What are the world's best sustainability projects?
Thursday 23 November 2017
AS the University of Salford launches its Masters in Sustainability, we asked programme leader Dr Mike Hardman to share his Top 3 global sustainability projects.
3 – ‘A park in the sky’ The Highline – New York City, USA
Mike’s Verdict: “This radical sustainability project in the heart of one of the most complex urban environments in the world, shows how green space can be incorporated into even the busiest of places if we think outside the box, in this case a park in the sky!”
2 – ‘Reclaiming the streets’ Superblocks – Barcelona, Spain
Mike’s Verdict: “I often visit this project when in Barcelona on fieldwork, it is a really interesting project which aims to tackle transport congestion and pollution.Although it will only work in certain cities, the scheme shows how space can be reclaimed for communities, enabling other activities to happen in areas once occupied by cars.
1 – ‘Vertical gardens of Singapore’ Supertree Grove, Singapore
Mike’s Verdict: “These gigantic trees show the exciting potential of growing vertically in the future.They are able to harvest solar energy to light up and hold over 200 specific of plants in their structures.”
Dr Hardman, a geographer known for his work in food security and urban agriculture, promises a unique new opportunity when the first Masters in Sustainability students enrol next September.
“Unlike many sustainability courses, we’ve gone beyond climate change, population growth and the usual topics to line up experts from across the university in everything from housing policy, architecture and planning and transport.
“There are so many jobs in this sector right now – in government, NGOs, education and corporations too, and the Salford model is to allow students to tailor their own course according to their particular interests.”
And he says interest in the course is already heating up: “Savvy people are realising that sustainability, given its growing part in policy, innovation, and technology – is much more than a useful top up to their Bachelor’s degree – it is now a specialist discipline in itself.”
Contact Mike, Programme Leader MSc Sustainability, Environment & Life Sciences, Room G33, Peel Building, University of Salford, UK M5 4WT t: +44 (0) 161 295 2201 e: m.hardman@salford.ac.uk twitter: @DrMikeHardman
You can also talk to us about the MSc Sustainability at our Postgraduate Open Day on Wednesday, November 29, 2017.
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