARK SCOTT

CONTENTS

PAGE 5: PREFACE PAGE 7: WORK INTEGRATION DIAGRAM PAGE 8: MMP1 LINKS PAGE 10: PCT RESEARCH ANALYSIS PAGE 17: HISTORICAL ANALYSIS PAGE 30: ANCHOR BUILDINGS PAGE 33: GREEN SPACE PAGE 35: INFRASTRUCTURE PAGE 38: BROWNFIELD SITES PAGE 40: SOCIOECONOMIC ANALYSIS PAGE 42: NIGHTSCAPE PAGE 45: WATERWAYS PAGE 48: TRANSPORT NODES PAGE 50: MOBILITY ROUTES PAGE 57: POST INDUSTRIAL PERMEABILITY PAGE 62: WAYFINDING PAGE 64: CITY TO SEA PAGE 66: MAPPING INTENSITY PAGE 68: URBAN GRAIN PAGE 70: ELEMENTS OF JOURNEYING PAGE 76: BIBLIOGRAPHY

SITE ANALYSIS IN THE STUDIO. LINKING IDEAS COGNITIVELY AND PHYSICALLY.

“When man dwells, he is simultaneously located in space and exposed to a certain environmental character. The two psychological functions involved may be called ‘orientation’ and ‘identification’. To gain an existential foothold man has to be able to orientate himself; he has to know where he is. But he also has to identify himself with the environment, that is, he has to know how he is a certain place”. (Norberg-Schulz, p.19)

PREFACE

order to create an architecture

and inform the design process from phenomenological, and

that will fundamentally improve the

and old, it is necessary to have a

being posed

the scale of the

body to

is which aspects

well being of people, both young thorough place.

understanding

Successful

the

architectural

indeed

practical, viewpoint.The key question

(from the city)

of the place generate Topophilia or

Topophobia for people, and especially inherent forces present in a place- for elderly people. Utilising data these may be tensions, boundaries, gathered from Personal Construct transparencies etc. or it may relate Theory based questionnaires with to the quantitative analysis of elderly participants in Manchester, collected data. In both of these and studies of the urban context, interventions

respond

the

instances this analysis study will

this research attempts to unravel the

attempt to unravel the character of

key characteristics of the place in

the

Castlefield

site in

Manchester

order to inform the design process.

MAPPING THE CITYSCAPE. INTERCONNECTIONS LINKED WITH STRING. STUDIO, 2013.

MANIFESTO + PROGRAMME

SITE ANALYSIS THEMES

MMP1: DESIGN FOR DEMENTIA & STROKE

THIS DIAGRAM DEPICTS THE INTERCONNECTION OF THE RESEARCH PROJECTS THROUGHOUT SEMESTER ONE.

MANCHESTER MMP RESEARCH- PCT BASED

THIS DIAGRAM FROM THE MMP1 DEMENTIA RESEARCH BOOKLET EXPLAINS THE PHYSICAL, COGNITIVE AND SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED THROUGH THE SCALES IN THE DESIGN PROPOSAL.

MMP1 RESEARCH In

research

through the design considerations

the site research by mapping the

project we focussed on the design

this

introductory

in the kitchen and for stroke this

historical

considerations

may

for

architects

when working with people living with dementia, or the aftereffects of

stroke.

The

research

went

from the body to the urban scales

interrogating the physical, cognitive

the

embodied

the site over time and again in the way finding work by highlighting

this

areas of opportunity for signage or

motion

memory

developed

how to move a limb by stimulating

This

patterns

design

feature.

theme was carried through

into site research by investigating the

potential

memories

that

are

clearer pathways (both physical and mental).

Lastly,

the

research

beneficial

Although the full research findings are contained within the MMP1 booklets, it is pertinent to discuss

way finding drawings are also tied

someone with dementia on the site?

into this by exposing the illegibility

How

could the access be improved

of the selected routes from the

for someone living with the effects

the main conclusions that were

of post-industrial void space.

The

transport nodes to various areas

forming

was

contained within the site in the form

conditions can have upon a person.

MMP1

and social implications that these

critical

starting point: what would benefit

of a stroke?

Could

environmental

drawn from the research and taken

of the site for an elderly person.

The

role that recollection can have in

routes?

helping someone to remember key life

city analysis we investigate some of

forward into the site analysis themes. primary conclusion that was

drawn

from

stroke

research

that

both

architecture

dementia

was can

the

and role

play

recollection and recognition.

Another

key consideration was the

events or people- this can be achieved

cues be improved for someone who struggles to navigate or remember

Throughout

this site and

these ideas and reach conclusions

through an embrace of the built

about themes that could be fed

historic urban fabric or the use of

into design proposals which seek to

dementia this may be a cognitive

memory triggers in the environment.

aspect such as encouraging eating

theme was developed within

This

create a better built environment for an elderly person.

- Sense differs in individuals. Different senses used in design process so as not to rely on one sense - Environment gives cues to activity of area - Easier to remember with memory aid - Recollection - Layout based around significent place - Rooms which holdrecognisable objects - Dificulty remember visual maps - Distinctive way finding - Activity associated with room

--Controlled stimuli, tailored environment - Clear and controllable

Increased Dependence on the Senses Recollection vs. Recognition

Stress and Anxiety

SOCIAL

COGNITIVE

PHYSICAL

Prospective Memory

Mobility Doing Tasks Together

Remembering what will happen

Sight

PCT-BASED RESEARCH As part of the MMP research project (Work Party One) a combination of PCT based questionnaires and focus groups were employed in order to elicit some of the constructs regarding people

possess.

place

that

participating

The

the

older

the

study

analysis of the data is

the primary starting point for sitebased research and the generation of architectural ideas that could enhance and improve the quality of the place.

PCT questionnaire: The PCT questionnaire

was

between a student researcher and their

participant.

allocated

The

questions were designed to elicit the constructs which make up the place experience that the participants had. The results have been collated

into three themes: activities, elements and an it

place analysis

possible

experience.

this

Through

information

arrive

some

conclusions about the potential benefits

intervention.

Firstly,

architectural the

activities

theme within the responses had the

The

their

or restaurant and learning about

questions were designed to elicit the

the history of the canal and area

constructs which make up the place

in addition to activities like admiring

the views, sitting down and walking around

explore.

Within

the

allocated

participant.

recurring themes of visiting a pub

experience that the participants had.

The

results have been collated into

three themes: activities, elements and

elements category nature featured

place experience.Through an analysis

most often

of this information it is possible

(23

responses) which

seems to suggest people see the area in a positive light. This is conversely related

the

place

experience

arrive

some

conclusions

about the potential benefits of an architectural intervention.

aspects which were mainly to do

Firstly, the activities theme within the

with maintenance of the site and

responses had

the inaccessibility of some areas for

Triadic Sorting: As part of the

older people.

Triadic Sorting: As part of the

research project a

triadic sorting method was used research project a

after the randomized grouping of

triadic sorting method was used

participantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; three

after the randomized grouping of

from the

participantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; three

selected

images

15 taken on the site walk around. Each participant completed from the

a questionnaire regarding the image they found to be the most powerful in each set of three.

The

images

15 taken on the site walk Each participant completed

a questionnaire regarding the image they found to be the most powerful in each set of three.

