Have your say on plans for the future of the city centre. Our city centre is a dynamic destination for learning, work, living, cultural experiences, shopping and relaxation. It is vital to the growth of the economy of the city as a whole and of Greater Manchester. Significant further growth is expected over the next few years in the economy, population and geography of the city centre, bringing opportunities and challenges. Our draft ‘Strategic Plan’ explains how we will ensure the city centre continues to be a major economic and cultural force in the North West and beyond. It covers: What has been achieved since the last Strategic Plan was published The updated vision for the city centre The priorities over the next few years for each city centre neighborhood We would like your views and ideas. Please take a look and send us your comments. How the city centre strategy fits in a national, Greater Manchester and local context. National context - Northern Powerhouse By joining together, the Northern cities can become a powerful economic area, re-balance the economic dominance of London and strengthen the national economy. Manchester (and the city centre as a driver of the economies of Greater Manchester and the North West) are at the forefront of this, and crucial to the connected ‘Northern Powerhouse.’ Greater Manchester councils have agreed a ‘devolution’ (the transfer of certain powers from government to a local level) settlement. It will help us to grow the economy whilst improving residents’ quality of life. Councils will keep their existing powers, and be given additional tools to develop quality places for people to live, work and do business. A new elected Mayor will represent the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (a group which consists of a directly elected leaders from each of Greater Manchester’s local authorities) and have responsibility for the new powers and resources. Devolution will mean changes to housing, planning, transport and improvements to resident skills, health and social care, and a reduction in unemployment across the region. Manchester, along with other northern cities has developed the ‘One North’ proposal – to improve transport connection between northern cities by investing in bus services, highways, rail, logistics, ports and airports, making journeys shorter, better and more reliable. This will stimulate business and the job market. 1 To help strengthen science, knowledge and culture, the city centre will have two new centres of excellence – a theatre and performance space at St John’s and the Sir Henry Royce Institute for advance materials research and innovation. Greater Manchester The Greater Manchester Strategy sets out how by 2020, the Manchester city region will have sustainable economic growth and a more connected, talented and greener city region where everyone contributes to and benefits from sustained prosperity. The GM Strategy’s ambition is to make Manchester a world class city through two main themes; Growth: Conditions will be created so that ambitious business and economic growth targets for the region can be met. Reform: The strategy wants more people in jobs and less demand on public services. In particular, youth unemployment will be reduced by improving their skills (working in partnership with employers to identify exactly what skills they are looking for in employees) and by increasing digital and transport connectivity. Several public and private organisations will make up the ‘Manchester Growth Company.’ This group will support the delivery of the priorities in the GM Strategy. Local context – The Manchester Strategy The Manchester Strategy is the long-term vision for Manchester and how we plan to achieve, by 2025, a world class city with: A competitive, dynamic, sustainable economy channeling our distinctive strengths in science, advanced manufacturing, creative and digital. Highly skilled, enterprising, industrious people National and international connectivity Climate change impacts being limited Residents from all backgrounds that feel safe, can inspire be successful and live well A welcoming atmosphere that is clean, attractive, rich in culture and outward looking. It states that we will achieve this by: Creating new jobs accessible to Manchester residents Making sure everyone earns at least a living wage Reducing the gap between the wages of people who live here and the wages of people who work here Improving the school results to significantly above UK averages Increasing the number of graduates living here Improving residents’ health and activity levels Cutting carbon emissions by 41% by 2020 with more reduction plans beyond 2030 Pioneering sustainable design 2 Building up a good mix of well designed, energy efficient homes for sale and rent Developing a better quality of life with improved green spaces and world class sport, leisure and cultural facilities Encouraging a strong sense of citizenship and pride. Increasing productivity to benefit the city and the UK as a whole. We will continue to build and invest through partnerships like Manchester Life to boost housing, and support new developments like St. John's. We will expand cultural prospects and jobs. By 2025 we want areas like Irk Valley, Collyhurst and Ancoats transformed with good outdoor spaces well connected to the city centre. The areas around Oxford Road, Eastlands, Central Park, Airport City and the city centre will be major areas for new jobs, many in new high-growth industries. The city centre performs a number of key functions for the city and for Greater Manchester: 1.) As a driver of economic growth and a major employment base – The city centre hosts over 40% of all the jobs in Manchester and 10% of all the jobs in Greater Manchester, and is a significant driver of regional economic growth. 2.) As an increasingly popular residential centre – In the 1990’s only a few thousand people lived in the city centre. That number is now nearly 50,000. 3.) As a major visitor destination – The city centre is rich in culture, sport and leisure facilities and is increasingly popular with foreign and domestic visitors. 4.) As a place to relax and spend time – The city has a number of green spaces, squares and public spaces which can be used to stage events and activities. Large suburban parks like Heaton Park, Hulme Park and Platt Fields park are easily accessible via public transport. Future city centre developments include proposals for new public spaces. Achievements since the 2009 Strategic Plan was published. Growth and development – The population has increased vastly, in particular amongst people between the ages of 25 and 29 (due in part to more graduates remaining, greater economic growth and more employers.) Commercial/residential/leisure developments on the city centre boundaries: . Ancoats and New Islington to the east. The Green Quarter and NOMA to the north. Irk Valley and New Cross to the north east. Castlefield and St. Georges and to the south west . 3 These areas are becoming increasingly popular places to live, boosting the popularity and use of the city centre further. Change in how the city operates in terms of funding and policy – There is and will be greater local governance and control, firstly through the ‘City Deal’ with government, and in the future via the Devolution Agreement for Greater Manchester. Manchester Corridor – Committed and planned investments of £1.5bn over the next 5 years by University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and the Central Manchester University Trust (CMFT) which will have new research and science park facilities. Funding approved for the £60 million Graphene Engineering Research Centre (GEIC). Funding has also been found for a £235 million Sir Henry Royce Advanced Materials Institute based at the University of Manchester. Spinningfields- Over £1bn in private investment has made Spinningfields the business destination of choice and secured over 15,000 jobs in the area. NOMA- Completion of the Cooperative Group’s head office and new Public Square as part of the NOMA redevelopment. The National Football Museum- Opened in 2012 after a £8.5m refurbishment and attracted 350,000 visitors in less than a year. St Peter’s Square- The Square underwent major re-landcapting and improvement works as part of the refurbishment of the Town Hall Extension and Central Library and the relocation of the Cenotaph. Further developments have taken place including No. 1 St Peters Square. First Street redevelopment- HOME opened along with a 4* hotel, retail and Public outdoor spaces. New parking facilities were also delivered as part of this work. Manchester International Festival – The 2013 festival had an economic impact of £38m. Refurbishment of Victoria Station and Northern Hub rail scheme – This development will improve links between a number of Northern locations. Chetham’s School of Music -The expansion and refurbishment has been completed. Metrolink- A £1.5bn expansion including the second city crossing. Hotels and leisure investments – 21 hotels have been developed over the last 5 years with 21 more planned. Over 100,000 jobs are estimated to be created in Greater Manchester over the next decade and the city centre will be an important driver in this growth in 4 areas like financial and professional services, retail and cultural and creative industries. City centre snapshot and key facts. Population The population of the city centre has trebled in the last decade and is now almost 50,000, thanks to the new homes created within the city centre and the development of new neighbourhoods on the traditional city centre boundaries - Ancoats and New Islington to the east and the Green Quarter to the north. The population will continue to rise in the future as further planned housing developments expand the city centre residential area. There has been a 50% rise in the proportion of people aged 25 to 29 living in the city centre. Forecasts predict the population for the city as a whole will reach 600,000 by 2025.