Perspectives: How Can Sustainability Be Understood in Greater Manchester

Boylan, E. Downey, C., Ellen, D., Danger, L., Haywood, P., Leese, R., Menzies, W., Milburn, R., Surtees, A., Whinnom, A., Hodson, M. & Perry, B. (2012). Perspectives: How Can Sustainability Be Understood in Greater Manchester. Greater Manchester Working Paper No. 2. Manchester: SURF, Salford University.

Platform
Sheffield-Manchester
Publication type
Report/Paper/Working paper/Brief
Journal
Buildings, Housing and Transport
Published year

 

Abstract

In this Perspectives Essay, written for the University of Salford and Mistra Urban Futures GMLIP programme, Eamonn Boylan promotes a view of sustainability based on transforming the quality of provision of public agencies as a means of creating opportunities for people to make logical choices that support sustainable outcomes and increase personal independence.

Any sustainable city must be a place that can provide its people with accessible means to achieve their aspirations, both now and in the future. A sustainable city will enable its people to make logical choices that support sustainable outcomes and increase personal independence.

This means far more than the provision of high quality infrastructure, green and ecologically sustainable environment and low carbon economy, though all of these are key elements. It also requires the existence of high levels of skills in the city’s workforce, of high levels of innovation in the business base and, critically, of an urban culture that promotes respect, independence and achievement for all of the city’s people and diverse communities.

Related publications