The

results of this study provided

several important themes that can be

results of this study elicited

several important themes that can be categorized into activities, elements and place experience.

around.

selected

Within

the

categorized into activities, elements and place experience.

Within

the

activities theme the most mentioned aspect was sitting

(frequency: 47)

11 THE FOLLOWING SERIES OF 9 IMAGES ARE FOR EACH OF THE PARTICIPANTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ALLOCATED TO US. THESE IMAGES ILLICIT THE MENTAL CONSTRUCTS THAT THE PARTICIPANTS HOLD ABOUT THE SITE. THE CONCLUSIONS PAGE HIGHLIGHTS THE MAIN FINDINGS FROM THIS INFORMATION.

into

to use. It should also be noted that

most frequently mentioned element

category that the elements identified

(frequency: 27), observing/looking/watching (frequency: 24), exploring (frequency: 17) and spending time (frequency: 15). In total there were 66 different activities mentioned with

responses

lower

followed

walking

frequencies

ranging

from

were

categorized

positive, negative and neutral.

This

element was

Lastly, the place experience category

information

points

again the most prevalent response

(frequency: 40), trees and planting (frequency: 35), bridges (frequency: 25), water (frequency: 22) and barges (frequency: 17). The most

with

mentioned

yoga and cycling to socializing and daydreaming.

When

we group

the activities into themes sitting is

responses in the walking/

exploring/guided tour category. It

negative

separate responses in this

are, as one would expect, varied and

and its location and design- notably providing shelter.

127

with

responses)

(49

was street furniture

The

aspect

was

diverse within a group of individuals. is concerned with perception and experience

the

site.

The

most

frequently mentioned aspect was poorly maintained places in the site

(40

responses) followed by messy/

untidy areas

(frequency: 20),

the

is clear from this information that

Beetham Tower with 10 responses. It is possible to conclude from this

to the older people participating in

theme therefore that street furniture

the study that for them the most

and site information points are the

important

would

most important to the participants

participate in is sitting within the site

and are seen as positive aspects of a

with

to the activities responses of walking

vast array of personal opinions/

and

activity

they

or walking around and exploring. part of the analysis of the site

it would be possible to investigate

how we, as designers, could better

site or place. This clearly correlates

and exploring- with street furniture information

points

clearly

perceived lack of safety in some

areas (frequency: 17), enjoying being there

(frequency: 15) and good 15). The responses

views (frequency:

within this section were very varied

This

230

separate

observations.

clearly shows that there is a

tastes etc. with regard to the place. is clear from this that place

experience is therefore very subjective,

accommodate these desires through

facilitating this behaviour. Within a

urban

framework for the site as a whole it

placement

is clearly important to consider the

and considering the facilitation of

deployment and design of benches

well represented across the group.

place could be improved to make it

categories

thought

furniture

design

through and

walking and exploring the site for those with reduced mobility.

Within

the

elements

theme

the

and how way-finding around the

an enjoyable area for elderly people

although the issues most mentioned of maintenance and untidiness are

Overall,

these are

place

experience

relatively

obvious

and not necessarily age specific

(i.e.

many of the students commented

would wish to do there, although

on the obvious water quality issues

there are clear shortcomings with

and upkeep of the area). As designers

regard to maintenance and upkeep

there is an imperative to facilitate

and the provision of street furniture

places

and

that

are

maintained

ultimately, this is a policy issue.

The

triadic

clearly

sorting

elucidated

constructs

which

method

yet,

From

the

participants. the

place is not as legible as it could

make

the

could

for more information infers that the

many

information

This

has

cognitive image of the place, as experienced

information.

interpreted as legibility- the need

be for the elderly people. This seems to be the key conclusion from the triadic sorting method but many of

key

the interests and concerns within

conclusions would be that overall

the group were also made clear

the participants enjoy the place and have a range of activities that they

from the numerous responses.

PARTICIPANT 1

PARTICIPANT 2

15 PARTICIPANT 3

MAPPING THE LOCATIONS WHERE PARTICIPANTS PHOTOGRAPHED TO SHOW AREAS OF PARTICULAR INTEREST AND INTENSITY. EACH ARROW REPRESENTS A PHOTO LOCATION.

HISTORICAL ANALYSIS Manchester was at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution in Britain, and was referred to as ‘Cotonopolis’ due to the rapid growth of the textile

19th

industry

during

the

mid

century, though weaving in

service-based. Comparing the modern

as diversifying the economic base

the information available in historic

meant that the interwar years were

day view of the Castlefield area with maps, it is clear that

Deansgate

Castlefield and

were entrenched in the

of the region, this huge growth weathered well in the face of the economic hardship felt across the

industrial and commercial activity of

globe. The city became the financial

the city has been traced as early

13th

century.

the city of

centre for the

as the

infrastructure like the

moved

from

the

Manchester

saw it’s population swell as people countryside

the city centre, as well as from

Ireland

and further afield.

industries included

Other iron-founding,

engineering, as well as early chemical

industries like bleaching and dyeing.

Commerce

and

trade

remained

more important to the city’s fathers

than manufacturing, and the city sought to rival

Liverpool. Many

fine buildings associated with trade were built and rebuilt due to rapid economic expansion, such as

Exchange, (1869-74). The

The

city also

for

city’s

economy

though now

the

Oxford Street and city, that reflect

around through

architectural prowess the incredible confidence and assurance of the city’s businesses.

Manchester industrial

like cities

other in

Britain,

major was

hit hard by the decline of Imperial and colonial activity in the wake of the

Second World War. The

cotton industry had been in decline

1930’s and had virtually 1950. The impact of

the city was reaping the benefits of

since the

one of the most ambitious municipal

collapsed by

undertakings of the

global conflict and the subsequent

of international stature as well

was a leading centre

England

the extensive commercial buildings on

(now cleared) and Manchester Central Station just to the Northeast of the site (now the convention centre), connected Manchester to the Northwest of England and the rest of the United Kingdom, and thereby the larger economic activity of the British Empire. At the turn of the 20th century

significant accolade is reflected in

rail

depots

North

and remains so to this day, this

rail links afforded by nearby freight

largely

18th century.

manufacturing,

The

the

for policing and lighting at night

Manchester

played an important role in

the city’s economic growth.

19th century, The Manchester Ship Canal, which opened in 1894. It provided direct link to Liverpool and to the Irish Sea, and made Manchester a port

had some of the earliest provision by the late

Canal

Manchester. Historically, Bridegwater

abatement of industrial activity at home, resulted in large portions

of the city that had been active

manufacturing centres historically, were

then

left

abandoned

cleared.

This

brownfield legacy is

an issue for urban planners and theorists.

The

urban areas in many

major cities in the

are marred by

these unsightly gap sights, a trace of a former age. It is a point for debate

at many levels of government and

fronted with the idea of loft style

Square to Slate Wharf across the canal, which increased permeability on the site. The brief stated that; ‘The new bridge . . . should be

living by the historic canal and

unambiguously a design representative

serviced by leisure facilities such as

of the late

demolition of disused warehouses

and factories, and a new vision for a

vibrant

residential

community,

bars and restaurants.

the area which we are looking at

The

ambitious and was funded by both

Manchester

displays many of the

symptoms of post industrial decline.

