Grow Green project for healthier Manchester

Manchester is set to lead a new European Commission-funded project to help cities create a healthier urban environment.

Grow Green is a five-year project which helps cities create high-quality green spaces at the heart of local communities. It will demonstrate how ‘greening’ can help manage the risks of climate change, improve health outcomes and ensure protection and improvement for the natural environment, while they continue to develop and grow.

The project, which involves partner cities from across Europe and is set to kick off this summer, will provide resources to build on the many greening projects already underway across Manchester, along with Manchester’s Chinese sister city Wuhan.

Through Grow Green, residents in West Gorton will be supported to transform their area into an exemplar green neighbourhood, with trees, parks, community planting and other environmental initiatives incorporated to support local wildlife, reduce flood risk and achieve the wide range of leisure and health benefits that green spaces provide.

Maggie Newton, chair of the West Gorton Residents Steering Group, said: “Residents are thrilled that this funding has been secured for West Gorton. Environmental improvements will enhance the local area, add value to the ongoing regeneration of the neighbourhood and provide much needed quality green space for residents and visitors to enjoy."

Angeliki Stogia, executive Member for environment at Manchester City Council, said: “Manchester is a city with ambitious commitments on climate change and environmental improvement, which is why we're keen to take full advantage of the Grow Green project.

"Building green space into our neighbourhoods creates real benefits for Manchester residents and we look forward to working with the community in West Gorton and with groups across the city to help bring about the local improvements they want to see in their area.

“By collaborating with our residents and businesses, plus our partners across Europe and in Wuhan, we will support and inspire each other to create healthier, greener neighbourhoods for the future.”