The first meeting of the tenth series focussed on Greater Manchester. Manchester has undergone a renaissance over the last two decades, and the centre now looks like a Continental city with modern trams, some great architecture, and an extensive high quality public realm. The results are credited to the proactive role of the City Council under the long-standing partnership of the Chief Executive Sir Howard Bernstein and the leader Sir Richard Leese. Their leadership has extended to the ten authorities of Greater Manchester allowing conurbation-wide governance structures to be developed for the good of the whole city.
Our study tour to Manchester took advantage of the fast Pendelino trains, and also the trams for a guided tour of recent developments. Highlights of the tour included Media City and the Lowry centre in Salford as well as a walk through Castlefield Park, where regeneration started with the reuse of historic buildings along the restored canal.
Our visit provided opportunity to meet up with local planners and addressed the following questions:
- How can improvements to local connectivity be used to boost wellbeing and regeneration?
- What more can be done to tackle the roots of urban poverty, and particularly access to good and affordable housing?
- How can local authorities mobilise investment (public and private), and what can London and greater Manchester learn from each other?
- What makes for successful city leadership in tough times?
The Briefing paper and report of the visit are available for download to the right.
