Vanishing Skyline
In consequence of decades of environmental incompetence, urban growth, and increased transportation emissions, East Manchester is headed for severe air pollution by 2054. Due to lax regulations and poor planning, pollution has increased, putting citizens at greater risk of serious health problems and rendering a sizable portion of the city almost uninhabitable.
By rethinking East Manchester using urban planning techniques that reduce pollution exposure and improve air quality, this project proactively responds. Our goal is to optimize air circulation and lower pollution concentration across the urban fabric by modifying important spatial factors including building heights, street networks, block shape, building shape.
A generative urban design framework forms the basis of the project, backed by a specially designed computational tool that generates and assesses hundreds of design iterations. Critical performance measures, such as air circulation, sunshine availability, green space proximity, outdoor comfort, and population density, are used to evaluate each iteration. The creation of an environmentally conscious, high-performing urban model is guided by these metrics.
By revamping East Manchester now, this initiative provides a repeatable blueprint for communities dealing with environmental degradation, turning polluted regions into resilient, livable, and breathable urban spaces.
