Ecological Narratives Group 1

This archive documents the research and thesis design project Reclaiming the River, investigating how the River Mersey became a valuable commodity for private industries during the industrial revolution, and subsequently, how their presence has caused untold damage to the environment and accessibility to nature. The transition towards decarbonisation in the UK, marked by the closure of Fiddler’s Ferry Power Station in March 2020, presents an exciting opportunity to reimagine these post-industrial sites as sustainable destinations that work to restore the environment from the direct harm caused by fossil fuels, whilst valuing their industrial heritage within local communities. This thesis project endeavours to achieve this through a new sustainable industry in the form of a mussel farm, due to the mussel’s ability to biofilter contaminants from water. The whole site has been transformed to become a healthy destination with walking, cycling and sailing available, as well as improving biodiversity.

Click to explore how we can Reclaim the River: