Levenshulme Neighbourhood Plan

Baseline brief of public space improvement

By: Khalafalla Omer M.Sc. Global Urban Development & Planning, University of Manchester, UK
Architect and Urban Planner MBA in Project Management, University of Science and Technology, Sudan
B.Sc. in Architecture and Spatial Planning, University of Science and Technology, Sudan
Email: khalaf_81@hotmail.com
Table of Contents

Introduction........................................................................................................ 3

Section 1 Identifying the neighborhood, a map of the area .............................. 4

Section 2 - Basic conditions ................................................................................. 8

Section 3 Key and standout issues ................................................................. 12

Conclusion ....................................................................................................... 13

Reference List .................................................................................................. 14

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Introduction:-

Levenshulme neighborhood is located in south east of Manchester city, it considered as a

linkable zone that connects Stockport district with Manchester city center, as the light rail way
and Stockport road are the main corridors for levenshulme and Stockport residents to access
Manchester city center. This situation leads to a high amount and different types of transitory
such as drivers, pedestrian and public transportation users among levenshulme neighborhood.
The neighborhood is mainly divided into two mains areas, the west side area, which is more
developed as the majority of Westside residents have higher quality homes with front and back
gardens, while the east side area is more deprived in term of housing quality. However, both
areas are having equal access to public space and facilities.

The latest statistics shows that the total population of Levenshulme neighborhood is about
13051, 65% of them are white British, 13.5% are Asian British, about 7% are white Irish, while the
rest of population are from other ethnic groups such as black, Chinese and other mix ethnic
groups. This statistics demonstrates that Levenshulme population represents a diversity of
different backgrounds; its easy to catch Christian prayers in Sundays and Muslim prayers in
Fridays. As well, many mosques are located behind churches, while other leisure centers such as
pubs, sport centers and community centers are full of diverse people from all over the
neighborhood. This is a very pleasant life way, where any one can enjoy his life style with others.

In fact, Levenshulme is full of different types of public space areas, as there are worship
buildings, pubs, community centers, local markets, permanent local shops, library, sport center,
green spaces, well paved main road, and bike lane. Alongside with a diverse type of public
spaces, there are many attractive annual event takes place in Levenshulme, such as The Market
Festival, Food and Drink Festival and Beer Festival. Those events take place in many areas
around levenshulme and in many different seasons during the year. These festivals create a
great opportunities to locals to present what they has, and for visitors to enjoy their time.

There are many reasons behind the importance of improving public spaces, its not just because
the rich and divers public space assets located in Levenshulme. Actually the well planned public
spaces can have positive economic, health, social and environmental impacts. First, the well-
designed public spaces enhance the economic life in urban centers as it attract many investors,
business and local markets to set in within the proper public spaces fabric of the urban centers,
as well it encourage the visitors to wander within the area which in return increase the market
power. Second, the well planned public spaces can be a main reason behind reducing both, the
amount of obese children and old peoples who suffer from diabetes and heart diseases, plus, it
develops the social, emotional and physical skills of new born and children. Third, the well

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accessible public spaces create an equal free access to everyone regardless the ethnic, gender
and class backgrounds, in return it deepen the democratic approach of the right to equal
citizenship. Finally, the more green space the more air quality is there, and the big green space
can be allocated to wildlife habitats within the city fabric, this would in fact increase the
environmental value of the city compared with rural areas.

Section 1 Identifying the neighborhood, a map of the area:-

As per observations from Levenshulme site visit, and according to Digimap maps, its obviously
noted that most public spaces assets are located around the main neighborhood corridors, in
particular, around Stockport Road and Light Rail way. However, thats not to say that there are
no other public spaces in the neighborhood. There are many other public spaces, but the most
viable public spaces locate within 10 min walk from Stockport road, where the most movement,
economic and social life activities are taking place, along and around Stockport Road. In general,
the focused area of planning will be within this zone.

The public spaces which located within 10 min walk zone from Stockport road can be listed into
five main types; the public buildings, Parks, Open spaces, bike lane, main road and train station.
Those spaces are accessible for all, and most of socio-economic activities are taking place in
these spaces.

To start with public buildings, we can identify fourteen main public buildings, those buildings
can be divided into three types of public buildings: -

1) Worship buildings; such as churches and mosques.

2) Leisure centers; Inspire Centre, Arcadia Library, Arcadia Sports Centre, Swimming Baths,
Library, Swimming Baths, Antiques Village and Norman Foster Home
3) Health and education centers; Chapel Street Primary School and Levenshulme Practice.

