Manchester is ready to rise to the sustainability challenge

COMMENT Manchester is a city of firsts, a diverse melting pot of cultures, ideas, partnerships and innovation.  Famously, it was the world’s first modern industrial city – Cottonpolis as it was known. Today, it’s still a place of world-defining ideas and of science, trade and commerce, culture, sport and music.  The challenge now for our city is to lead the way again and set a new standard in the green industrial revolution. Following mayor Andy Burnham’s first Green Summit in 2018, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority laid out its Springboard to a Green City Region, outlining its commitment to a carbon-neutral, climate-resilient city region with a thriving natural environment and circular, zero waste economy by 2038.  With a policy framework in place it is now up to the private sector – particularly placemakers and developers – to seize the day. Raising the bar Over the past decade, Greater Manchester’s population has grown by 7% and is fast approaching the 3m mark for total population. As the consequential rapid development has become a reality, there is a need for Manchester to meet the demand, but to do it in an efficient, sustainable and affordable way.  NOMA is determined to play a part in tackling the climate crisis. Our flagship new development, 4 Angel Square, is set to become the first operationally net zero development available on the market. Due for completion in early 2023, 4 Angel Square will raise the bar in the North by delivering grade-A office space that is truly environmentally friendly for today and tomorrow.  Having sector-leading sustainability credentials matters not just to investors and funders – for whom the ESG agenda is essential – but to occupiers too. Rebellious and bold After all, the next generation of employees are more sustainably conscious than ever before, and providing them with the most sustainable working environment and green space can become the important differentiator when it comes to attracting talent. When considering ESG, NOMA’s approach – like the Greater Manchester Springboard to a Greener City Region – has been broad. The “S” is all too often overlooked in developments due to the unquantifiable nature of social initiatives and their impact. After all, our developments only thrive if the people around us are thriving. Investing in public realm not only enriches the natural environment, but also improves social impact and the overall essence of a place. PlantNOMA, an initiative launched to bring gardening back to Manchester’s city centre, is evolving the public realm around the whole NOMA neighbourhood. The project not only brings more beneficial green spaces to the city, but it also creates opportunities for people to connect with nature and with each other by gardening as a community. While there continues to be significant change in the ways we work, build, live and play, the fundamentals have not changed in Manchester. The city’s rebellious, pioneering attitude still lives and will long into the future as we meet the green revolution head on. Dan Hyde is development director at MEPC