Nature & Construction in the City

Swansea has seen a fresh wave of construction since the COVID pandemic. We’ve already seen the social benefits bestowed upon the city by the shiny and golden Swansea Arena. I was fortunate enough to be there for John Bishop’s opening show in which he had nothing but praise for the arena and the teams who worked tirelessly to deliver it.

Anyone who has visited the arena will know that it stands proudly above a 1.1 acre manmade ‘park-in-the-sky’. A key goal within the scope of the project was to introduce more greenery into the city and there’s good reason why.

Being the geek that I am, I regularly watch a YouTube channel called ‘The B1M’ (no affiliation). It’s a construction channel which dives deep into worldwide construction projects and interviews stakeholders in all manner of roles. Astute viewers will have noticed a growing trend in the channel’s output as well as in the output of countless development, construction and political outlets; Green is the future.

There is a push within the industry to incorporate swathes of green space within developments both on the horizontal and vertical plains. Let’s look at two projects worldwide which demonstrate this global trend before bringing it back to sunny old Swansea.

The High Line – New York

The High Line stands as a captivating project that marked the transformation of a forsaken railway line traversing Manhattan’s west side. In this remarkable endeavor, developers breathed new life into the disused tracks, fashioning a 1.45-mile-long elevated park and greenway. The collaborative effort behind the High Line’s design featured the talents of James Corner Field Operations, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, and Piet Oudolf.

This abandoned rail spur has undergone a remarkable metamorphosis, evolving into a dynamic “living system” that draws inspiration from an array of disciplines, including landscape architecture, urban design, and ecology. The High Line, a testament to innovative urban revitalisation, found its inspiration in the 4.7-kilometer (2.9-mile) long Coulée verte, a tree-lined walkway, similar in concept, which graces the city of Paris and was completed in 1993.

The mental health foundation have highlighted a positive correlation between urban green space and improved mental health. So developments like The High Line are more than just architectural muscle flexing.

The High Line shows greenery on the horizontal plane, but what about the vertical?

Bosco Verticale – Milan

Since its grand opening in October 2014, these two residential towers in Milan have embraced the challenge of combating climate change in a rather unique way. They’ve become home to over 15,000 plants, showcasing a rich tapestry of more than 90 different species of trees, shrubs, and floral delights. This verdant marvel essentially forms a 3- hectare forest in the heart of the city, capable of soaking up an impressive 30 tons of carbon dioxide each year.

The Bosco Verticale has earned its fair share of accolades and recognition within the architectural world. In 2014, it clinched the prestigious International Highrise Award, while the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat lauded it as the “most beautiful and innovative skyscraper in the world” in 2015. Furthermore, in 2019, it was duly celebrated as one of the “fifty most iconic skyscrapers worldwide.”

Biophilic Living – Swansea

So what does all of this have to do with sunny old Swansea? It’s clear that current trends in construction and urban development place an emphasis on green space and incorporation of foliage into our cities for the purposes of combating climate change, improving mental health and forwarding architectural innovation. Swansea, is not immune from the future and is choosing to march headfirst into such innovation.

The underway project is set to introduce two sun-drenched greenhouses at the rooftop level, with the larger of the two housing an aquaponics system specially designed to yield up to 4.5 tonnes of fresh fruits, vegetables, salads, and herbs annually.

This innovative aquaponics system creates a continuous, symbiotic cycle where the waste produced by fish living in on-site tanks provides valuable nutrients to nourish the greenhouse plants. Once the water has served its purpose, it is diligently filtered and reintroduced into the system.

Biophilic Swansea’s forward-thinking approach to aquaponics and its accompanying fish tanks and equipment will be developed in collaboration with Swansea University’s Centre  for Sustainable Aquatic Research (CSAR). Furthermore, these features will also serve as an educational and public exhibit on the ground floor of the tower.

One of the fundamental visions of Biophilic Swansea is to empower its residents to operate and oversee the urban farm as a social enterprise. This idea is rooted in research that underscores the significance of reconnecting with nature for our overall well-being. It also recognises the positive community and health benefits that arise from cultivating food and living in closer harmony with the natural world.

The project takes the form of a mixed-use development, encompassing affordable and shared ownership housing, alongside retail and low-carbon commercial office spaces. This blend of high-quality inner-city apartments is expected to cater to a diverse range of occupants, including families, professionals, and older individuals. It aims to strike a balance between the recent influx of student housing and a more varied mix of accommodations.

The existing building, once the home of Poundland, will undergo a transformation that involves adding new floors and incorporating a fresh tower element at the rear. This expansion will lead to the creation of a new, multi-functional public area, which is destined to become a lively hub for public and cultural activities and a prime destination for events and street markets. This public space effectively links the Biophilic Swansea project with the new Council-led development at 71-72 The Kingsway, situated on the former Oceana nightclub site. The latter is set to provide state-of-the-art workspace facilities.

Swansea and the future

As I stroll through the cityscape and witness the presence of cranes punctuating the skyline, I can’t help but feel a sense of optimism. To me, these cranes symbolise a city that is taking the reins of its own destiny, investing in a brighter future for its residents, and creating opportunities for both employment and housing that residents can take pride in. However, I must confess that the tone of discourse on social media paints a less cheerful picture.

Let me be clear: I wholeheartedly believe in the importance of free expression and the right to voice one’s opinions. Yet, it can be rather draining to encounter a constant stream of disparaging comments on every news article or post related to Swansea’s pursuit of a better future. These comments often emanate from individuals who seem resistant to change. At worst, their comments dismiss the idea that Swansea can evolve into a better version of itself, and at best, they express valid concerns about the allocation of investment in the city. For instance, questions like “Do we really need more student accommodation?” or “Why isn’t the council funding project X?” are frequently raised.

It’s crucial to remember that every individual is entitled to their viewpoint, and their concerns should never be brushed aside. However, it’s equally important to recognise that these billion-pound development initiatives are not embarked upon lightly. Extensive cost-benefit analyses are conducted, guided by far-reaching development strategies that aim to enhance the city and the lives of its people.

It’s not uncommon for many to view large-scale innovative projects as ego boosters for local officials. However, I would argue that most Swansea residents likely have little knowledge of who sits on the city council. Any attempt at grandstanding by these projects would likely go unnoticed by the majority.

In general, construction activities in urban centres serve as catalysts for economic growth. When these projects are forward-thinking and have a keen eye on the future, the city is indeed in a fortunate position. Swansea has taken a proactive approach, charging boldly into a future marked by innovation. As its citizens, we should extend our support and contribute to its progress.