Manchester's Corridor set to benefit from €24 million 'smart green growth' fund

Manchester is set to land a share of €24 million ‘smart green growth’ fund lead by the European Commission.

Working with the cities of Eindhoven in Holland and Stavanger in Norway in a consortium called Triangulum, the city has been provisionally awarded a share of the pot in a European Commission scheme to demonstrate ‘smart green growth.’

The Manchester part of the project focuses on The Corridor and is led by Manchester City Council, working alongside the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and Manchester-based businesses Siemens and digital technology company Clicks and Links.

The Corridor is located at the heart of Manchester’s knowledge economy, covering some 243 hectares with a 58,000 strong workforce.

The funding will enable investment in technologies from renewable energy and support the increased use of electric vehicles.

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Cities use a large proportion of the world’s resources and need to be in the forefront of environmental improvements.

“New technologies are opening up opportunities all the time and Corridor Manchester has the right conditions to show how smart city districts can help make a positive difference.

Professor John Brooks, vice chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University and chair of the Corridor Board, said: “This funding will help us realise the potential of the Corridor.

“It is large enough to demonstrate new approaches to smart cities at scale and suitably well-connected to attract international attention.

“The strong track record of partnership working in this city will enable to deliver multiple projects in an integrated way.”

Juergen Maier, CEO for Siemens UK said “Siemens is absolutely delighted that with this funding Manchester can push ahead with this project.

“The Corridor has all the right assets for establishing an international smart city district, demonstrating how new technologies can drive growth whilst at the same time reducing carbon emissions.

“We hope to be able to help the project achieve these objectives.”

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