From New York to China: The global projects by the people set to transform Piccadilly Gardens

From Manchester to Manhattan, the architects in the running to redesign Piccadilly Gardens have been responsible for major projects all over the world. Six design teams have been chosen to move forward to the next stage of an international competition to transform the Gardens into a 'world class space'.

Their portfolios include the Etihad Stadium, NOMA and Mayfield as well as New York’s Governors Island, Moscow's parks and an Eden Project in China. The teams have now been shortlisted to make Piccadilly Gardens a 'special place with a strong sense of identity, welcoming and uniquely Mancunian'. It comes as the much-maligned crime hotspot is in store for a £25m revamp.

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The 10-acre city centre site which Manchester council has invited urban design and landscape teams to submit plans for includes Mosley Street, Parker Street and parts of Portland Street and Piccadilly bordering it.

The design brief recognises the importance of a green space in the city centre and envisages a 'place for all' where children can play, events are hosted and the tens of thousands walking through the thoroughfare every day feel safe. It also calls for planting to encourage biodiversity and improve air quality.

The initial stage of the competition - which attracted 10 entries - invited expressions of interest before credentials and experience were assessed. The six shortlisted teams will now be asked to develop detailed concept designs setting out their ideas with the hope of being appointed in 2023.

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While designs for Piccadilly Gardens are drawn up, the Local Democracy Reporting Service has looked at the