With

regards

current known

Manchester’s health, it is

economic as

being

centre

for

Educational excellence with the University of manchester frequently listed amongst Britain’s best universities. This was something that was secured in the post war period

when the city had to reinvent it’s self, in the dawn of a post-industrial economic climate.

From the mid 1980’s through to 2000 the Castlefield area of Manchester was subject to a fairly

comprehensive

regeneration

scheme that saw the conversion or

regeneration

vision

was

private and public investment, for example aid.

The

English Heritage

as grant

scheme sought to reaffirm

the

importance

and

the

Castlefield Canal in

Bridgewater Manchester’s story as the industrial epicentre of the North of England. Important Manchester based architecture firms like Stephenson Bell and Ian Simpson and Urban Splash, contributed to the redevelopment of the site, as well as

statement

urban

interventions

Merchant’s Bridge, by engineering firm Whitby & Bird, 1996. Which was commissioned by the CMDC and links Catalan like

the

20th century which will

contribute another stratum to the historic layering which a feature of

Castlefield,

and which will reflect

the changing pattern of uses that the area is now undergoing.’

(Parkinson-Bailey, p.290) The vision was unashamedly contemporary, one of the key buildings in the site redevelopment was an

quay old

one, which

had

warehouse, but

luxuary flats.

been now

Another, The Quay 1997 won several awards, including an RIBA prize. It was built by architects Stephenson Bell. Sadly due to poor management bar completed in

and vandalism coupled with the

global economic slump, it was unable to be salvaged and was demolished in

2007.

Scale 1:7500 Scale 1:7500 0

100

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300

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Sep 30, 2013 16:42 600

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100

200

300

400

1000 m

BY COMPARING MAPS FROM THE 1840’S THROUGH TO THE MODERN DAY IT IS POSSIBLE TO TRACK THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CASTLEFIELD AREA, AND CONTEXTUALISE THOSE DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN THE WIDER INDUSTRIAL AND CULTURAL CHANGES EXPERIENCED IN BRITAIN DURING THE VICTORIAN AGE TO THE MODERN DAY

500

Scale 1:1800

Sep 30, 2013 16:41 600

700

800

900

1000 m

100

Scale 1:2500

Sep 30, 2013 16:44 120

140

160

180

200 m

100

120

Sep 30, 2013 16:43 140

160

180

200 m

A SERIES OF DIAGRAMMATIC SKETCHES COMPLETED ON SITE IN ORDER TO INVESTIGATE SOME OF THE IMAGEABILITY ISSUES IN THE AREA. INSPIRED BY ‘THE IMAGE OF THE CITY’ (LYNCH, 1960).

LYNCHIAN ANALYSIS

orientate yourself due to the many

Deansgate and Castlefield where the transport system, canal, train and tram line cross. Edges: Edges are elements not used or

defined

considered

Landmarks: Landmarks

are a point of reference,

which makes it easer to locate you

Manchester. When Castlefield it is easy to

in the city of you are in

landmarks

around

and

in the site, which affords a clear mental image of the area and assists

with wayfinding, particularly for

are the junction of

paths

that

railroads

and

walls.

Nodes: Nodes

of how the environmental elements are arranged and related.

Castlefield

walls to the north and south of

environment.

for its visitors and an understanding

is defined by the edges with the

railway and tramline, the retaining

where

Bridegwater Canal Mancunian Road. the

and the

LANDMARK

reference to and from, like places

Paths: Paths

city

are

breaks

crossings.

strategic

points

transport

Castlefields

and

main nodes

Castlefield site

give a sense of clarity and imageability

boundaries between phases such as

orientation

people

lines.The paths of the

are

and legibility is key for a treasured

older

such as streets, walkways or transit

are

channels

which

observer

along

the

customarily,

occasionally or potentially move

NODE

DISTRICT

BARRIER

EDGE

PATH

BRIDGE

LYNCHIAN DIAGRAM OF THE AREA SURROUNDING THE TRAIN STATION, AS PART OF MMP2 STUDIO GROUP WORK.

Imageability: Castlefield has a particularly strong identity due to the postindustrial past and the build up of spaces

with the fusion of old and new and the various lay-

ers of industrial routes such as; the canal, tramline, train line and the road network which together

Transparency: The Castlefield site is a place full of layers, all with different meanings and physical properties. The transparency the infrastructure generates creates visual windows of which one can â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;see troughâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC; and cognize.

creates a clear mental image of place.

Boundary: An obvious

Castlefield is the territorial edge between water and land on the site. However boundaries do not only exist within the physical environment in Castlefield, but also between firmament and earth, and established and contemporary areas. boundary in

Tension: Chester Road active and piercing nature builds a strong sense of tension with the peaceful and calming environment of the Castlefield site, which generates a conflict between the elements creating boundaries.

Duality and Opposition: All places consist of dual elements and the Castlefield site is no expectation with oppositions between; new and old, heavy and light, light and dark and reality and refections.

INITIALLY THE GROUP DISCUSSED THE SITE AND THE ASSOCIATED PRESSURES. A COLLABORATIVE DIAGRAM WAS CREATED USING OVERLAYS ON THE MAP TO INVESTIGATE KEY ISSUES AND FORCES. INFRASTRUCTURE AND PERMEABILITY FEATURED STRONGLY AS AREAS TO BE RESEARCHED.

URBAN MORPHOLOGY “Shaping

sensuous

to collectively as urban grain. In

morphology was initially expressed

enjoyment is an art separate from

our drawings and research we have

in the writings of the great poet and

been employing the writings of

philosopher

the

city

for

architecture.”

- Kevin Lynch 1960.

Kevin

the form of human settlements and

Lynch ‘The Image of the City’, as the basis for our analysis of Manchester and the Castlefield site. Analysis of specific settlements

the process of their formation and

Urban

morphology is the study of

transformation. understand

the

The

study seeks to

spatial

structure

and character of a metropolitan area,

city,

usually

cartographic

undertaken sources

Goethe (1790); the term

as such was first used in bioscience.

using

Recently it is being increasingly used in geography, geology, philology and other subjects. In American geography, urban morphology as

the

a particular field of study owes its

and

process of development is deduced from comparison of historic maps.

origins to

Vance. Urban

Lewis Mumford and James

Special

its

the physical form of a city changes

component parts and the process of

over time and to how different cities

analysis of physical structures at

significant part of this subfield deals

of the built landscape. This approach

different scales as well as patterns

with the study of the social forms

challenges the common perception

which are expressed in the physical

examining

town the

village

patterns

its development. This can involve the

of movement, land use, ownership or

control and occupation. Typically,

attention is given to how

compare to each other.

layout of a city, and, conversely,

analysis of physical form focuses

how

physical

form

building pattern, sometimes referred

The

essence

on street pattern, site, pattern and

Another

produces

reproduces various social forms. the

idea

or of

morphology

also

considered as the study of urban tissue, or

fabric, as

means

discerning the underlying structure

unplanned

environments

chaotic or vaguely organic through understanding the structures and processes embedded in urbanisation.

