Manchester: A Guide to Recent Architecture

Manchester is a city undergoing continual change. Rich in heritage, diverse in nature, it is uniquely characterized by its inherent ability to transform itself. Originally known as 'King Cotton', Manchester was the leading textile and cotton-manufacturing center in Great Britain. Following the decline of its manufacturing base in the late 1960s and 1970s, traditional industries were replaced by diverse forms of employment, including banking, new technology and the service industries. The massive Arndale Shopping Centre opened in 1976, reflecting the changing character of the city, transforming itself into the new commercial and retail epicenter of the north-west of England. June 1996 witnessed a defining moment in Manchester's turbulent history, with an IRA bomb explosion acting as the catalyst for change. The book is about the city's rebirth, and its changing identity. It documents the pioneering spirit and ingenuity of the planners, architects and developers who have shaped and redefined the essence of a city in motion.