During the pandemic, more and more non-cycler users start using the loop as a strolling trail to avoid people and to get fresh air, which seems to be a signal for people's unconsciously calling for healing in nature. It leads me to my thesis question: How can the Fallowfield-Loop play an essential role in improving the human & society well-being in Manchester City during and beyond the pandemic?
I begin by exploring the potential of the Fallowfield Loop(Floop) in terms of Natural Therapy, however, some site limitations are noticed. The site has a relatively light pedestrian flow compared to the cycling users. The 8 miles traffic-free cycling path and pedestrian walkway is lack of resting area with benches for people to slow down or stay to enjoy the green space. Many trash and dieback Trees found on site. To address the site issues, 3 Design Strategies are proposed:
1. Extend the Floop (green corridor) to the City centre.
2. Link up the Floop with the surrounding open spaces and create actual circulation ‘’Loops”
3. Propose a Forest Therapy Trail to encourage people to nature
By improving the site, he Floop could provide the urban residents with easy access to green space, enjoy exercise, relaxation, solace, and respite during the pandemic and encourage social interaction and reconnect the community, facilitate Individual and social well-being beyond.
The Secret Lake, as a key landscape feature of the Floop, has the great potential to be the proposed Retreat Centre because of its natural beauty and calming atmosphere. To address site issues such as Littering, broken circulation and vacant space, and encourage more people to visit and get retreat from nature, a landscape design proposal is presented.