MMP2 Following the analysis Manchester PCT based six

themes

having

were

identified

importance

the

research to

as the

Castlefield site. The Socioeconomic Landscape, Nightscape, Waterways, Green Space, Anchor Buildings

Infrastructure.

and themes detail

are in

including

elucidated the

These in

explanations

interconnections with the work.

pages,

following

the

MMP1

ANCHOR BUILDINGS Wayfinding

urban

suitable

Successful when

key

wayfinding

the

create

environment.

navigator

occurs can

make

group work due to the location

of the site in the city of

Manchester

which is filled with new and old landmarks.

The

about more confidenly in the large

Manchester. Moving forward with city of

our

MMP3

landmarks in and

project we all hope to make our

correct navigation decisions that

around the site provide the city with

chosen sites easy to navigate and

take him from his present location

orientation

focus on the landmarks around the

to a destination that fulfils his larger purpose.

The

imageability of

a large-scale space is the ability of

locations.

The

theme

cues

and

memorable

site to create a good wayfinding of

landmarks

one

we chose to focus on due to the

environment for stroke survivors, people

living

and

ideas on how the characteristics

wayfinding is a particularly important

of an urban space affected how

aspect of moving about in a city for

site, especially those with historical

people living with dementia.

been investigating

well

in it.

people

Lynch

remembered

features

found that the city is

organized trough: paths, landmarks, regions, edges and nodes.

Landmarks are memorable locations that help to orient the navigator; and

good

Seeing

familiar landmarks gives a sense of universally understood. landmarks

are the most important themes of wayfinding related to the elderly generation as it gives them a sense

particular

focused on landmark in our

MMP

hope to take

wayfinding and landmarks into our design project through framing or developing the landmarks on the connections or those, which have symbolic

meaning

generate

positive responses in older people.

belonging and orientation that is

locate

have

elderly people, stroke survivors and

yourself in the industrial city of

Manchester. We

way

the

dementia

Kevin Lynch ‘s

mental image or map of it. We have

information

elderly people.

with

Mood, Mobility and Place research from MMP1 concluded. Landmarks and

a navigator to form a coherent

of place, provide stimulus and can give people the confidence to move

“... SPATIAL PROMINENCE CAN ESTABLISH ELEMENTS AS LANDMARKS IN EITHER OF TWO WAYS: BY MAKING THE ELEMENT VISIBLE FROM MANY LOCATIONS OR BY SETTING UP A LOCAL CONTRAST WITH NEARBY ELEMENTS...” (LYNCH, P. 80)

AREAS OF SIGNIFICANT GREEN SPACE MAPPED AROUND THE URBAN ENVIORNMENT WITHIN THE AREA OF FOCUS.

AREAS OF GREEN SPACE AROUND THE SITE. DARKER COLOURS REPRESENT STRONGER DENSITY OF VEGETATION/ PLANTING.

GREEN SPACE Manchester was and is an industrial

MMP1

city so the lack of green space is to

economic and environmental well

Manchester city centre is somewhat “grey” with a lack of greenery

survivors

be at a premium. As outsiders we felt

something our participants agreed with.

But

green space?

there

Manchester

ever

enough

dementia

sufferers

who benefits from more green spaces for their mood and mobility.

Moving

with

our

MMP3

we feel the city

overall strategic master plan that

but some more planation and green

ally’s within the concrete and stone setting could be beneficial to the inhabitants of the city. beautiful

and

project we will all be designing an

doesn’t need to be big grand parks,

being for all, especially for stroke

an industrial city

can afford some more greenery, it

green space creates social,

city

Manchester

with

plenty

of charm due to the industrial

atmosphere, but as we researched in

incorporates pathways

connection,

green

and

spaces

that

will

particularly benefit older people and improve their mental and physical health. will

Allotments

apart

movement, gain

and orchards this

overall

scheme, which will lead to physical social interaction.

daylight

and

“A GREEN CITY IS A HEALTHY PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY. IT IS NOT JUST A CITY THAT HAS AN ABUNDANCE OF GREEN SPACE, BUT IT IS A MODERN, VIBRANT AND RESILIENT CITY WITH ITS EYE ON THE FUTURE. ULTIMATELY, A ‘GREEN’ CITY IS A PLACE THAT PEOPLE WANT TO BE”. (UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER CENTRE FOR URBAN AND REGIONAL ECOLOGY).

THIS DIAGRAM SHOWS THE MAIN ROADS, RAILWAYS AND METRO LINES WITHIN THE URBAN CONTEXT.

INFRASTRUCTURE In terms of Infrastructural elements

as two rivers that may provide an

in a city one is generally talking

alternative mode of transportation

about those physical elements that

facilitate basic economic functioning, such

roads,

bridges,

sewers,

electrical and telecommunications and water supply.

The production of goods and services, and also the

around the city.

The

drawing

transport

Overarching

themes

urban

connectivity or permeability are core

shows

routes

the site, leaving it rather isolated.

the

primary

isolated

the overall plan of the city.

from

This

includes main roads, railwys and metro lines. This drawing allows us

to our broader urban strategies. utilising

existing

elements

such

rail

lines,

and

infrastructural

tram

and

partucularly

the

underused river and canal routes

distribution of finished products to

to see the areas of interconnectivity

that are easily accessed on site.

schools and hospitals, would also

neighbourhoods and districts are

in the use of transport in an urban

markets. Basic social services such as be considered infrastructure.

Manchester is a large city of about 512,000 inhabitants within the city centre and an urban area comprising about

2.5

million,it is the second

most populous area in the

UK,

in the cityscape, as well as where located.

The

site itself is bounded

Ageism

is still a concern.

There

a clear pattern of build up around

could encourage to bolster

the area.

The

research conducted in

MMP1

concluded that transport links in

has a sophisticated transportation

connect mainly to the

It has historic canal routes as well

setting.

by considerable infrastructure and

system but suffers from congestion.

There are many social issues involved

Manchester

periphery of the

Castlefield

site, and

do not continue into or through

are initiatives that councils

awareness of the difficulties faced by

elderly people on public transport, such

signage

designated

seating close to the front of the vehicle.

THESE DIAGRAMS INDICATE THE AREAS OF GAPS WITHIN THE CITY AND SITE CONTEXT AND ALSO THE LEFTOVER SPACE FROM DERELICT INDUSTRIAL BROWNFIELD LOCATIONS.

BROWNFIELD & GAP SITES Derelict,

post-industrial

global

engrained

land

phenomenon in

our

and

cultural

consciousness; the vast swathes of

areas for

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;upgradingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Along Manchester we

waterways of

the find

that there are many such sites. The common barriers to redevelopment

urban decay associated with the

include

collapse of the automotive industry

industrial activity and most pertinent

Detroit

during the late

50â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

and

contamination

due

of all, the current economic climate.

The

potential benefit to the health

thatgrew out of the ensuing chaos

our

are well documented and forever

activating these sites are instinctively

the

subsequent

immortalised

social

images

problems

urban

disorder. Though this example has a very particular context, the affects are by

universally post

industrial

acknowledged societies.

The

experience of these sites in an urban

context pertain to social unease, this perception is common and local governments usually target these

felt.By have

cities

thinking the

ability

occupying creatively to

improve

or we the

experienceof our cites and create

age friendly environments. Productive landscapes and improved more

housing

with

integrated

modes

of transportation are key to our thoughts about potential schemes for improving the site.

