Manchester architecture

 The old:

and the new:

Manchester and Birmingham – urban renewal and the contest for Second City

I returned to both cities after spending a long time away. What a change.

I used to spend a lot of time in Manchester – between 1989 and 1998 I regularly visited friends, spent time in the city and worked with some large customers. Manchester in the late 1980’s and early 90’s was pretty run down. The Arndale Centre was a mess of mustard-yellow tiles and run down shops. The only saving grace for Manchester was a stunning music and clubbing scene.

Birmingham in the late 80’s and early 90’s was dreadful – a true eyesore. The Bull Ring centre, endless concrete, fighting buses and cars to get up New Street. Going out was hit and miss (dreadful clubs, very little good live music – remember the Hummingbird!)

Both have changed in the last 15 years.

Birmingham discovered itself; built the ICC, redeveloped Broad Street, renovated and beautified the previously derelict canals. The city centre and surrounding area followed; the Arcadian, the new New Street, Centenary Square, the trendy new Jewelry Quarter and to top it all the new Bull Ring.

Manchester was aided in it’s redevelopment by the massive bomb of 1996. In the last decade Manchester has changed beyond recognition. From the newest – Beetham Tower and Spinningfields, to other work – Urbis, the Triangle and a complete face-lift of Castlefields and the area around Piccadilly.

There has always been rivalry between Birmingham and Manchester as to the title of ‘Second City’ – since redevelopment of both cities there has been even more:

• http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/4293814.stm
• http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/2253035.stm
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_city_of_the_United_Kingdom

So who wins?

Well – both cities have transformed their city centres. The hub of each city is now clean, vibrant and both feel a lot more alive – and a lot safer – than 15 years ago.

Birmingham seems to have been more daring – pulling down the bad (Bull Ring) and preserving the good (The Rotunda, canal area). The new Selfridges building is architecturally visually very striking. Unique in Britain, more a reminder of the Esplanade in Singapore than anything from the Midlands.

Manchester does seem to have done a good job in consistency inside the inner ring road. The city is divided into distinct quarters; each of which has its own personality. Nothing like that in Birmingham.

In terms of the spread out from the city it’s a different story. Much of Manchester – from the city out to Salford, Salford Quays and then out the east side – has been really changed. The rest looks like it always did.

Birmingham however seems to have stopped redevelopment at the edge of the city centre. Beyond that it’s the same old Birmingham. I pity any convention tourist who happens to walk 400 metres too far after a night out.

Sorry to say this – especially for the family in Birmingham – but Manchester wins this contest hands-down.