Milton Keynes Council has published its Strategy for 2050 which describes a future for Milton Keynes as a "world-renowned green city".
Strengthening the things that make Milton Keynes special, up to 90,000 new jobs, equal opportunities for all, ‘lifelong’ homes that suit people at all stages of their life, and a pioneering electric road tram system are among the aspirations for the MK of tomorrow.
Local people have been instrumental in shaping the strategy, which attracted hundreds of comments and ideas in a consultation earlier this year. It aims to inspire urban planners and investors to be innovative and to capitalise on MK’s status as the fastest growing city in the country.
MK will be home to more than 400,000 people by 2050. By this point a new university, MK:U, will be attracting the best and brightest minds to study, live and work in the city.
Milton Keynes will be carbon negative, having already achieved the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. And CMK will be an even more bustling and vibrant place to live, work and spend time.
A world-renowned green city
The strategy sets out how MK will contribute to tackling the climate emergency and be a green city competing on the world’s stage. Investment will continue in waste recovery and reducing emissions as well as expanding MK’s parks, lakes and wildlife areas.
Homes for the future
More homes will be affordable, and the needs of older residents will be built in to their design, and to the design of communities. Homes should be readily adaptable, meaning people have a home for life if they choose. The strategy sets out a clear commitment to establishing MK as a Dementia Friendly City.
Smarter travel
New super-routes for cyclists and e-scooters, better bus services and an innovative electric-powered tram system all form part of the smarter travel proposals, making it easier for people to get around MK. Unlike traditional trams, new mass-rapid transport vehicles could run within the existing grid road network and could be driverless.
Leader of MK Council, Cllr Pete Marland said: “This bold strategy has the scope to build a brighter future for generations to come. We’re determined MK will continue to be a greener and cleaner city as well as a fairer and kinder one. These are the things that really matter to our residents, and the council will strive to secure innovative and sustainable investment to make this vision a reality.”
The strategy follows a recommendation from the MK Futures 2050 Commission, which asked MK Council to take a new long-term view of the future growth of the city.
The Council’s Cabinet will receive the MK Futures strategy on 15 December. The full report can be found on the MK Futures website.
© MKFM News 2020