THE DIAGRAM INDICATES AREAS OF SOCIOECONOMIC DEPRIVATION IN CENTRAL MANCHESTER. DARKER YELLOW AREAS HAVE HIGHER LEVELS OF POVERTY.

SOCIOECONOMIC MAPPING Manchester is known as one of the world’s great Industrial Cities and a leader in trade and commerce. It was the home of the industrial revolution and today is one of the

UKs

use of glass and steel.

Many

old

mills and textile warehouses have

public

been

people and business and public sector

converted

into

apartments,

helping to give the city a much more

modern, upmarket look and feel.

to move into the city from the

Salford are on a tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage Site status. The proposal centres on the Bridgewater Canal, regarded as the first true canal,

surrounding

which helped create the industrial

cities.

leading and most innovative

grow

The population began to as Manchester offered more

and more opportunities for people countryside

and

Ireland, particularly Irish potato famine in the 1840s. Since the regeneration after the 1996 IRA bomb, and aided by the XVII Commonwealth Games, Manchester’s city centre has changed significantly. Large sections of the city dating from the 1960s have been either demolished and realso

from

during the

developed or modernised with the

who says measures such as free

Manchester

and

transport

employers wage of

for

should

unemployed

adapt

living

£7. 45. Greater Manchester

has also been named child poverty capital of

Britain;

where

27%

are

classed as living in severe poverty.

For

the elderly generation who

and high poverty percentages.

focusing on in Mood, Mobility and Place, poverty rates in Britain are amongst the highest in Europe. Pensioner poverty is headed upwards, which is something that needs to be dealt with. Low income

than half of

for elderly people often reflect in

revolution.

Today Manchester

has earned a

reputation for gang related crime

More Greater Manchester

are

households are at risk of slipping

poor health and low well-being.

poverty”

Moving

forward with the

project

economic

considerations

feature

heavily

the

below the poverty line and “extreme is

already

massive

The Greater Manchester Poverty Commission, problem according to

design schemes.

MMP3

proposed

NIGHTSCAPE In

terms of nightscape, one might

refers to the activities that people

The Stone Roses, The Verve, The Smiths, Joy Division; New Order, Happy Mondays, Elbow, David Gray and Simply Red. During the early 90’s, Manchester’s

undertake

reputation as a nighttime destination

consider the visual impact of the city’s

physical

features

night,

artificially lit or not. The term also

creating

during a

Manchester later. Manchester nightlife

night

evening scene

hours,

life.

was secured. The rise of house music

UK’s

largest student populations at over

500 000

there is always something

happening at night. Though the club scene is primarily geared towards

bracket,

the city also has a wide variety of restaurants and entertainment

prominence at that time have not

venues that are popular with people

activity that takes place in the city

been fully remedied, but remains much

for it’s energetic music scene, with

drug scene that became so infamous.

during the day. The city is renowned an extensive list of bands and artists

originating for the area, including

improved for the height of the rave/

Today

the city is still a popular

haunt for weekend party goers and

organised crime

the

students and the

and drug problems that rose to

The

scene

London.

has one of the

has a busy and vibrant

that resulted.

club

Manchester

and

with

hedonistic

second only to

is most famous for the

comparable

the

hen and stag parties, with a nightlife

of all generations.

THE DIAGRAM ON THE NEXT PAGE SHOWS THE VARYING SYMPTOMS BETWEEN EARLY, MID AND LATE STAGE DEMENTIA IN OLDER ADULTS.

WATERWAYS The Bridgewater

canal running to

an integral of the

Cheshire Ring

our site is considered to be the first

network of canals where pleasure

the construction of an aqueduct

Plans to regenerate the area along

to cross the

the canal has been put in to work and

the first of

proposals such as the

â&#x20AC;&#x153;trueâ&#x20AC;? canal in England; it required River Irwell, one of its kind. The canal it

craft is located along the water.

the reflection it gives. The preferred

action the participants from the focus group wanted to do by the

sit was to sit and reflect, mentally restoration.

The

relied upon existing watercourses

way is a clever scheme to get more

environment

as sources of water rather than

users to the area of the

universally

routes.

navigable

Its

success

canal, but keep the

Bridgewater

strongly about was the water and

Bridgewater serenity. The

helped inspire a period of intense

Bridgewater Way

canal building in

rebuild the canal and make it more

Britain. It

later

faced intense competition from the

Liverpool

Manchester Railway and the Macclesfield Canal. Navigable throughout its history, it is one of the few canals in Britain not to have been nationalised, and remains privately owned. Manchester is today in a post-industrial phase compared to those days. The ship and

canal is still there but the docks

is a scheme to

accessible to users, particular cyclist.

It is to be a 40-mile development that

will create a leisure route along

the historical canal. The project is a fresh approach that will connect the communities with history. program

creates

new

The

access

point and a wide surface for new users, have focal points, public arts and

heritage

interpretations

and

shipping

programmes. It will also have a safer

now goes to huge container ports

and a more appealing route that is

have

gone

because

elsewhere. The

the

Bridgwater canal has

been rejuvenated and is now purely for leisure.

Now

the canal forms

to be used by all ages. the

MMP1

Looking into

group work a key theme

that all participants seemed to feel

soothing

water produces

enjoyed.

that

The MMP1

research showed us how important the canal is historically, physically and physiologically, and therefore

will be a vital feature in all of our designs.

will all focus on creating an

even better environment around the

Bridgewater canal that will specially benefits by

the

designing

elderly an

generation environment

suitable for stroke survivors and dementia sufferers by creating a safe environment with good pedestrian walkways, well lit spaces, enough resting

places,

respectable

public

toilets and a beautiful place for body and mind that will sooth all the senses.

INTERIM THEMES From the initial interrogation of the PCT Research and through site analysis techniques illustrated

previously as broad themes, we chose

which may arise from these, in the form of symbols and photographs of barriers.

to focus attention on particular

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;leftoverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

areas which tied into the

studio work.

The

MMP1

Secondly,

post-industrial a

space

mapping

the theme of

permeability was

and

articulated

drawing

the

next few pages

impermeability of many of the arches

present the interim drawings that

and brownfield sites against the

were presented at the

layering of historical information

Firstly, nodes

MMP2 review.

mapping the infrastructural and

associating

this

permeability was carried out to assess

access to the site. In addition to this the second drawing mapped routes

to show areas of tension, intensity

and gaps in the otherwise uniform urban fabric.

The

rationale behind

each drawing is presented with a

MMP1 studio PCT based work

clear link to the

through the site from key transport

work and/or the

nodes and charted mobility issues

Manchester.

INVESTIGATING MOBILITY: MAPPING ROUTES AND PERMEABILITY FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE

POST-INDUSTRIAL PERMEABILITY & ‘NEGATIVE SPACE’ MAPPING

INITIAL SITE ANALYSIS WORK (GREEN SPACE MAPPING ETC.)

MMP 2 INTERIM REVIEW: CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE ORIGINAL SITE ANALYSIS THEMES AND THE DEVELOPED ANALYSIS REGARDING MOBILITY & THE CITY AND POST-INDuSTRIAL LEGACY.

TRANSPORT NODES In

order

investigate

the

site.

