'Regeneration' or untold impact on environment
With regard to the demolishing of large areas of Miles Platting I would like to point out that there would be a consequential rise in pollution due to dust particles and other air born filth. Already the tower block that I live in has a regular depositing of black soot as 'fall out' from the nearby city centre and one of the major road arteries into Manchester city centre. Of course some of this air borne filth is part of the relentless demolishing and building that has gripped Manchester like a fever for many years.
I do not see how any of this can be 'sustainable' and moreover how can it be good for the environment as whole and the quality of life. Indeed, the massive densification of the city as we have seen of late, using up 'blank' and sometimes green areas has added to the impact on the environment in untold ways. Consider the densification of high-rise buildings, the massive amount of raw materials used and the resources used for this. Then again there is the equally massive increase in the amount of people entering the city, the increase in the use of natural resources, gas, electricity and the sewage output from the buildings and water usage; and then of course there will be the increase in quantity of cars and carbon emissions.
Then the other side of regeneration the increase in crime and human conflict. Miles Platting, one of those few remaining spaces around Manchester city centre with large gaps and areas of green and a general sense of spaciousness is now going to have over 11,000 houses, offices and shops built on it and of course this means more far more than an extra 11,000 people occupying that space. As I understand it this would be the second time Miles Platting as been redeveloped, the first one, removing a dense declining sprawl of filth left over from rapid industrial expansion. Now again, it's going to build another denser sprawl as a consequence of the new 'industrial revolution:' that of property/land development.
What do you think the impact on the environment all this is going to have? I guess no one will know! But it will have an affect, not least of all on quality of life in this increasingly built up, transient city; more cars drawn into the area, the using up of resources and waste produced from so many thousands of people and of course all this impacting on climate change. Let us not forget the most immediate and important impact of this 'regeneration', that of the breaking up of communities, which is such
an important thing in this alienated diverse mass society. Here, 'regeneration' demolishes (community) life, something architects, town planners, council members and profit cannot build.
All this under the banner of 'regeneration' and 'sustainable communities?' How can a hundred fold increase in people and services be sustainable? None of this is 'sustainable' or indeed is it justified, except in terms of future investment and the making of profit. After all land development is the new industrial revolution and like the first industrial revolution, it builds without limit, anywhere and everywhere, whilst attracting the masses into the city bearing any real concern for environmental consequence but for long term profit. There goes the decline of the world. Here to the future modern slums.
It worked for me
My heart sank when I first heard about the plans for regeneration of the area. I don't like change and didn't want to lose the friends and neighbours that I had. However the more I railed against it, in my heart I knew I wouldn't be able to do anything about it.
So I decided to give in gracefully and make the most of the situation; I moved from my house and began to make the new house 'home'. I can honestly say I am happy now in my new home, I made the effort to get to know the neighbours as soon as possible, extending the hand of friendship and it has been returned threefold! We all have teething troubles with 'new' things but the neighbours all supported each other and problems soon got sorted out. The new house is slightly smaller than my other house but it is less draughty so making it cosier. I am looking forward to going to bed in the winter without having to swathe myself in countless layers and double thickness duvet! The kitchen is better planned out and I have plenty of cupboard space. The bathroom is so easy to keep clean and is also warm.
So the thought of the huge change in my life, that frightened me at first, has turned out to be a happy and positive experience!