Landscape architecture students are to help shape the design of Manchester’s proposed replacement Peace Garden.

The tree-filled memorial space, including the Messenger of Peace statue of a woman with doves by sculptor Barbara Pearson, was removed from St Peter’s Square in 2014 to make way for the improvements such as the second city tram crossing.

But space in the redevelopment of nearby Lincoln Square in Brazenose Street has been provisionally identified as a suitable site for a new Peace Garden.

Around 40 postgraduate students from the Manchester School of Architecture – jointly operated by Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Manchester – have been given a week to devise proposals for the new-look space as part of a project designed to introduce the new students to the city, local industry professionals and each other.

Eddy Fox, Landscape Architecture Programme Leader at the Manchester School of Architecture, said: “This project is an intensive introductory design project which is undertaken by all students on the Master of Landscape Architecture course.

“It is an exciting opportunity for our students to work on proposals for the redesign of a public space in Manchester city centre, which forms part of a wider regeneration scheme and has been proposed as the likely location for a new Manchester Peace Garden, replacing one which previously formed a part of St Peter’s Square.

“The project will be undertaken in close cooperation with The Friends of Manchester Peace Garden, and will be used to generate ideas and concepts which may help to influence the thinking of the council and developers as they take their proposals forward for the space.

“Our students come from a diverse range of backgrounds and from all over the world and considering the instability of global politics and the recent Manchester Arena attack, this appeared to be a project of particular relevance and value to us.”

Concepts are sought that create a striking, inviting and fully accessible space; reflect the meaning and values associated with the idea of peace in the 21st Century; commemorate the people and communities of Manchester who have campaigned for peace and social justice; address contemporary challenges such as climate change, urban density and liveable cities; and re-conceive the idea of the garden in the city as a space of contemplation, regeneration and reconciliation.

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