The

routes themselves are â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;as

and

the crow fliesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; as the mapping is

associated permeability into the site a

representative of mental constructs

transport

connections

mapping drawing of the primary and secondary

transport

conducted in a

480m

nodes

minute walk for an elderly

Secondly, some

was

(a 10 person).

radius

of the top desirable

activities that the

PCT Research

elicited from the participants were mapped onto the site itself (this varied

rather than physical routes.

The

diagram

the

proliferation

connections

clearly on

side of the site

of the

(towards

represents

the

need

also for

South

access from the main nodes in the

the town

the drawing, from the mapping of

Northern

centre). There is a strong density of potential visitors coming to the site

from these points, despite the fact impermeable from this direction. The more

starkly

and

the

Southern

constructs were then linked to

happen

transport

of cultural interest).

mental

could

highlights

that the area is actually relatively

These

activity

better transport into the area from

from places to sit down and admire

views to bars/restaurants and places

shows the areas where potential

North. The

and more considered second conclusion of

activity hubs, is that there are many places within the site that the

PCT

research highlighted as being of particular interest and importance to an elderly person.

half of the site is much

open

with

through

the various transport nodes which

routes, yet there is only a handful

had been identified to highlight that

of transport connections to the

an elderly person could be coming

wider city at this end.

from any of these points and wish

representation of the transport and

The

to reach a destination within the

mental construct density clearly

visual

THIS DIAGRAM MAPS THE MENTAL CONSTRUCTS AND ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT NODES FOR PARTOCIPANTS IN THE STUDY. THIS DRAWING HIGHLIGHTS THE PERMEABILITY OF THE SITE.

1 el mi de nu rl te y w pe al rs k on fo r (4 a 8m n ) an r fo in) lk /m wa 48m s ( te 0m u n 8 mi , 4 10 son r pe

TRANSPORT NODE

LARGE TRANSPORT NODE

MUSEUM OUTDOOR EVENTS GYM RETAIL LANDMARK/HISTORICAL BENCH CAFE PUB/BAR

SITE DESTINATIONS/MENTAL CONSTRUCTS AND ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT NODES: INFRASTRUCTURAL PERMEABILITY STUDY

MOBILITY ROUTES The

following drawings highlight

the importance of the impact of elements of the environment on the quality of journeying for the elderly.

Journeying

the

area

without

lasting

of perceptible elements that reflect

Overarching themes such as poor mobility, maintenance and safety

following methodology was then

embodiment of energies or memories.

is an important

created

cognitive

aspect of establishing a sense of

barriers

place, as it affords us to form a

any

and

journeying,

an elderly persons to journey.

The

applied to the selection of sites

resulting

programs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Cook School, Memory Museum and Arts space. The

physical

and

in the exploration and investment

mapping of these routes produced

deeper understanding through the

of the

information

composition

elements

environment.

elements

The

within

perceptible environment

afford the readers the ability to

orientate themselves, form a sense of attachment and build a profound memory.

The

research

participants elements negative

often

the

elderly

conveyed

that

Elderly lost. Simple

Castlefield

journeys have been

mapped to the destinations within

Castlefield that were photographed by the participants, the elements

illustrated

the

possibility of creating an environment to

encourage

positive

perception

and mobility within a route which has been taken forward into an

that compose the routes have been

overall

highlighted by the research to often

memory route to encourage mobility

lead to poor perceived environments

through environmental cues and

and could hinder, mobility within an environment and the level of

Castlefield

created

attachment to that environment,

connotations

about

questioning if it is the composition

that

strategy

planning

elements of an environment that afford reflection and journeying.

POST-INDUSTRIAL PERMEABILITY The historical legacy of Manchester

have been left largely untouched.The

activity

resultant drawing clearly shows

has defined many aspects of the

the bounding districts of the site

city

hub

ranging

typology

industrial from the

architectural prevelance

gap sites and ‘left over’ space from bygone industries.The process behind

the creation of this drawing came

from two separate areas.The mapping of brownfield sites around the area

as substantially changing over time,

Castlefield site untouched- a microcosm

whereas the actual is largely within

the

wider

patterns

changing streets and housing styles.

This

perhaps alludes to the reason

many of the

PCT Questionnaires

was completed in the intial research

returned ‘tranquility’ and ‘secrecy’

themes and helped to inform the

as key themes within the mental

formation of this theme of post

constructs of people visiting the

industrial

legacy.

ontological

The

forces

studies and

grain

also informed this drawing after highlighting these historical traces.

Maps

of the city over a

100

year

area.

The

second ‘layer’ of information

in the drawing is the mapping of permeability leftover

and

space.

The

post-industrial images

taken

historical period were overlayed in

around the site show blocked up

order to investigate and highlight

archways and underpasses which

the areas of particular historical

have been

intensity, as well as places which

Diagrammatic mapping of site specific post-industrial traces, and the associated impermeability. Place experience aspects are highlighted through MMP research participantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; recurring comments adjacent to the images.

Barriers

Abandoned. Neglected.

Rerouted infrastructure

Undiscovered

Node

Intersection of time periods

Wasted potential

Impenetrable pathways

Historic map overlays from 1840s- present day. Areas (or nodes) of continual development and morphosis over time are highlighted with circles.

DEVELOPED THEMES Following the MMP2 Studio Review, a physical connection exercise was undertaken by the group.

using

coloured

string

represent the connections between the research and drawings produced it became clear which thematic areas had the potential to be developed into a framework which addressed

the issues on the site, whilst at the same time providing fertile ground

for a design manifesto. The theme of scale became the key focus: from the body to the city.

PROCESS. WORK FOLLOWING THE MMP2 REVIEW TO HIGHLIGHT CONNECTIONS AND RELATIONS BETWEEN WORK

IN ORDER TO LINK THE RESEARCH TO THE PROPOSED MANIFESTOS AND TO VISUALISE THE INTERCONNECTIONS A SERIES OF WALL DIAGRAMS WERE CREATED. THE STRING LINKS EACH DRAWING WITH A PROPOSAL OR RESEARCH TOPIC.

WAYFINDING & SPATIAL ORIENTATION The theme Legibility: Spatial Orientation and Wayfinding derived from our MMP1 research where the

and

participants stated that they felt

we have concluded as the

Manchester difficult in.

Legibility

the

was an illegible city

permeability.

Kevin

wayfinding

Lynch in “Image

participant that the

Considering principles

City” MMP 1

of the

Castlefiled

site

themselves

has the opportunity to thrive into

is the degree to which

a legible place where wayfinding

design

orientate

the

environment

could improve the ease with which

aid people in creating an effective

people can navigate themselves to,

the spatial relationships within the

Taking MMP3

mental image, or a cognitive map of environment, and the subsequent ease

wayfinding

atmosphere.

within

the

legible city has clear,

easy-to-recognise

features,

which

are easy to organise, easy to make into patterns, and are hence easier to recollect.

This diagram explores the legibility of Manchester and the Castlefiled site

trough

analysis

landmarks and anchor buildings, constellations,

transport

systems

from and within the place. this

onward

our

project we are wanting to

design legible, well-designed spaces that includes new environmental interventions the

memory

and of

past

celebrates

experiences,

which will give a strong sense of orientation in the

Castlefield site to

the wider urban environment which will

confidently

create

better

quality of life for people living with dementia and stroke survivors.

