The future of Greater Manchester

Mistra Urban Futures Greater Manchester arranged on 3-6 November a Sustainable stories exhibition in Manchester. It was an interactive exhibition designed to engage the public in a conversation about the future of Greater Manchester and how it could be made more sustainable. The three themes of the exhibition were based on Mistra Urban Futures focus areas: Fair, Green and Dense cities.

Film, speakers’ corner, stories and workshops

The exhibition drew on work carried out by and for the Mistra Urban Futures Greater Manchester Local Interaction Platform and it included community stories, facts and figures drawn from case studies, workshops, interviews and official Greater Manchester strategy documents. As well as artwork and a short film by the Eco-Schools Team at Temple Primary School; a speakers' corner, at which invited representatives of local communities, organizations and groups gave their perspectives on the nature of a Fair, Green and Dense city, and visual minutes and images created directly in the exhibition space; and an area for members of the public to share their views and stories with community researchers.

Opened by Leader of Manchester City Council and Vice Chancellor of Salford University

The exhibition launch opened with presentations on sustainable cities by Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council and Professor Martin Hall, Vice Chancellor of Salford University. Dr Beth Perry, Director of the Greater Manchester Local Interaction Platform, Centre for Sustainable Urban and Regional Futures then set the scene for a panel discussion and workshop about the core themes and messages of the work.

The exhibition was also funded by the Economic and Social Research Council's Festival of Social Science which was held during the week of 3-10 November 2012.

Read more

Leader of the City Council's blog
Cultural intermediation & the creative economy blog
Biospheric foundation blog