Second is parks are one of the most common public spaces and there are two main parks in the
identified zone; Chapel Street Park and Green Bank Playing Fields. Third is the open spaces and
there is about 6 open spaces in the identified zone. Fourth is the bike lane which named
Fallowfield Loop. Fifth is Stockport road, where most of local economic activities take place.
Finally is the train station. (See Figure 1 and 2)

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Figure 1 Public spaces of Levenshulme Neighborhood (Source: Digimap, 2017)

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Figure 2 Public spaces in Levenshulme which located within 10 min walk distance from main central corridor (Stockport
Road) (Source: Google Map, 2017)

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On one hand, its not only the public space assets that will affect the neighborhood planning,
the local community interests and aspirations as well are highly valuable source to develop an
appropriate neighborhood planning. In that sense, we have to explore the main concerns and
interests of local community with regard to public spaces planning. As per Levenshulme Forum,
there were many interests and aspirations arose by local community members, those interests
and aspirations are shaped and adopted by Neighborhood Forum, and following is a short brief
of the local community interest with regard to public spaces:-

1) Provide proper traffic management such as proper pedestrian traffic, traffic lights, cycling
lanes
2) Improve the community facilities, playground and equipment of green spaces
3) Promote local economic activities and business
4) Create places to wonder and enjoy
5) Create shared surface area
6) Create stylish faade along Stockport road
7) Breakdown the barriers between rail station and Stockport road
8) Create multi-functional and attraction car park space
9) retail backing onto car park to be turned into double fronted shop.

As per above concerns, it can be noted that public space is at the center of local community
concerns.

On the other hand, the local council of Manchester alongside with a national community-led
organization called Locality identified many general measures with regard to public spaces. As
per the objectives of Manchester council which drafted in Manchester Local Development
Frameworks, there are many concerns for public space as a driver of urban center prosperity and
urban transport prosperity, as the Manchester Council calls for attractive, popular and social
inclusion public spaces for urban centers. And at the same time it calls for pedestrian, cycling
and disabled friendly public space, on other world it looks for transport as a public space. As
well, Locality organization calls for community engagement in the neighborhood planning
process and it supports the pedestrian links, paths, open spaces and street improvement. These
calls and concerns of Locality and Manchester Council represent a national community and a
city representatives solidarity towards public spaces improvements.

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Section 2 - Basic conditions: -

The demographic statistics and life style can draw in an introduction overview for the sociability,
economic and health lifestyle. Its recommended to go through such considerations to have a
general overview of actual life in Levenshulme comparing to Manchester city and England as
whole. As per latest statistics, there are many community sectors in Levenshulme facing many
challenges with regard to healthy environment.

First, its obviously noted that the adult people are the majority of Levenshulme population; this
is similar to most of England districts. In contrast, the young population weight Aged 16-24 -
in Levenshulme is higher than the young population weight in England as a whole. In fact, the
young population in is about 30% of Levenshulme total population, while the young population
in England is about only 11% of England total population. These statistics demonstrated that the
young people in Levenshulme are taking a big part of community comparing to England as a
whole. (See Figure 03)

Figure 3 Population by age group in Lavenshulme and England (Source: Local Health UK, 2014)

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Second, there are many community sectors are in need for livable public spaces whether for
socializing activities or for the sake of better health environment. On one hand, more than 30%
of Levenshulme pensioners are living alone, this high amount of social isolated pensioners is
taking place all over Manchester. However, the pensioners have less access to improved public
spaces as most of public spaces are not accessible for elderly and disabled people. As well,
about 14% households are living in overcrowded houses, those people more likely to enjoy
being in public spaces in their spare time. (See Table 01)

Table 1 Housing and Living Environment in Levenshulme, Manchester and England (Source: Local Health UK, 20111)

Third, the obese children either in reception year or in 6 years old are one of considerable
community sectors. Public spaces creating a space for people to move, walk, do sports and
physical activities, thus reduce the amount of obese people. In Levenshulme, about 40% of 6
years children are obese, and about 20% of reception year children are obese as well. (See Table
02)

Table 2 Children's weight indicators in Levenshulme, Manchester and England (Local Health UK, 2015)

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These figures and statistics delivers a good data based evidence for important of improved
public spaces. However, there are many other community driven aspirations regarding public
spaces to be taken into consideration as well.

The basic conditions of public spaces in Levenshulme can be examined by on-going observation
for all public spaces. In general, the public spaces in Levenshulme are not met the local
community aspirations. There are many weakness points arose from the site visit, as most of
public spaces seems not popular and useless. For example, many public spaces are not
comfortable for locals, as the visual appearance of these spaces are not maintained, they are
unsecured to be used at nights and there are no opportunities to do any kind of activities on its.

Other public spaces are not support local economy activities; as the public spaces assets are not
own by local community and there is no space allocation for job creation and voluntary
activities. On the other hand, other public spaces are not promoting healthy environment; they
lacks many issues, such as, semi shaded areas, proper waste management, green and open
spaces. Other as well, are not promoting social interaction as they lacks eventual social activities
,spaces for different age groups and spaces for creativity. On the other world, these public
spaces seem dead and not livable to local community. And as well, other public spaces are
accessible at all, as they are not promoting adequate accessibility such as walkability, safe access
to cyclists, and safe access to disabled. And above all of that, many public spaces are not
connected to central corridor of Stockport Road.