“A

good environmental image gives it professor an

important relationship between himself and the outside world”

- Kevin Lynch, 1960.

63 PEGASUS

COSMOLOGY ABOVE MANCHESTER

CYGNUS

SCALED UP SECTION OF RAILWAY ARCHES ILLUSTRATING PERMEABILITY AT THE LEVEL OF THE SITE, OVERLAYED WITH THE CONSTELLATIONS ABOVE MANCHESTER IN MID-NOVEMBER.

ARCHWAY PERMEABILITY

PISCES

AQUILA DEANSGATE STATION

LEVENSHULME

VICTORIA STATION

RAIL INTERCHANGE

ARDWICK

PICCADILLY STATION RAILWAY CONNECTIONS

PRIMARY RAIL ROUTES

AUSTRINUS

CATHEDRAL

GRUS

ERIDANUS

TOWN HALL LAW COURTS

ANCHOR BUILDINGS

CITY LIBRARY

ARNDALE CENTRE TUCANA

NATIONAL FOOTBALL MUSEUM

WATERWAYS THROUGH THE SITE

MANCHESTER SITE FOCUS

LEGIBILITY: SPATIAL ORIENTATION AND WAYFINDING “A good environmental image gives its professor an important relationship between himself and the outside world” -Kevin Lynch, 1960. The theme Legibility: Spatial Orientation and Wayfinding derived from our MMP1 research where the participants stated that they felt Manchester was an illegible city difficult to orientate themselves in. Legibility is the degree to which the design of the environment aid people in creating an effective mental image, or a cognitive map, of the spatial relationships within the environment, and the subsequent ease of wayfinding within the atmosphere. A legible city has clear, easy-to-recognise features, which are easy to organise, easy to make into patterns, and are hence easier to recollect. This diagram explores the legibility of Manchester and the Castlefiled site trough an analysis of landmarks and anchor buildings, constellations, transport systems and permeability. Considering ‘Lynchian’ principles of wayfinding in “Images of the City” we have concluded, as the MMP 1 participants have, that the Castlefiled site has the opportunity to thrive into a legible place where wayfinding could improve the ease with which people can navigate themselves to, from and within the place. Taking this forward to the MMP3 project we intend to design legible spaces that include new environmental interventions, and celebrate the memory of past experiences, which will give a strong sense of orientation in the Castlefield site to the wider urban environment. In turn this will create a better quality of life for people living with dementia or stroke.

FROM CITY TO SEA

HYDROSPATIAL MAPPING: CITY TO SEA.

CENTRAL MANCHESTER HAS FIVE MAIN WATERWAYS, TWO OF WHICH ARE RIVERS (MEDLOCK AND IRWELL) AND THREE CANALS (ROCHDALE, ASHTON AND BRIDGEWATER) IN ADDITION TO THE MANCHESTER SHIP CANAL. THE BRIDGEWATER CANAL THE aCASTLEFIELD SITE WITH TheCONNECTS canal became key focus for the bathymetric data, large settlement THE RIVER MEDLOCK AND THE WIDER ESTUARINE as it embodies parts mapping and distances, the produced ENVIRONMENT. THIS MMP2 CANALproject WAS CONSTRUCTED IN 1761 TO the other themesAND . The industrial drawing also alludes to the TRANSPORT COALof FROM WORSLEY, LATER FROM LIVERPOOL. THE MANCHESTER SHIPMCANAL WAS CONSTRUCTED legacy of anchester is almost phenomenological qualities of IN 1893 TO BRING SEAentirely VESSELS based INTO THE HEART OF MANCHESTER. around and on the the canal. The connection that PREVIOUSLY, THE RIVERS HAD FACILITATED THIS. canals which served the city

and

the city has with the sea and the

much THE of WATERWAYS the cultural estuarine environment is particularly THIS HYDROSPATIALtherefore PLAN INDICATES WHICH CONNECT MANCHESTER TO THE WIDER WORLD, IN ADDITION memory which makes up the mental significant in unravelling some of TO BATHYMETRIC DATA AND SIGNIFICANT INFRASTRUCTURE image of Manchester is related to the forces of the place. There are WITHIN THE ESTUARINE ENVIRONMENT. THE CASTLEFIELD SITE IS waterways . InAND order to explore connotations of energy and flow CONNECTED TO THISthe WIDER CONTEXT, ULTIMATELY TO THE the relationship the city has with brought into the city from the wider REST OF THE WORLD THROUGH WATERWAYS. THE WATER IN MANCEHSTER IS PHENOMENOLOGICALLY IMPORTANT WITH THE the wider waterway network and environment as well as a feeling of DEEPLY EMBEDDED CULTURAL HISTORY AND ASSOCIATIONS ultimately the Irish Sea a drawing connection to the sea and the wider WITHIN THE CANALS AND RIVERS. mapping

these

connections

was

produced. In addition to practical

world. These forces are important in any design considerations.

��

WALLASEY

BIRKENHEAD

� ��

��

BOOTLE

[LIVERPOOL]

��

ELLESMERE PORT

� ��

��

WIDNES RUNCORN

� � � ��

��

WARRINGTON

��

SALFORD

��

[MANCHESTER]

A SCALED DOWN VERSION OF THE FINAL WATERWAYS CONNECTION DRAWING.

MAPPING INTENSITY In

order to investigate the intensity

the area was a “forgotten gem” or

around the site six historical maps

drawing

were overlaid onto the existing plan.

Areas

of intensity

(i.e.

considerable

developments and road changes) are either overlaid with a high density of

lines or cut out from the drawing.

Conversely,

some

areas

which

have stayed the same over a long

period of time were also cut outmost notably the canal.

Therefore

had secretive aspects.

The

revealed that the site itself was largely

untouched

around

intense gird of constant change development,

and

which

would

seem to show that at the physical urban the

level

the

perceptions

participants

The

patterns

around

the

were of

accurate.

development

area-

moving

from

the drawing physically represents

factories/industrial architecture to

both

tenements and finally contemporary

permanent

and

temporary

architectural aspects of the place.

The

method of representation was

specifically

chosen

convey this dichotomy.

many

the

PCT

order

research

construction are effectively omitted

from much of the site, again hinting within the

‘special’ quality place. Furthermore, the

areas

high

towards

this

intensity

responses and interviews the theme

outline

of tranquility came up as being

the

something which struck participants

areas of importance and cultural

remarked how

significance at the urban and local

about the site.

Many

historical

development

nodes

clearly

within

Manchester-

levels are clearly highlighted.

The

conclusions

the

reached

from

drawing include that the spatial organisation around the site has changed

considerably

over

time,

whereas the site has remained as an island within this development

and has been relatively untouchedthe design implications for this are that an intervention could either

encourage people into the site or, conversely, retain the secretive nature of the place.

Secondly, the

drawing

represents the historical importance of the canal to the

Castlefield

area and the connections with the

wider urban context. Paradoxically for the isolated nature of the site, it is connected by waterways to other cities and the rest of

Manchester-

further adding to its ‘special’ nature.

THE FINAL DRAWING WAS PRODUCED AS A LASER CUT PIECE OF PAPER INDICATING THE AREAS OF INTENSE DEVELOPMENT OVER TIME.

