It might be helpful to some readers to have a graphic representation of what Steady State Manchester means, and to contrast it with the orthodox growth model.

So firstly, this is the model adopted by the Manchester Partnership[1].

The Manchester Partnership model

And here is how it is described:

“The three arrows at the centre of the diagram are the strategy’s core drivers. They take the economic success illustrated on the left of the diagram, and connect it to the better outcomes for Manchester people described on the right. The arrows are called spines because they cut through and support all the actions that need to be taken in order to address Manchester’s priorities. The prerequisite to the spines is to create the conditions for sustainable economic success and growth.”

We suggest a model, that although different in some respects, has some important similarities:

Steady State Manchester’s model

And here is our corresponding description – the bits in italics show how we depart from the orthodox model.

“The three arrows at the centre of the diagram are the strategy’s core processes and intermediate outcomes. They rest on the foundation the earth’s ecosystems give us, which we nurture, and the locally centred economy of our city and surrounding area – taking the economic success included on the left of the diagram.  They connect these foundations to the better outcomes for Manchester people described on the right. The arrows are called spines because they cut through and support all the actions that need to be taken in order to address Manchester’s priorities.  The spines help to create the conditions for a society that is worth living in where we all have enough.  The curved arrow at the bottom indicates the impact of our lifestyles on both ecosystem and economy, and our responsibility to plan, protect and nurture.”

Download this material as pdf.  Steady State Manchester in Pictures

[1]          Manchester Partnership (2011)  State of the City 2011/12Report.http://www.manchesterpartnership.org.uk/downloads/file/107/chapters_1-3_foreword_executive_summary_introduction_and_context