future canals of manchester
future canals creative consultation: oct 2019 - july 2020
Urban Wilderness were engaged by Canal and River Trust to consult with young people on their attitudes towards and hopes for a section of canal that runs through the city centre (lock 87-85).
The canals in Manchester are problematic spaces, sitting beneath the glossy city centre, providing spaces to hide or cut through.
Anti-social behaviour, drugs, prostitution and accidental deaths in this canal-side area have contributed to negative public attitudes and fear of the canal.
Read the full report here for more information on this project and a discussion of the wider issues around canals in Manchester.
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islamic school for girls: photo walks
Students joined us by the canal-side area where they took photos and discussed what they could see now and what they would like to see in the future.
How does it make you feel?
Calm and peaceful. Lots of graffiti, that doesn’t make me feel safe. I think graffiti is art but it has to be in the right place. It’s just like empty and depressing. It’s not as pretty as I thought it would be. There was pollution in the past and there’s pollution now. It takes your mind back to the past. It shows a different side to Manchester
How could the canal be used in the future?
There could be stands selling hot dogs, candy floss, burritos and street food. You could have boat rides like in Thailand or Oxford. Make it nicer. More greenery and benches. People could spend peaceful time here. You could have water activities, like canoeing. Decorate the bridges so people from other countries want to come and visit. Tourists would say ‘let’s go there to take photos’. Make it an Instagram moment.
visualising future canals of Manchester
In response to the young people’s experiences we created an architectural 3D model of the canal-side area. We arranged to bring the model to the Islamic School for Girls where the students would adapt the model to represent their hopes for the future. The model was to be included in an exhibition at the Manchester Museum as part of their Heritage Futures program.
Unfortunately this project was not fully realised due to the severe disruptions caused by Covid-19.