URBAN GRAIN A ‘good’ physical environment is one An environment is experienced in all that offers positive sensorial variety lights and all weathers, and can and stimulus. An environment profoundly effect the way we move that has clear visual legibility in or inhabit a space. In the course of and facilitates safe navigation is

a single day we move from dark to

something that is crucial in a city

light and dark again, that change is

that are well

expressed by the path of the sun and

setting.

Environments

lit, during the day or at evening, that

are active and that have a clearly defined are

purpose

generally

are

held

things

that

‘commonsense

notions’, inherent and engrained in planning and design.

interact with the urban realm

on a physical and mental level. We are in constant contact with the

surfaces and materials that make-up

those environments, particularly by touch and movement.

designers

we have to be aware of material properties,

the

appropriateness

the way light effects the experience

of our world; from the street to a room.

For

an older person making

a short journey can prove difficult, particularly

when

the

weather

is bad, and especially during the

autumn and winter months, when

uneven surfaces are very common, often

making

walking

difficult,

particularly when an aide is utilised.

Our

environments are filled with

signals and traces that help us to navigate or tell a story about a place. These signals are embodied in the grain of a place and include

elements; such as the age (historical), any vernacular building forms (when applicable) as well many

the

thoughts

and

personal

place experience instilled in a given

Research

talks of

are hazardous.

conducted

MMP1

by the writings of Heidegger, when he

Dwelling; ‘I

think therefore

showed that older people generally

had

that a very particular locality with

affection

environments related

than

memory.

for

new,

historic this

When

one

looks in more detail at historic environments we find that these are

possessed by that material(s).

paving sets and

individual. Which is what is inferred

the

properties

Historic

factors like frost and fallen leaves

the choice and at the same time phenomenological

friendly’.

the ones that are usually least ‘age

am.’ which can allude to the fact

specific physical elements, will have different

meanings

individuals.

for

different

JOURNEYING THROUGH THE URBAN GRAIN An environment is experienced in all lights and all weathers, and can profoundly effect the way we move in or inhabit a space. In the course of a single day we move from dark to light and dark again, that change is expressed by the path of the sun and the way light effects the experience of our world; from the street to a room. For an older person, the envronment can impact greatly on jounreying .Our environments are filled with signals and traces that help us wayfind or remember aspects ofplace. These signals are embodied in the grain.

ELEMENTS OF JOURNEYING Journeying

is an important aspect

of establishing a sense of place, as it affords us to form a deeper understanding

through

composition

elements

environment.

elements

The

the

perceptible

barriers

environment

memory.

any

lasting

Overarching themes such as poor mobility, maintenance and safety cognitive

attachment and build a profound

and

journeying,

physical resulting

in the exploration and investment

Elderly in Castlefield to lost. The following drawings

of the be

elucidate

the

negatively

perceived

elements and areas of opportunity

research

participants negative

without

created

orientate themselves, form a sense of

elements

area

embodiment of energies or memories.

within

afford the readers the ability to

The

the

often

the

elderly

conveyed

that

Castlefield

created

connotations

about

the

environment

within

Castlefield.

afford

Elderly for of Journeying

opportunities to the the better investment

MOBILITY ISSUE

TRANSPORT NODE

LARGE TRANSPORT NODE

GYM

REFLECTION PUB/BAR POINT OF INTEREST

CULINARY SCHOOL

MEMORY MUSEUM

MARKET POST OFFICE GP

MOBILITY ISSUE

SAFETY ISSUE MAINTANENCE CROSSING

UNEVEN SURFACE

WATER MAINTANENCE

GRADIENT

NARROW POINT

SERIAL VISION This

short piece of film seeks to

express a sense of place as experienced by ourselves.

creating a series of

short moments that conveys the essence of the place.

have deliberately avoided the

use of quantifying or analytical techniques

mapping

orientation techniques, which have

been employed in other areas of our research and focuses mainly

reality.

Where

surfaces

and

spaces in a locality are normally

understood sequentially, the film

is an abstraction, a recollection.

Expressive

of a particular time

(s),

that is captured and transformed in the footage.

many ways it seeks to represent

how memory is intimately linked to perception, and how that perception

is unique on an individual level.

on the very different atmospheres

Memory of course is something that

that are present in

is central to our research in relation

Castlefield. It

explores the site in short jilts of

the next to create a sense of the

of our designs we are considering

place which is more akin to our

how the idea of memory and place

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;serial

visionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; where one leads into

memory rather than one experienced

older

people

and

specifically

those living with dementia. In each

can be reinforced by architecture.

PROCESS. STILLS FROM THE VIDEO PROJECTION CREATED AS PART OF THE PROJECT AND DISPLAYED AS PART OF MMP 2.

CONCLUSIONS The

MMP2

combined

project

with

the

research conducted in

research

PCT based Manchester

study

raised

issues

around

the

routes through the site and the significance of the blocked arches

with elderly participants provided

in this, as well as mapping anchor

buildings

with

urban

the

framework

intervention.

The

for

primary

conclusions reached from the site

throughout

the

city

and representing the relationship between these and

Castlefield. At

analysis were the impermeability of

the same time, the research also

the area for elderly people owing

highlighted

to mobility issues in the environment, but also the dense build up on the

Northern

edge which makes the

site visually, and cognitively, remote.

addition to this, the wayfinding

site

has

the

with

wider

place for us and for the participants, in addition to mental constructs, which make up the cognitive image of

Manchester.

many ways the site analysis work

is about scale; from the body to the

city and ultimately from the city to

the

the wider world. This consideration

world

is being taken into each design project

connections the

phenomenological qualities of the

through waterways and transport

links to the

will have the needs and desires of

cities

across

Irish Sea the

and other

country.

The

work also elucidated many of the

thematic

framework

which

the elderly population interwoven throughout.

NEW TRANSPORT INTERCHANGE

ARCHWAY PERMEATION

URBAN STRATEGY

GREEN ROUTE + HIGHLINE

NEEDS + DESIRES OF OLDER PEOPLE

SITE ACCESS ROUTES

BIBLIOGRAPHY WEB: JRF (2013). Manchester Poverty Figures (online) http://data.jrf.org.uk/search/?q=poverty, Accessed October 2013. MCC (2013). General Background Information (online) 2013.

http://www.manchester.gov.uk,

Accessed November

BOOKS: Cullen, G. (1961) ‘The Concise Townscape.’ London: Architectural Press. Tuan, Y.F. (1974) ‘Topophilia: A Study of Environmental Perception, Attitudes & Values’. Prentice-Hall: New York. Lynch, K. (1960). The Image of the City, JCUS (MIT) Norberg-Schulz, C. (1980). Genius Loci: Towards a Phenomenology of Architecture, NYC: Rizzoli Intl. Pub. Sinclair, F. (1984) 150 Years of Architecture. Edinburgh, Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland. Pallasmaa, J. (2005). The Eyes of the Skin, London: Wiley-Academy. ILLUSTRATIONS + OTHER: MMP Work Party One- PCT Research Analysis Document (October 2013) Figures 1- 4: Authors’ own Figures 5-7: Participant’s photographs (MMP Research WP1) Figures 8: Authors’ own Figure 9: http://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/448/archives_and_local_history/326/historical_photographs_of_ manchester

Figure 10: http://digimap.edina.ac.uk/digimap/home Figures 11-45: Authors’ own