Local Cultures – Global Spaces

Abstract

Manchester has undergone several distinct phases of urban development that have left a lasting imprint on its landscape and culture. This paper revisits the urban phases of the city to argue that its contribution to global development and culture is not only limited to the first Industrial Revolution, but extends to the recent day with the emergence of the city on the digital economy scene. We begin by highlighting four significant phases that we feel have shaped the city from the pre-Industrial Revolution era to its resurgence in recent decades. Phase 1- pre-18th century, Phase 2 and the Industrial Revolution (Late 18th Century – Early 20th Century) when the city witnessed an exponential increase in population, economic prosperity, and industrialization, and Phase 3 (1910s – Late 1990s) when the quality of its urban spaces deteriorated alongside the economic decline and the emergence of slums. We then focus on Phase 4, the Hacienda Period and the development of the City of Manchester and Salford Quays, a revival underpinned by technological advancements and the shift towards a knowledge-based economy. By adopting a Latourian perspective, we identify and describe the city as a hybrid of human and non-human actors shaping its development. As the city has been embracing digital technologies and innovation, a thriving tech sector has started to emerge. Old industrial spaces have been repurposed into hubs for creative industries or apartments for the younger generations pouring into the city, bridging the city’s industrial heritage with its aspiring digital future. We conclude by arguing that Manchester’s shift from traditional industrial production to the information age will continue to shape the city and solidify its identity as a global metropolis in the years to come.