HERE'S an interesting press release from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). We think you have to be a member to apply, but if anybody wants to send a pretty picture of their design to us we'll publish it.
Here's the press release. You may want to read this as well about The Meadows, its history and potential.
Ambitious architects could gain an international reputation with the launch of a competition to design a new pedestrian bridge for Salford.
RIBA Competitions has joined forces with Salford City Council in asking architects and engineers to put forward concepts for the new bridge, which would cross the River Irwell and join some of Salford's untapped green spaces to residential areas.
The bridge is the next step in the IRP project, and is expected to be an iconic creation linking The Crescent (A6) with The Meadows.
The competition is open to registered architects and engineers worldwide. Team collaborations are encouraged and can either be architect or engineering led.
The area where the bridge is set to be constructed - The Meadows - covers around seven hectares and forms the northern section of the Irwell River Park (IRP) project.
IRP will be an international waterfront destination. The project, involving a partnership between Salford, Manchester and Trafford councils, will be the catalyst for major economic expansion in the area as it seeks to link up £3 billion of investment through greater use of the River Irwell and the Manchester Ship Canal.
The bridge is the next step in the IRP project, and is expected to be an iconic creation linking The Crescent (A6) with The Meadows.
View from The Meadows into the city
The IRP project has already enjoyed a £660 million public and private sector investment.
And three new bridges have already been built across the Irwell and the Manchester Ship Canal, as part of plans to improve direct connections at key sites across Salford such as MediaCityUK and Greengate, alongside a bridge link to Manchester at Spinningfields.
The new bridge will play a crucial role in connecting these areas of Salford to the £650 million redevelopment of Salford Central near to the University of Salford, including the £10 million transformation of Chapel Street, and some of the city's beautiful green spaces.
Digital submissions only are required at stage one and it is the intention to shortlist three schemes for the second stage with each shortlisted entrant receiving honoraria of £4,000 + VAT.
The Judging Panel includes Renato Benedetti, McDowell + Benedetti acting as the RIBA Adviser, and the City Mayor of Salford.
For further details and to enter please visit the competition website. The closing date for Stage 1 submissions is 5 September 2013.
Meadows
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