All these points are raised by academic students, local community and Levenshulme
Neighborhood Forum representatives during observation from the site visit. But in order to
come up with the standout key issues, we have to deliver in-depth analysis for the current
condition for each public space, using these points raised by local community representatives as
analysis criteria for a multi-dimensional matrix analysis. In doing so, it will become easy to
deliver a proper objectives for public space planning based on the most sensitive issues that
should be addressed and prioritized. (See Table 03)

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Table 3 Levenshulme's Public Spaces - Basic Condition Matrix Analysis (Source: Notes taken during site visit)

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Section 3 Key and standout issues: -

There are many standout issues with regard to public spaces improvement; these issues are
prioritized in the following paragraphs according to the outcome of public spaces basic
condition analysis. The most important issues are to be created, and the less important issues
are to be improved. Taking into consideration to maintain the good issues.

3-1 Public space accessibility: -

Creating proper walkability, safe access to cyclists and disabled, proper access to main corridors
are the most important issues which need to be created in most of public spaces. In term of
walkability, there is a need to create a proper walkable access to public buildings which are not
located in Stockport road, such as churches, mosques, Norman Foster Home, Levenshulme
Library and Levenshulme Swimming Baths. However, Levenshulme Library and Levenshulme
Swimming Baths are useless and deprived buildings which have to be refurbished. As well,
proper walkable access to be created for all listed open spaces, rail station and Fellowfield Loop.
And in term of safe access to cyclists and disabled, all public spaces have to include proper
access to cyclists and disabled, except the parks, school and Fellowfield Loop. On the other
hand, all public spaces located out of Stockport road have to provide proper pedestrian,
disabled and cyclists access to the main road.

.
3-2 Social Interaction: -

The second most important issue is the social interaction in public spaces, as most of public
spaces have not include any social interaction activities, such as eventual social activities and
proper physical activity for different age groups and space for creativity. All public spaces
required a space allocation for creativity, either music, visual or public arts. Antiques Village,
Inspire Center, Green Bank Playfield Park and the school are good examples to rely on regarding
creating spaces for creative activity. As wall many of public buildings and most of open spaces
are lacking activities that suits different age group and eventual social activities.

3-3 Local economy enhancement: -

The third most important issue is local economy enhancement in public spaces, as most of
public spaces have not include any space for job creation and voluntary activities, taking into
consideration that not all the assets of public spaces are owned by local bodies. In general,
most of public spaces lack space allocation for voluntary activates except the market area and

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Inspire Center. As well, there is a need to turn the home of Lord Norman Foster as a local asset
for the sake of tourism attraction. On the other hand most of public building required job
creation activities specially the worship buildings.

3-4 Health Environments: -

In order to deliver a better health environment in public spaces, its better to provide the public
spaces with semi-shaded so as to protect the locals from rainy weather. As well many public
building has to include either open space or green space, as the swimming and library centers
and Antique Village lacks open and green spaces.

3-5 Sense of Comfort: -

Many public spaces lack pleasant visual view. For example the faade of all building located in
Stockport required proper refurbishment works in order to come up with stylish view for locals
and visitors. As well, Fallowfield Loop swimming and library centers are not very secured at
night, there is need to create a secured spaces in these places.

Conclusion:-

After providing a short introduction about the livelihood situation in Levenshulme, and after
identifying and analyzing the most important public spaces, it can be concluded that in term of
public spaces a mush concentration is required to create proper accessibility and social
interaction, then to enhance local economy and health environment and at the end to provide a
better sense of comfort among public spaces.

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Reference List:-

Digmap. (2017). Data Download. Available at:

http://digimap.edina.ac.uk/datadownload/osdownload (Accessed: 14 March 2017).

GOV.UK. (2017). National Planning Policy Framework. Available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-planning-policy-framework--2
(Accessed: 14 March 2017).

Manchester City Council (2012). Local Development Framework. Available at:

http://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/200074/planning/3301/core_strategy (Accessed: 14 March
2017).

Manchester City Council (2017). Statistics & census. Available at:

http://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/200088/statistics_and_census_information (Accessed: 14
March 2017).

Locality (2017). Neighbourhood Plans Roadmap Guide. Available at:

http://locality.org.uk/resources/neighbourhood-planning-roadmap-guide/ (Accessed: 14 March
2017).

Locality (2017). Places & Spaces, The future of community asset ownership. Available at:
http://locality.org.uk/our-work/campaigns/places-and-spaces/ (Accessed: 14 March 2017).

Levenshulme Neighbourhood Planning Forum (2015). Aspirations for Levenshulme. Available at:
http://levenshulmenpf.org.uk/?page_id=106 (Accessed: 14 March 2017).

Love Levenshulme (2015). The Market. Available at: http://lovelevenshulme.org/the-market/

(Accessed: 14 March 2017).

The National Archive (2015). The value of public space. Available at:
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110118095356/http:/www.cabe.org.uk/publications
/the-value-of-public-space (Accessed: 14 March 2017).

Project for Public Spaces (2007). Achieving Great Federal Public Spaces; A Property Managers
Guide. Available at: https://www.pps.org/projects/propertymanagersguide/ (Accessed: 14 March
2017).

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