New Islington Millennium Village in Manchester

New Islington Millennium Village in Manchester

1. Problems with the 'Cardroom' estate

   • Only half of the 204 homes were occupied.
   • Infamous for high crime rates and social deprivation
   • Ugly, old buildings.

2. Aims

   • Received funding for regeneration project in 2002 with Urban Splash (developers) have been working with the government on this project.
   • Aims:
     • Happy community
     • Wide range of high quality housing
     • Convenient facilities (eg: transport & shops)
     • Employment opportunities
     • Safe & clean environment
     • 'Make it a good and beautiful place to live'

3. Environmental improvements

   • 3000metres of canalside
   • 300 trees planted
   • 2 garden islands
   • Orchard planted
   • A beach was created
   • Private gardens and patios
   • Boreholes providing up to 25 litres per second of naturally filtered water.
   • Recycling areas

4. Improvements in the community

   • Local primary school
   • Play areas & parks put in place
   • Football pitch created
   • Healthcentre
   • A creche
   • Village hall
   • On the street & underground parking (total of 1400 spaces)
   • New shops, restaurants, cafes and
   • 50 mooring spaces available on the canal
   • Metrolink stop very close and lots of new bus stops and bus routes available.

5. Housing improvements

   • 66 houses built
   • 500 2-3 storey apartments
   • 34 urban barns
   • Central heating provided in the housing
   • About 2500 new residents to move into the area.
   • Old residents are guaranteed a new house

6. Criticisms of the New Islington Millennium Village

   • The ultra modern building designs are not to everyone's taste
   • The emphasis on security may lessen the community spirit.
   • As the project is still going on it is hard to evaluate the success of it and what it's criticisms are.
   • When the new residents move in it will put the area to test. Also the addition will be testing to manage.

Images and files in the map